This CHFI practice question tests your understanding of mobile and malware forensics. 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 malware investigation, you find that a process named `svchost.exe` is making outbound connections to an IP address known to be malicious. What tool would be BEST to capture the network traffic for further analysis?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
PEiD
Why wrong: Detects packers in PE files.
Process Explorer
Why wrong: Shows process details and handles, not network traffic.
Regshot
Why wrong: Compares registry snapshots, not network traffic.
Wireshark
Captures and analyzes network packets.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Wireshark
Wireshark is the best tool for capturing and analyzing network traffic because it can intercept packets at the network interface level, allowing you to inspect the full payload and headers of outbound connections from `svchost.exe` to the malicious IP. This enables deep analysis of protocols, data exfiltration attempts, and command-and-control communication patterns, which is essential in malware forensics.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
PEiD
Why it's wrong here
Detects packers in PE files.
Process Explorer
Why it's wrong here
Shows process details and handles, not network traffic.
Regshot
Why it's wrong here
Compares registry snapshots, not network traffic.
Wireshark
Why this is correct
Captures and analyzes network packets.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
EC-Council often tests the distinction between process analysis tools (like Process Explorer) and network analysis tools (like Wireshark), leading candidates to mistakenly choose Process Explorer because it can show network connections in its lower pane, but it cannot capture or inspect packet contents.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Shows process details and handles, not network traffic.
Detailed technical explanation
Wireshark uses libpcap (or Npcap on Windows) to capture raw network frames at the data link layer, allowing it to reconstruct TCP streams, filter by IP or port, and export objects like HTTP files or DNS queries. In a real-world scenario, you would apply a display filter such as `ip.addr == <malicious_IP>` to isolate traffic from `svchost.exe`, then follow the TCP stream to see the exact data being sent, which might reveal encrypted C2 payloads or stolen credentials.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Mobile and Malware Forensics — This question tests Mobile and Malware Forensics — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Wireshark — Wireshark is the best tool for capturing and analyzing network traffic because it can intercept packets at the network interface level, allowing you to inspect the full payload and headers of outbound connections from `svchost.exe` to the malicious IP. This enables deep analysis of protocols, data exfiltration attempts, and command-and-control communication patterns, which is essential in malware forensics.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This CHFI practice question is part of Courseiva's free EC-Council certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CHFI exam.
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