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.
Which THREE of the following are common techniques used by malware to achieve persistence on a Windows system? (Select THREE)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Creating a scheduled task
Creating a scheduled task is a common persistence technique because it allows malware to execute at predefined times or system events, such as user logon or system startup. The Windows Task Scheduler can run arbitrary executables with SYSTEM privileges, making it a reliable method for maintaining access even after a reboot.
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.
✓
Creating a scheduled task
Why this is correct
Scheduled tasks can run malware at specific times or events.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Process hollowing
Why it's wrong here
Process hollowing is a code injection technique, not persistence.
✓
Adding a value to HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Why this is correct
This runs the malware at user logon.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
WMI event subscription
Why it's wrong here
WMI is also a persistence method but less common; the three correct are the most typical.
✓
Installing as a Windows service
Why this is correct
Services can run automatically at system startup.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
EC-Council often tests the distinction between persistence mechanisms and execution/injection techniques, so the trap here is confusing process hollowing (a runtime evasion method) with persistence methods that survive reboots.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the Run registry key (HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run) is processed by the Winlogon process during user logon, launching each listed executable. Windows services are managed by the Service Control Manager (SCM) and can be configured to auto-start via the Start=2 (AUTO_START) parameter in the registry or through the sc.exe command. Malware often uses these because they are simple, well-documented, and require no special privileges for the user-level Run key.
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 junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
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: Creating a scheduled task — Creating a scheduled task is a common persistence technique because it allows malware to execute at predefined times or system events, such as user logon or system startup. The Windows Task Scheduler can run arbitrary executables with SYSTEM privileges, making it a reliable method for maintaining access even after a reboot.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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