Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI) Practice Exam

The correct response involves the understanding that event logs specifically capture information related to operational actions performed by the operating system and its components. These logs record a variety of system events, including system startup and shutdown events, application failures, and other important notifications from the OS and applications running on it.

Event logs serve as a comprehensive record of system activities, allowing system administrators and forensic investigators to track and analyze the performance and security of the system over time. They provide critical insights into what actions have been taken by the OS, helping to identify any irregularities or issues that may arise during operation.

While audit logs also document activities, their primary focus is on security-related events, such as user access and modifications to files or configurations. Firewall logs are specifically tailored to monitor network traffic and filter data passing through the firewall, whereas intrusion detection system (IDS) logs are designed to detect and log potentially harmful activities or policy violations occurring on the network or system level. Hence, for inquiries about operational actions related to the OS, event logs are the appropriate choice.