This CHFI practice question tests your understanding of os and network 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 TWO of the following artifacts are used for timeline analysis in digital forensics? (Select two.)
LNK files contain timestamps of file access, useful for timeline.
B
HKLM\SYSTEM
Why wrong: SYSTEM hive contains system configuration, not timeline data.
C
Prefetch files
Prefetch files contain timestamps of application launches, useful for timeline.
D
HKLM\SAM
Why wrong: SAM stores hashed passwords, not timeline data.
E
Windows Event Logs
Why wrong: While event logs have timestamps, they are not typically parsed by timeline tools as primary artifacts; the question asks for artifacts used in timeline analysis, and prefetch and LNK are classic examples.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
LNK files
LNK files are correct because they record the last access timestamp of the file or application they point to, along with the volume serial number and path. This metadata allows a forensic examiner to reconstruct user activity and file access sequences during timeline analysis. Prefetch files are correct because they store the last run time, run count, and file paths of executed applications, enabling the creation of a chronological timeline of program execution on a Windows system.
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.
✓
LNK files
Why this is correct
LNK files contain timestamps of file access, useful for timeline.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
HKLM\SYSTEM
Why it's wrong here
SYSTEM hive contains system configuration, not timeline data.
✓
Prefetch files
Why this is correct
Prefetch files contain timestamps of application launches, useful for timeline.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
HKLM\SAM
Why it's wrong here
SAM stores hashed passwords, not timeline data.
✗
Windows Event Logs
Why it's wrong here
While event logs have timestamps, they are not typically parsed by timeline tools as primary artifacts; the question asks for artifacts used in timeline analysis, and prefetch and LNK are classic examples.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
EC-Council often tests the distinction between artifacts that provide direct timestamps for user activity (LNK, Prefetch) versus those that store static configuration or security data (HKLM\SYSTEM, HKLM\SAM), leading candidates to incorrectly select registry hives as timeline sources.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
LNK files store the LastWriteTime in the shell link header and can also contain a 64-bit FILETIME structure for the target file's last access time, which is critical for proving file access even if the NTFS $MFT is wiped. Prefetch files (.pf) are stored in C:\Windows\Prefetch and include a hash of the executable path, the last eight execution times, and a list of loaded DLLs; they are used to identify when malware or suspicious tools were first run. In real-world investigations, combining LNK and Prefetch timestamps can reveal a user's exact workflow, such as opening a malicious document and then executing a payload.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CHFI question in full detail.
OS and Network Forensics — This question tests OS and Network Forensics — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: LNK files — LNK files are correct because they record the last access timestamp of the file or application they point to, along with the volume serial number and path. This metadata allows a forensic examiner to reconstruct user activity and file access sequences during timeline analysis. Prefetch files are correct because they store the last run time, run count, and file paths of executed applications, enabling the creation of a chronological timeline of program execution on a Windows system.
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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