GCFA Enterprise Environment Incident Response Practice Question
An enterprise incident response team is preparing to conduct a forensic investigation on a compromised Linux server. The server is still running and cannot be taken offline. Which TWO of the following commands are appropriate for collecting volatile network connection information while minimizing disruption to the system? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse network capture tools like tcpdump with connection enumeration tools, but tcpdump records packets rather than listing current connections with process attribution.
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
✓
netstat -antp
netstat and ss are standard tools for capturing volatile network connection information on a live Linux system. Both provide details on active connections, listening ports, and associated processes without generating new traffic or causing significant system disruption. They are commonly used in incident response to document the current network state before further analysis.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
nmap -sS 127.0.0.1
Why it's wrong here
nmap is a network scanning tool used to discover hosts and services. Running it against localhost would generate new network traffic and could be considered disruptive. It does not collect existing connection information and is not a forensic collection tool for volatile data. It is inappropriate for live response evidence gathering.
- ✓
netstat -antp
Why this is correct
netstat -antp displays active network connections, including TCP and UDP, with process IDs and program names. It is a standard tool for live response and provides a snapshot of current connections. Using the -p flag requires root privileges but is appropriate for forensic collection on a running system without causing disruption.
- ✗
lsof -i
Why it's wrong here
lsof -i lists open files associated with network connections, which can be useful, but it is not as comprehensive as netstat or ss for showing all network connections with process details. It may miss some connections or require additional parsing. While non-disruptive, it is not the best choice for a quick snapshot of volatile network state.
- ✓
ss -tulpn
Why this is correct
ss -tulpn is a modern replacement for netstat that shows TCP, UDP, and listening sockets with process information. It is faster and more efficient than netstat, especially on systems with many connections. It provides similar volatile network data and is safe to run on a live system, making it suitable for incident response.
- ✗
tcpdump -i any -w capture.pcap
Why it's wrong here
tcpdump captures packet data, which is useful for network forensics, but it does not provide a snapshot of current connections with process attribution. It also generates significant I/O and may require additional storage, potentially disrupting the system. For volatile connection information, netstat or ss is more appropriate.
About these practice questions
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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.