Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI) Practice Exam

Volatile information, by definition, refers to data that is held in temporary storage and is lost when the power is turned off or when the system is shut down. This includes data in RAM (Random Access Memory) because it requires power to maintain the information it stores. When the system shuts down, the contents of RAM are cleared, leading to a complete loss of this data. In contrast, non-volatile information, such as data stored on hard drives or SSDs, remains intact even when power is removed. Therefore, since the question specifically addresses the susceptibility of volatile information to loss during a system shutdown, the assertion is accurate. Understanding this concept is crucial for forensic investigators as it highlights the importance of capturing volatile data before shutting down a system to preserve any relevant evidence that may reside only temporarily in memory.