CHFI OS and Network Forensics Practice Question
During a Windows forensic investigation, an analyst finds prefetch files with the .pf extension. Which TWO pieces of information can the analyst obtain from analyzing prefetch files?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common misconception is that prefetch files contain user-specific data or command-line arguments, but they only store execution count and timestamps, not user identity or process invocation details.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The number of times the application has been executed
Prefetch files in Windows store execution count and timestamps of application launches. The .pf file header contains a run count field that increments each time the application is executed, and the file also records up to eight previous execution timestamps. This allows the analyst to determine how many times the application was run and the exact date and time of each execution, making A and B correct.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
The number of times the application has been executed
Why this is correct
Prefetch stores a run counter.
- ✓
The exact date and time of each execution
Why this is correct
Prefetch records the last execution time; multiple times can be approximated via timestamps.
- ✗
The username that executed the application
Why it's wrong here
Prefetch does not store user context.
- ✗
The command-line arguments used to launch the program
Why it's wrong here
Command-line arguments are not stored in prefetch; they may be in other artifacts like Jump Lists.
- ✗
The IP addresses the application connected to
Why it's wrong here
Prefetch does not contain network information.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.