The best next step is to compare the SHA256 hash against known malware hashes in a threat intelligence database. This approach is correct because a file’s cryptographic hash acts as a unique fingerprint; matching it against curated threat intelligence—such as VirusTotal or AlienVault OTX—instantly reveals if the file is a known malicious sample without altering the evidence or executing the file. On the CHFI exam, this tests your understanding of non-invasive forensic triage, where speed and evidence integrity are critical. A common trap is to immediately run the file in a sandbox or perform static analysis, but hash comparison is faster and preserves the original evidence for later deep inspection. Remember the mnemonic “Hash First, Analyze Last” to prioritize threat intelligence lookup before any other forensic step.
CHFI Mobile and Malware Forensics Practice Question
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.
An incident responder finds a file named 'photo.jpg' on a compromised system. The file size is 2 MB and it is located in a temp directory. The file's SHA256 hash is 5d41402abc4b2a76b9719d911017c592. What is the BEST next step to determine if this file is malicious?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Compare the hash against known malware hashes in a threat intelligence database
Option C is correct because comparing the SHA256 hash of the file against a threat intelligence database (e.g., VirusTotal, AlienVault OTX) is the fastest, least intrusive method to determine if the file is known malware. Since the file is 2 MB and located in a temp directory, it could be a legitimate image or a disguised executable; hash comparison leverages existing threat intelligence without altering the evidence or risking system compromise.
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.
✗
Delete the file to prevent potential harm
Why it's wrong here
Deleting evidence without analysis is not appropriate.
✗
Perform static analysis using IDA Pro to disassemble the file
Why it's wrong here
Static analysis is more in-depth but slower; hash lookup is the best first step.
✓
Compare the hash against known malware hashes in a threat intelligence database
Why this is correct
Hash lookup can immediately confirm if the file is known malicious.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Run the file in a sandbox environment to observe behavior
Why it's wrong here
This is a valid step, but checking the hash first is faster.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the principle of 'least intrusive first' in forensic workflows, and the trap here is that candidates impulsively choose to run the file in a sandbox (Option D) without first performing a simple, non-invasive hash lookup, which is the standard initial triage step.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SHA256 is a one-way cryptographic hash function (FIPS 180-4) that produces a 256-bit digest; comparing hashes against threat intelligence databases (e.g., via VirusTotal's API) can instantly match known malware samples, including those that use steganography or are disguised as images. In real-world incidents, attackers often rename executables with .jpg extensions to evade detection, but the file's true nature can be revealed by its magic bytes (e.g., JPEG header 0xFFD8 vs. PE header 0x4D5A) during hex analysis, which is a complementary step after hash lookup.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CHFI question in full detail.
Mobile and Malware Forensics — This question tests Mobile and Malware Forensics — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Compare the hash against known malware hashes in a threat intelligence database — Option C is correct because comparing the SHA256 hash of the file against a threat intelligence database (e.g., VirusTotal, AlienVault OTX) is the fastest, least intrusive method to determine if the file is known malware. Since the file is 2 MB and located in a temp directory, it could be a legitimate image or a disguised executable; hash comparison leverages existing threat intelligence without altering the evidence or risking system compromise.
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: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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
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