Quick Answer
The answer is SHA-256, which is the correct choice because it is a cryptographic hash function that produces a 256-bit digest and is considered collision-resistant, unlike MD5 which has known collision vulnerabilities that can compromise evidence integrity in forensic imaging. This technical distinction matters because forensic tools like FTK Imager and EnCase rely on SHA-256 to generate a unique hash of a disk image, ensuring that even a single bit change alters the hash, thereby verifying that the evidence has not been tampered with. On the Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator CHFI exam, this concept tests your understanding of hash integrity in digital forensics, often appearing in questions about evidence verification or tool capabilities; a common trap is assuming MD5 is still acceptable for court-admissible evidence. Remember the mnemonic: “SHA-256 is twice as secure as MD5’s 128-bit output,” so when in doubt, choose the longer hash for forensic soundness.
This CHFI practice question tests your understanding of computer forensics fundamentals and process. 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 hashing algorithm is commonly used in forensic imaging to verify the integrity of evidence and is considered more secure than MD5?
SHA-256
SHA-256 is part of the SHA-2 family and is currently considered secure.
SHA-1
Why wrong: SHA-1 also has known weaknesses.
CRC32
Why wrong: CRC32 is for error detection, not cryptographic integrity.
MD5
Why wrong: MD5 is weaker and has known collisions.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
SHA-256
SHA-256 is the correct answer because it is a widely adopted cryptographic hash function in forensic imaging tools (e.g., FTK Imager, EnCase) to verify evidence integrity. It produces a 256-bit (32-byte) hash value and is considered collision-resistant, making it significantly more secure than MD5, which has known collision vulnerabilities.
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.
SHA-256
Why this is correct
SHA-256 is part of the SHA-2 family and is currently considered secure.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
SHA-1
Why it's wrong here
SHA-1 also has known weaknesses.
CRC32
Why it's wrong here
CRC32 is for error detection, not cryptographic integrity.
MD5
Why it's wrong here
MD5 is weaker and has known collisions.
Common exam traps
EC-Council often tests the misconception that SHA-1 is still acceptable for forensic integrity checks because it was once the standard, but the trap is that SHA-1 is now deprecated due to practical collision attacks, while SHA-256 is the current recommended minimum.
Detailed technical explanation
SHA-256 belongs to the SHA-2 family, defined in FIPS PUB 180-4, and uses a Merkle–Damgård construction with 64 rounds of compression. In forensic practice, the hash is computed before and after acquisition; if the values match, the evidence is considered bit-for-bit identical. A subtle behavior is that SHA-256 is slower than MD5 but provides a 2^128 security margin against collision attacks, which is critical in legal proceedings where hash collisions could be exploited to challenge evidence authenticity.
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
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FAQ
Computer Forensics Fundamentals and Process — This question tests Computer Forensics Fundamentals and Process — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: SHA-256 — SHA-256 is the correct answer because it is a widely adopted cryptographic hash function in forensic imaging tools (e.g., FTK Imager, EnCase) to verify evidence integrity. It produces a 256-bit (32-byte) hash value and is considered collision-resistant, making it significantly more secure than MD5, which has known collision vulnerabilities.
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.
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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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