GCFA Introduction to Memory Forensics Practice Question
A forensic analyst is examining a memory dump from a Windows Server 2016 system that is suspected of being compromised by a kernel-mode rootkit. The analyst wants to identify hidden processes that are not visible through standard process enumeration. Which two Volatility 3 plugins should the analyst use to detect hidden processes by comparing different process listing methods? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is thinking that any plugin that lists processes can detect hidden ones, but only the combination of pslist and psscan reveals discrepancies caused by unlinking.
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
✓
windows.psscan
To detect hidden processes, analysts compare the output of windows.pslist, which walks the active process list, with windows.psscan, which scans physical memory for process objects using pool tag scanning. Discrepancies where psscan finds processes not in pslist indicate hidden processes, often due to rootkit activity. The other plugins do not provide this comparison and are used for different forensic purposes.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
windows.handles
Why it's wrong here
windows.handles lists open handles for processes, which can provide insight into resource usage but does not detect hidden processes. It does not compare process enumeration methods. Consequently, it is not appropriate for finding hidden processes via discrepancies.
- ✗
windows.netscan
Why it's wrong here
windows.netscan lists network connections and listening ports, which can indicate malicious activity but does not directly detect hidden processes. It does not compare process listing methods. Therefore, it is not suitable for identifying hidden processes through process enumeration discrepancies.
- ✗
windows.dlllist
Why it's wrong here
windows.dlllist lists loaded DLLs for processes, which can help identify injected DLLs but does not detect hidden processes. It does not enumerate processes or compare different process listing methods. Hence, it is not the right plugin for this task.
- ✓
windows.psscan
Why this is correct
windows.psscan scans physical memory for process objects by using pool tag scanning, which can find processes that are unlinked from the active process list. It is effective for detecting hidden processes because it does not rely on the operating system's linked list. This plugin is essential when a rootkit has unlinked a process to hide it.
- ✓
windows.pslist
Why this is correct
windows.pslist enumerates processes by walking the active process list, which is the standard method. However, when compared with psscan, discrepancies can reveal hidden processes. Using pslist alone would not detect hidden processes, but in conjunction with psscan, it helps identify them. Thus, it is one of the two plugins to use.
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every GCFA question from scratch — 292 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official GIAC exam blueprint
This GCFA practice question is part of Courseiva's free GIAC 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 GCFA exam.