Quick Answer
The answer is a known malicious IP address because it serves as a direct network indicator of compromise that identifies a command-and-control server or a source of malicious traffic without requiring host-level analysis. When network monitoring tools match outbound or inbound connections against threat intelligence feeds of known bad IPs, they trigger an alert that signals potential malware activity. On the Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator CHFI exam, this concept tests your understanding of network-based IoCs versus host-based artifacts, often appearing in questions about detection methods for initial compromise. A common trap is confusing a malicious IP with a file hash or registry key, which are host-based indicators requiring deeper forensic analysis. Remember the memory tip: “IPs are on the wire, hashes are on the disk”—if it’s a network address, it’s a network-based IoC.
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.
Which of the following is an example of an indicator of compromise (IoC) that can be used to detect malware on a network?
A mutex name
Why wrong: Mutex names are host-based IoCs.
A known malicious IP address
Malicious IP addresses are network-based IoCs indicating C2 or malware distribution.
A registry key modification
Why wrong: Registry changes are host-based IoCs.
A file's MD5 hash
Why wrong: A file hash is a host-based IoC, not network-based, but still an IoC.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
A known malicious IP address
A known malicious IP address is a classic indicator of compromise (IoC) because it directly identifies a command-and-control (C2) server or a source of malicious traffic. Network monitoring tools can match outbound or inbound connections against threat intelligence feeds of known bad IPs, triggering an alert. This is a network-based IoC that requires no host-level analysis, making it ideal for initial detection.
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.
A mutex name
Why it's wrong here
Mutex names are host-based IoCs.
A known malicious IP address
Why this is correct
Malicious IP addresses are network-based IoCs indicating C2 or malware distribution.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
A registry key modification
Why it's wrong here
Registry changes are host-based IoCs.
A file's MD5 hash
Why it's wrong here
A file hash is a host-based IoC, not network-based, but still an IoC.
Common exam traps
EC-Council often tests the distinction between network-based and host-based IoCs, and the trap here is that candidates mistakenly classify host-level artifacts (mutex, registry, hash) as network IoCs because they are common in malware analysis, but the question explicitly asks for an indicator 'on a network'.
Detailed technical explanation
Network-based IoCs like malicious IP addresses are often sourced from threat intelligence platforms (e.g., AlienVault OTX, VirusTotal) and can be fed into intrusion detection systems (IDS) such as Snort or Suricata via rules that match IP headers. In contrast, host-based IoCs (mutex, registry, hash) require endpoint detection and response (EDR) agents or forensic analysis of a compromised machine. A real-world scenario: a SOC analyst sees repeated outbound connections to 185.130.5.5 (a known TrickBot C2) and immediately blocks it at the firewall, while a mutex or registry change would only be visible after an endpoint scan.
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.
Mobile and Malware Forensics — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Mobile and Malware Forensics practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All CHFI questions
1,000 questions across all exam domains
Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator CHFI study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
CHFI practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Computer Forensics Investigation Process.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Computer Forensics Fundamentals and Process.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Storage Forensics and File System Analysis.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Incident Response and First Responder Skills.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Computer Forensics Lab.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Evidence Acquisition and Duplication.
Practise CHFI questions linked to OS and Network Forensics.
Practise CHFI questions linked to OS and File System Forensics.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Application, Email and Cloud Forensics.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Mobile and Malware Forensics.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Network and Cloud Forensics.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Database and Application Forensics.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
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: A known malicious IP address — A known malicious IP address is a classic indicator of compromise (IoC) because it directly identifies a command-and-control (C2) server or a source of malicious traffic. Network monitoring tools can match outbound or inbound connections against threat intelligence feeds of known bad IPs, triggering an alert. This is a network-based IoC that requires no host-level analysis, making it ideal for initial detection.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.