Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

OR
Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google
Quizzes > Computers & Technology > Computers & IT

Digital Forensics Quiz - Test Your Cyber Investigation Skills

Think you can ace our digital forensics MCQs? Dive in and challenge yourself!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of magnifying glass over circuit shapes and digital forensics quiz title on sky blue background

This digital forensics quiz helps you practice core cyber investigation skills through quick MCQs and short scenarios, from handling evidence to reading logs and timelines, with instant feedback to spot gaps before an exam or real‑world casework. For extra practice, get sample questions or try our forensic science quiz.

What is the primary purpose of digital forensics?
Encrypt sensitive data for storage
Recover and analyze digital evidence
Install security patches remotely
Destroy malware present on systems
Digital forensics is the process of identifying, preserving, analyzing, and presenting digital evidence in a manner suitable for legal proceedings. The primary goal is to recover and interpret digital data to support investigations and court cases. It involves systematic methods to ensure data integrity and admissibility.
Which phase of the digital forensics process involves creating a bit-for-bit copy of the evidence?
Analysis
Preservation
Identification
Reporting
The preservation phase focuses on protecting and duplicating evidence, often by creating a bit-for-bit forensic image. This ensures the original media remains unaltered and is admissible in court. A forensic image maintains all data, including deleted and hidden files.
Which tool is commonly used for disk imaging in digital forensics?
FTK Imager
Nmap
Metasploit
Wireshark
FTK Imager is a widely used forensic utility that allows examiners to create forensic images of storage media without altering the original. It supports multiple image formats and verifies hash values to ensure integrity. It is free and often used for initial evidence acquisition.
What is the output of a cryptographic hash function in forensic analysis?
Log file
Network capture
Encrypted file
Checksum
A cryptographic hash function processes input data and produces a fixed-size checksum or hash value. This checksum uniquely identifies the data, making it invaluable for verifying integrity. Any change in the input data results in a different hash output.
What does "chain of custody" refer to?
The timeline of network events
The physical location of evidence
The process of encrypting files
Documentation trail for evidence handling
Chain of custody is the documented history of evidence handling from collection through analysis and storage. It ensures that evidence is accounted for and admissible in court. Proper documentation prevents tampering and maintains evidentiary integrity.
Which file system is native to Windows operating systems?
APFS
ext4
NTFS
HFS+
NTFS (New Technology File System) is the default file system used by Windows since Windows NT. It supports large file sizes, security permissions, and journaling features. Knowledge of NTFS is essential for Windows forensic analysis due to its metadata structures.
What does RAM stand for in computing?
Read-After-Memory
Remote Access Module
Random Access Memory
Readily Accessible Memory
RAM stands for Random Access Memory, a type of volatile storage where the CPU reads and writes data. It allows data to be accessed in any order with equal speed. RAM contents are lost when power is removed, making live memory acquisition critical in forensics.
Which device prevents write operations to storage media during acquisition?
Switch
Router
Firewall
Write blocker
A write blocker is a hardware or software tool that allows read-only access to storage media. It prevents any write commands from altering the original evidence during acquisition. This preserves the integrity and admissibility of digital evidence.
In live response forensics, which tool is used to capture volatile memory?
Nessus
DumpIt
Wireshark
EnCase
DumpIt is a free tool used to capture the contents of RAM from a live system. It creates a memory dump without altering the system significantly. Analyzing this dump helps investigators recover running processes, network connections, and other volatile data.
Which hashing algorithm is no longer considered secure due to collision vulnerabilities?
SHA-256
SHA-3
MD5
BLAKE2
MD5 hashes have known collision vulnerabilities, meaning two different inputs can produce the same hash. Collisions undermine the reliability of MD5 for verifying integrity. Modern forensics standards recommend using SHA-256 or stronger algorithms.
Which type of forensics focuses on monitoring and analyzing network traffic?
Memory forensics
Mobile forensics
Disk forensics
Network forensics
Network forensics involves capturing and analyzing network packets to investigate breaches or suspicious activity. It helps trace intrusion paths, identify data exfiltration, and reconstruct events. Tools like Wireshark and network taps are commonly used.
Which port does HTTPS use by default?
22
443
80
21
HTTPS (HTTP Secure) uses TCP port 443 by default to encrypt web traffic using SSL/TLS. Port 80 is used by unencrypted HTTP. Understanding default ports aids in analyzing network logs and traffic captures.
In file carving, what remains intact in the absence of file system metadata?
File owner info
File headers and footers
Access timestamps
File permissions
File carving recovers files based on content patterns like headers, footers, and internal signatures. It does not rely on file system structures. Headers and footers help delineate file boundaries during carving.
Which Windows log file records user login events?
Application log
System log
Setup log
Security log
Windows Security log tracks login and logout events, account creations, and policy changes. It is critical for identifying unauthorized access. Administrators use Event Viewer to inspect Security log entries for investigation.
What does the Master Boot Record (MBR) contain?
User credentials
File slack space
Network settings
Partition table and bootloader code
The MBR is located in the first sector of a disk and contains the partition table and initial bootloader code. It guides the system in locating the active partition to load the OS. MBR addresses up to 2 TB disks; newer GUID Partition Table (GPT) is used for larger disks.
Which protocol can be used to securely retrieve files from a remote server?
SFTP
HTTP
FTP
Telnet
SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) operates over an encrypted SSH session, ensuring confidentiality and integrity of transferred files. FTP transmits data in plaintext, making it insecure for sensitive content. Understanding secure transfer protocols is vital for forensic acquisitions.
What specialized technique can recover data from magnetic remanence on storage media to detect overwritten content?
Steganography
Magnetic force microscopy
Disk defragmentation
Data carving
Magnetic Force Microscopy (MFM) analyzes residual magnetic signatures on disk platters to infer previous data patterns even after overwriting. It requires advanced lab equipment and is not typically available in field kits. MFM demonstrates the importance of physical sanitization methods.
What is 'slack space' on a storage device?
Unused space within a file allocation unit
Free space on the disk
System reserved sectors
Space occupied by the page file
Slack space is the leftover area in a cluster when a file's size does not perfectly align with cluster boundaries. It may contain remnants of previously deleted or overwritten data. Forensic investigators analyze slack space for hidden or residual evidence.
What information does the NTFS Master File Table (MFT) primarily store?
User login events
Network interface settings
Encrypted password hashes
File metadata
The NTFS MFT records metadata for every file and directory on an NTFS volume, including timestamps, size, and physical location. It is essential for reconstructing file system activity. Investigators parse the MFT to track file creation, modification, and deletion.
What is the Host Protected Area (HPA) on a hard drive?
The first track of the disk
A hidden area reserved by the manufacturer
Encrypted user data region
A partition for swap files
The HPA is a special hidden section of a disk defined by the manufacturer, typically used for recovery or diagnostic tools. It is not normally visible to the operating system or users without special tools. Forensic examiners may need to disable HPA to access all data.
Which Windows registry hive stores information about installed services and drivers?
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE
HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG\SYSTEM
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT
The HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM hive contains system-wide configuration, including installed services, drivers, and control sets. It is crucial for analyzing system behavior and startup configurations. Investigators inspect this hive to detect malicious drivers or service entries.
What does memory-mapped I/O refer to in a forensic context?
Capturing network packets in RAM
Accessing device registers through memory space
Formatting memory modules
Encrypting memory contents
Memory-mapped I/O allows the CPU to interact with hardware devices by reading and writing specific memory addresses. In forensics, understanding memory mappings helps interpret volatile data structures and device interactions. It is key for analyzing kernel and driver behavior during live response.
Which forensic approach analyzes a disk image without modifying the original data?
Network analysis
Mobile device analysis
Live analysis
Offline analysis
Offline analysis involves working with a forensic copy or image of storage media, ensuring the original remains unaltered. This preserves evidence integrity and prevents accidental changes. Analysts can mount images in read-only mode for detailed examination.
Which steganographic technique hides data in the least significant bits of an image file?
LSB steganography
Frequency hopping spread spectrum
Transform domain steganography
Masking and filtering
LSB (Least Significant Bit) steganography embeds data in the least significant bits of pixel values, minimally affecting image appearance. It is one of the simplest but most detectable steganography methods. Analysis tools can extract hidden data by inspecting bit patterns.
What is the primary goal of carving memory when investigating Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs)?
Removing malware from disk
Extracting in-memory artifacts of advanced threats
Encrypting volatile data
Monitoring network traffic in real time
Memory carving focuses on retrieving volatile artifacts like malware code, encryption keys, and network connections from RAM. This is critical for analyzing APTs that operate predominantly in memory to avoid disk-based detection. Volatile data provides insight into live threat behaviors.
0
{"name":"What is the primary purpose of digital forensics?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"What is the primary purpose of digital forensics?, Which phase of the digital forensics process involves creating a bit-for-bit copy of the evidence?, Which tool is commonly used for disk imaging in digital forensics?","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}

Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Core Digital Forensics Concepts -

    Gain a clear grasp of fundamental principles in digital forensics quiz content, including the goals and scope of forensic investigations in cyber environments.

  2. Analyze Digital Evidence Collection Methods -

    Examine various techniques for acquiring and preserving digital evidence, ensuring integrity and admissibility in legal proceedings.

  3. Apply Forensic Investigation Techniques -

    Use real-world scenarios to practice common digital forensics MCQs skills such as data carving, memory analysis, and file system examination.

  4. Evaluate Chain of Custody and Legal Standards -

    Recognize best practices for maintaining chain of custody and complying with legal requirements during forensic investigations.

  5. Interpret Cyber Intrusion Scenarios -

    Assess detailed case studies to identify attack vectors, trace intrusions, and understand the forensic evidence they leave behind.

  6. Test and Reinforce Knowledge with MCQs -

    Challenge and measure your digital evidence assessment skills through targeted questions, preparing you for real-world digital investigation tests.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Chain of Custody Management -

    Essential for preserving evidence integrity, chain of custody documents every handoff of digital artifacts from collection to courtroom. According to NIST SP 800-61, logging the date, time, collector, and purpose in a secure record ensures admissibility in legal proceedings. Use the mnemonic "CAT LOG" (Collector, Artifact, Time, Location, Observer, Goal) to remember all steps when studying for a digital forensics quiz.

  2. File System and Artifact Analysis -

    Understanding NTFS, FAT32, and ext4 structures is crucial for locating deleted or hidden files; each uses metadata tables to track file entries. As SANS GIAC notes, mastering techniques like slack space carving and MFT record parsing can reveal remnants of user activity. A quick tip: visualize the Master File Table as a library index - you'll know exactly where to "check out" deleted documents during exam MCQs.

  3. Cryptographic Hashing & Integrity Verification -

    Hash functions like MD5, SHA-1, and SHA-256 produce fixed-length digests, ensuring a one-to-one fingerprint of digital evidence. In practice, comparing hash values before and after analysis confirms file integrity; a single bit change yields a dramatically different hash. Remember the rhyme "SHA-256 sticks, MD5 ticks" to recall which algorithm offers stronger collision resistance on cyber forensics questions.

  4. Memory Forensics Techniques -

    Volatile data analysis - capturing RAM contents - unveils running processes, network connections, and encryption keys not found on disk. Tools like Volatility Framework (per the Volatility Foundation) let you extract process lists (pslist), network sockets (netscan), and DLL loads for a deeper forensic investigation quiz. Think of RAM as a "live snapshot"; practice capturing and parsing dumps to ace memory-focused MCQs.

  5. Network Traffic Capture & Analysis -

    Packet sniffers such as Wireshark collect live network sessions, revealing IP flows, protocols, and potential exfiltration attempts. Following guidelines from CERT/CC, set capture filters (e.g., "port 80") to zero in on HTTP streams or apply display filters (e.g., "http.request") to isolate suspicious requests. A handy acronym: "CAPTURE" (Check, Analyze, Packetize, Timestamp, Understand, Report, Examine) to structure your approach for a digital investigation test.

Make a Quiz (FREE) Copy & Edit This Quiz Create a Quiz with AI

Computers & IT Quizzes

Powered by: Quiz Maker