CHFI Computer Forensics Fundamentals and Process Practice Question
This CHFI practice question tests your understanding of computer forensics fundamentals and process. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
During a forensic examination of a Windows system, the investigator finds a file named 'notes.txt' that contains a list of passwords. The file's last modified timestamp is before the incident date, but its last accessed timestamp is during the incident. Which type of evidence is this file considered?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Circumstantial evidence
The file 'notes.txt' has a last modified timestamp before the incident but a last accessed timestamp during the incident. This indicates the file was opened or read during the incident, but not modified. Such indirect evidence suggests the attacker may have viewed the passwords, but does not directly prove the act of using them. Therefore, it is circumstantial evidence because it requires inference to connect the file access to the incident.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Circumstantial evidence
Why this is correct
The access timestamp is circumstantial; it implies the file was opened, but other explanations are possible.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Best evidence
Why it's wrong here
Best evidence refers to original documents; this file could be original, but its classification as evidence is not about format.
✗
Hearsay evidence
Why it's wrong here
Hearsay is an out-of-court statement offered for its truth. A file's metadata is not a statement.
✗
Direct evidence
Why it's wrong here
Direct evidence directly proves a fact (e.g., video showing the suspect). The file itself does not show who accessed it.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
EC-Council often tests the distinction between direct and circumstantial evidence by presenting timestamp data that shows access without modification, leading candidates to mistakenly classify it as direct evidence because they assume 'accessed during incident' equals 'used in the incident'.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Direct evidence directly proves a fact (e.g., video showing the suspect). The file itself does not show who accessed it.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In Windows NTFS, the last accessed timestamp is updated when a file is opened or read (depending on the registry key NtfsDisableLastAccessUpdate, which by default in Windows 10/11 disables updates for performance, but may be enabled in forensic images). The last modified timestamp updates only when content changes. This distinction is critical in forensic analysis: a file accessed but not modified during an incident can indicate reconnaissance or exfiltration without alteration, making it circumstantial evidence that requires correlation with other artifacts (e.g., network logs, process creation events) to prove malicious intent.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CHFI question in full detail.
Computer Forensics Fundamentals and Process — This question tests Computer Forensics Fundamentals and Process — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Circumstantial evidence — The file 'notes.txt' has a last modified timestamp before the incident but a last accessed timestamp during the incident. This indicates the file was opened or read during the incident, but not modified. Such indirect evidence suggests the attacker may have viewed the passwords, but does not directly prove the act of using them. Therefore, it is circumstantial evidence because it requires inference to connect the file access to the incident.
What should I do if I get this CHFI question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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