Quick Answer
The correct answer is Google account artefacts because they are the most likely to persist after a factory reset on an Android device. This happens because the Google Services Framework (GSF) ID and the Google Account (GAIA) ID are stored in the /data/system/ partition, and a factory reset often fails to fully wipe the cryptographic keys or persistent data blocks used by Google’s sync services, allowing forensic tools to recover previously synced account details. On the Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator CHFI exam, this concept tests your understanding of Android forensic artifacts and the limitations of factory resets—a common trap is assuming a reset wipes all user data, but Google account identifiers survive due to how the OS handles sync tokens. Remember the mnemonic: “GSF and GAIA survive the wipe-a.”
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.
A forensic examiner is analyzing an Android device that has been factory reset. Which artefact is MOST likely to persist after a factory reset, providing potential evidence of prior usage?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Google account artefacts
Google account credentials may be stored in the Google backup and could be restored after reset, or remnants may exist in the cloud.
App installation logs
Why wrong: App installation logs are typically wiped.
Deleted SMS messages
Why wrong: Factory reset wipes the SMS database; recovery requires physical acquisition.
Wi-Fi passwords
Why wrong: Wi-Fi passwords are stored in /data/misc/wifi/ which is wiped.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Google account artefacts
Google account artefacts, such as the Google Services Framework (GSF) ID and the device's Google Account (GAIA) ID, are stored in the /data/system/ partition and are often retained even after a factory reset because the reset does not always wipe the cryptographic keys or the persistent data blocks used by Google's sync services. This allows forensic tools to recover the previously synced account details, providing evidence of prior usage.
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.
Google account artefacts
Why this is correct
Google account credentials may be stored in the Google backup and could be restored after reset, or remnants may exist in the cloud.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
App installation logs
Why it's wrong here
App installation logs are typically wiped.
Deleted SMS messages
Why it's wrong here
Factory reset wipes the SMS database; recovery requires physical acquisition.
Wi-Fi passwords
Why it's wrong here
Wi-Fi passwords are stored in /data/misc/wifi/ which is wiped.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates assume a factory reset wipes all user data completely, but EC-Council often tests the nuance that certain system-level identifiers like Google account artefacts persist because they are stored in areas not fully erased by a standard reset, unlike user-generated data such as SMS or Wi-Fi passwords.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, the Google Services Framework (GSF) ID is a unique identifier tied to the device's hardware and is stored in the /data/system/ directory, which may survive a factory reset if the reset does not perform a full NAND erase or if the device uses a file-based encryption scheme that preserves certain metadata blocks. In real-world scenarios, examiners can use tools like Cellebrite or Oxygen Forensic Detective to extract these artefacts from the device's flash memory, even after a reset, by reading the raw partitions and reconstructing the GSF ID from residual data.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the CHFI exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
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: Google account artefacts — Google account artefacts, such as the Google Services Framework (GSF) ID and the device's Google Account (GAIA) ID, are stored in the /data/system/ partition and are often retained even after a factory reset because the reset does not always wipe the cryptographic keys or the persistent data blocks used by Google's sync services. This allows forensic tools to recover the previously synced account details, providing evidence of prior usage.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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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