- A
Boot the server using a forensic live CD, connect an external USB drive to the server, and use 'dd' to create a raw image on the external drive.
Why wrong: Booting from live CD may write to the system and the dd command does not use a write blocker; also, live acquisition is riskier.
- B
Use the server's built-in backup utility to create a system state backup and copy it to a network share.
Why wrong: Backup utilities do not create a bit-for-bit forensic image and may miss deleted data; network transfer risks integrity.
- C
Remove the hard drive, connect it via a write blocker to the forensic workstation, and then use 'dd' over a network connection to send the image to a remote server.
Why wrong: Imaging over the network is not recommended due to potential data corruption and slower speeds; local imaging is preferred.
- D
Remove the hard drive, connect it via a write blocker to the forensic workstation, and create an EWF (E01) image stored locally on the forensic workstation's internal drive.
This method uses a write blocker to preserve integrity, and EWF format provides compression and metadata for efficient analysis.
Quick Answer
The answer is to remove the hard drive, connect it via a write blocker to the forensic workstation, and create an EWF (E01) image stored locally. This is correct because forensic acquisition best practices demand hardware write-blocking to prevent any alteration of the source drive during imaging, while the EWF (E01) format provides built-in compression, metadata, and integrity checks like CRC32 and MD5, which are critical for preserving evidence and enabling efficient analysis. On the CHFI exam, this scenario tests your understanding of proper acquisition methodology—specifically that live imaging or network transfers introduce risks of data corruption or tampering. A common trap is choosing dd over E01, but E01’s compression and validation features make it superior for long-term case management. Memory tip: “Block before you copy, E01 for the win.”
CHFI OS and File System Forensics Practice Question
This CHFI practice question tests your understanding of os and file system 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 investigator responding to a security incident at a medium-sized company. The incident involved an attacker gaining unauthorized access to a Windows Server 2019 system. The server was taken offline by the IT team immediately after detection. Your task is to acquire forensic evidence from the server's hard drive. The server has a single 500 GB NTFS partition. You have a forensic workstation with a write blocker, a SATA-to-USB adapter, and a forensic imaging tool that supports both dd and EWF (E01) formats. The server is still physically in the server room, and the IT team has powered it off. You need to create a forensic image that preserves the integrity of the evidence and allows for efficient analysis. Which of the following is the most appropriate course of action?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"immediately / without restart"Why it matters: Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.
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
Remove the hard drive, connect it via a write blocker to the forensic workstation, and create an EWF (E01) image stored locally on the forensic workstation's internal drive.
Option D is correct because it follows best practices for forensic acquisition: removing the hard drive and connecting it via a write blocker ensures that no data is altered during imaging. Using EWF (E01) format provides compression, metadata, and integrity checks (e.g., CRC32, MD5, SHA-1), which are essential for efficient analysis and evidence preservation. Storing the image locally on the forensic workstation avoids network latency and potential data corruption.
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.
- ✗
Boot the server using a forensic live CD, connect an external USB drive to the server, and use 'dd' to create a raw image on the external drive.
Why it's wrong here
Booting from live CD may write to the system and the dd command does not use a write blocker; also, live acquisition is riskier.
- ✗
Use the server's built-in backup utility to create a system state backup and copy it to a network share.
Why it's wrong here
Backup utilities do not create a bit-for-bit forensic image and may miss deleted data; network transfer risks integrity.
- ✗
Remove the hard drive, connect it via a write blocker to the forensic workstation, and then use 'dd' over a network connection to send the image to a remote server.
Why it's wrong here
Imaging over the network is not recommended due to potential data corruption and slower speeds; local imaging is preferred.
- ✓
Remove the hard drive, connect it via a write blocker to the forensic workstation, and create an EWF (E01) image stored locally on the forensic workstation's internal drive.
Why this is correct
This method uses a write blocker to preserve integrity, and EWF format provides compression and metadata for efficient analysis.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "immediately / without restart" in the question point toward this answer.
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 misconception that using a forensic live CD is sufficient for write protection, but without a hardware write blocker, the OS may still write to the drive (e.g., via journaling or mount operations), compromising evidence integrity.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Booting from live CD may write to the system and the dd command does not use a write blocker; also, live acquisition is riskier.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The EWF (E01) format, defined by Expert Witness Compression, uses a proprietary compression algorithm and embeds hash values (MD5, SHA-1) within the file, allowing verification without separate hash files. When using a write blocker, it intercepts ATA commands like WRITE DMA and returns success without modifying the drive, ensuring bit-for-bit accuracy. In real-world scenarios, network imaging (e.g., over FTP or SMB) is avoided because it can introduce timing issues and requires additional authentication and encryption overhead.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CHFI question test?
OS and File System Forensics — This question tests OS and File System Forensics — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Remove the hard drive, connect it via a write blocker to the forensic workstation, and create an EWF (E01) image stored locally on the forensic workstation's internal drive. — Option D is correct because it follows best practices for forensic acquisition: removing the hard drive and connecting it via a write blocker ensures that no data is altered during imaging. Using EWF (E01) format provides compression, metadata, and integrity checks (e.g., CRC32, MD5, SHA-1), which are essential for efficient analysis and evidence preservation. Storing the image locally on the forensic workstation avoids network latency and potential data corruption.
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: "immediately / without restart". Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
2 more ways this is tested on CHFI
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Match each forensic acquisition method to its description.
mediumWhy : These methods differ in scope and when they are performed.
Variation 2. During a forensic investigation, an analyst needs to preserve the integrity of evidence on a hard drive. Which of the following is the best practice for acquiring an image of the drive?
easy- A.Use the 'dd' command to create a raw image without a write blocker.
- B.Connect the drive to a forensic workstation and use the operating system's copy command.
- ✓ C.Use a hardware write blocker and create a bit-stream image.
- D.Format the drive before imaging to ensure no hidden data is missed.
Why C: Option C is correct because using a hardware write blocker ensures that no write commands from the forensic workstation reach the suspect drive, preserving its integrity at the physical level. Creating a bit-stream image (sector-by-sector copy) captures all data, including slack space and unallocated clusters, which is essential for thorough forensic analysis. This combination is the gold standard in digital forensics, as mandated by best practices like those from NIST and the ACPO principles.
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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