- A
Extract the ransom note and search for known ransomware identifiers such as Bitcoin wallet addresses or contact email.
Ransom notes often contain unique identifiers that link to specific ransomware families, enabling quick identification.
- B
Run the malware sample in a sandbox environment to observe its behavior.
Why wrong: You haven't isolated the malware sample yet; first identify it from the ransom note.
- C
Perform static analysis of the encrypted files to determine the encryption algorithm used.
Why wrong: Static analysis of encrypted files is difficult without the key; it's better to identify the malware first via other IOCs.
- D
Immediately disconnect the system from the network and power it off to preserve evidence.
Why wrong: While disconnecting is good, powering off may lose volatile data; you already have a memory dump, so this step is not first.
Quick Answer
The answer is to extract the ransom note and search for known ransomware identifiers such as Bitcoin wallet addresses or contact emails. This is the most appropriate first step because the ransom note is a primary source of indicators of compromise (IOCs) that can be immediately cross-referenced with threat intelligence feeds to identify the ransomware family, such as Ryuk or LockBit, without requiring deeper binary analysis. On the Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator CHFI exam, this tests your understanding of triage efficiency—jumping straight into memory or disk forensics wastes time when the note itself provides the fastest path to attribution. A common trap is to begin analyzing the encrypted files or the memory dump first, but the note’s embedded identifiers are the quickest route to actionable IOCs. Memory tip: “Note first, then code”—the ransom note is the forensic shortcut to the malware’s signature.
CHFI Malware Forensics Practice Question
This CHFI practice question tests your understanding of malware forensics. Compare every option against the stated constraints before choosing — the best answer satisfies all requirements, not just the most obvious one. 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.
You are a forensic analyst investigating a Windows workstation that shows signs of malware infection. The user reports that the system is slow, network activity is high, and several files have been encrypted with a .encrypted extension. A ransom note named README.txt has been left on the desktop demanding payment. You have acquired a memory dump using FTK Imager and a disk image using dd. You need to identify the malware family and gather indicators of compromise (IOCs). Which of the following is the MOST appropriate first step?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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
Extract the ransom note and search for known ransomware identifiers such as Bitcoin wallet addresses or contact email.
Option A is correct because the ransom note (README.txt) is a primary source of ransomware identifiers such as Bitcoin wallet addresses, contact emails, or Tor payment site URLs. Extracting these IOCs from the note allows you to quickly cross-reference known ransomware families (e.g., Ryuk, Maze, LockBit) via threat intelligence feeds, which is the most efficient first step in malware forensics before deeper analysis.
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.
- ✓
Extract the ransom note and search for known ransomware identifiers such as Bitcoin wallet addresses or contact email.
Why this is correct
Ransom notes often contain unique identifiers that link to specific ransomware families, enabling quick identification.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Run the malware sample in a sandbox environment to observe its behavior.
Why it's wrong here
You haven't isolated the malware sample yet; first identify it from the ransom note.
- ✗
Perform static analysis of the encrypted files to determine the encryption algorithm used.
Why it's wrong here
Static analysis of encrypted files is difficult without the key; it's better to identify the malware first via other IOCs.
- ✗
Immediately disconnect the system from the network and power it off to preserve evidence.
Why it's wrong here
While disconnecting is good, powering off may lose volatile data; you already have a memory dump, so this step is not first.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
EC-Council often tests the principle of 'triage before deep analysis'—candidates mistakenly choose sandboxing (B) or static analysis (C) first, but the exam expects you to start with the most accessible, high-value IOC source (the ransom note) to quickly identify the malware family.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Ransomware notes often contain unique identifiers like Bitcoin addresses (e.g., 1A1zP1eP5QGefi2DMPTfTL5SLmv7DivfNa) or email addresses (e.g., help@decryptor.onion) that can be searched in public databases like VirusTotal or AbuseIPDB. This step aligns with the NIST SP 800-86 forensic process, where initial evidence triage prioritizes high-value IOCs to guide subsequent analysis and containment.
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 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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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
Questions learners often ask
What does this CHFI question test?
Malware Forensics — This question tests Malware Forensics — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Extract the ransom note and search for known ransomware identifiers such as Bitcoin wallet addresses or contact email. — Option A is correct because the ransom note (README.txt) is a primary source of ransomware identifiers such as Bitcoin wallet addresses, contact emails, or Tor payment site URLs. Extracting these IOCs from the note allows you to quickly cross-reference known ransomware families (e.g., Ryuk, Maze, LockBit) via threat intelligence feeds, which is the most efficient first step in malware forensics before deeper analysis.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
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.
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