Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator credential artwork

Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI) (312-49) Exam Guide

Validates knowledge of digital forensics, including evidence handling and analysis of disks, operating systems, networks, cloud and mobile.

CHFI tests whether you know how to run a forensic investigation: the legal rules, how to acquire and preserve evidence, and how to analyze it on different systems with the right tools. Learn the six blueprint domains, practice with forensic tools and evidence files, then drill questions.

Understand the exam

Syllabus

1Forensic science15%
  1. Understand Different Types of Cybercrimes and List Various Forensic Investigation Challenges
  2. Understand the Fundamentals of Computer Forensics and Determine the Roles and Responsibilities of Forensic Investigators
  3. Understand Data Acquisition Concepts and Rules
  4. Understand the Fundamental Concepts and Working of Databases, Cloud Computing, Emails, IOT, Malware (file, fileless, and .NET), and Dark Web
2Regulations, policies and ethics10%
  1. Understand Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Search and Seizure of the Evidence and Evidence Examination
  2. Understand Different Laws and Legal Issues that Impact Forensic Investigations
  3. Understand Various Standards and Best Practices Related to Computer Forensics

Example scenario: An HR manager hands you a laptop and asks you to find proof of misconduct. What must be in place before you start, and how do you record what you do?

3Digital evidence18%
  1. Understand the Fundamental Characteristics and Types of Digital Evidence
  2. Understand the Fundamental Concepts and Working of Desktop and Mobile Operating Systems
  3. Understand Different Types of Logs and their Importance in Forensic Investigations
  4. Understand Various Encoding Standards and Analyze Various File Types
  5. Understand the Fundamental Workings of WAF and MySQL Database
4Procedures and methodology17%
  1. Understand the Forensic Investigation Process
  2. Understand the Methodology to Acquire Data from Different Types of Evidence
  3. Understand the eDiscovery Process
  4. Illustrate Image/Evidence Examination and Event Correlation
  5. Explain Dark Web and Malware Forensics

Example scenario: You arrive at a server that is still running and may hold encryption keys in memory. In what order would you collect evidence, and why?

5Digital forensics29%
  1. Review Various Anti-Forensic Techniques and Ways to Defeat Them
  2. Analyze Various Files Associated with Windows, Linux, and Android Devices
  3. Analyze Various Logs and Perform Network Forensics to Investigate Network Attacks
  4. Analyze Various Logs and Perform Web Application Forensics to Examine Various Web-Based Attacks
  5. Perform Forensics on Databases, Dark Web, Emails, Cloud and IoT devices
  6. Perform Static and Dynamic Malware Analysis in a Sandboxed Environment
  7. Analyze Malware Behavior on System and Network Level, Analyze Malware Persistence, and Analyze Fileless Malware
  8. Perform Digital Forensics using Python

Example scenario: A web server log shows unusual requests just before customer data appeared online. Which artifacts would you examine to rebuild the attack timeline?

6Tools/systems/programs11%
  1. Identify Various Tools to Investigate Operating Systems, Including Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, and iOS
  2. Determine the Various Tools to Investigate MSSQL, MySQL, Azure, AWS, Emails, and IoT Devices
  3. Identify Various Tools to Perform Network, Web Application, Cloud, Social Media, and Insider Threat Forensics

CHFI Exam Blueprint v4.0 · CHFI v11, exam 312-49

Format

Questions
150
Duration
4h
Passing score
60–85%
Delivery
Test centre or online
Languages
English

Question types

Multiple choice. Choose the single best answer from the options shown.

CertUp example

An investigator must collect evidence from a running server. Which data should be captured first?

  1. The hard disk image
  2. The contents of RAM
  3. Archived backup tapes
  4. Printed access logs
Show answer

B. RAM is the most volatile source and is lost when the machine powers down, so it is collected before disk images or archives.

Eligibility and booking

Official training or 2 years of security experience

Required

EC-Council must confirm your eligibility before you can buy an exam voucher.

Official EC-Council trainingTraining from EC-Council, an accredited training center or an approved academic institution.
2 years of information security experienceApply with proof of experience and a $100 non-refundable fee.

Buying the official e-courseware alone does not count as training; you still need an approved application before buying a voucher.

Get eligibility through official training or an approved application, then buy the exam voucher. Vouchers are valid for one year.

Make a study plan

Read the blueprint and rate yourself on the six domains. Plan extra time for tools and systems you have not used.

Most candidates spend 60–110 hours. Plan for the low end if you already do incident response or digital forensics; add time if forensic tools or evidence handling are new to you.

9 weeksto be ready
  1. 1Understand the examRead the syllabus and format, check you’re eligible and pick a target date.5 h
  2. 3Learn the core conceptsWork through one main course or book, topic by topic.53 h
  3. 4Practice with mock examsTake timed practice tests and review every mistake.27 h
  4. 5Prepare for exam dayBook the exam and check the ID and delivery rules.5 h

Learn the core concepts

Use the official CHFI v11 material or a course that follows the blueprint, and practice with real forensic tools.

See all 3 CHFI courses →

Follow the evidence, in order. For each scenario, think about authorization, order of volatility and chain of custody before analysis.

Practice with mock exams

Practice questions should follow the CHFI v11 blueprint. Review the explanation for every answer and avoid exam dumps.

See all 2 CHFI practice tests →

Are you ready?

  • You can describe the evidence-handling steps for a scenario in the right order.
  • You can name the tool and artifact you would use on each platform.
  • You score consistently across all six domains on questions you have not seen before.

Prepare for exam day

Have a government-issued photo ID that matches your EC-Council account and your valid voucher.

  • Book your remote-proctored session through the EC-Council exam portal.
  • Run the equipment test on the computer and network you will use.
  • Test alone in a quiet room with a clear desk and your webcam on.
  • Keep phones, notes and other devices out of reach. The exam is closed book.

CHFI exam information

Advice from exam takers