Digital Forensic Certification Practice Exam

Which command enables the extraction of the file encryption key in EFS?

1. Get-EfsKey

2. Extract-FileKey

3. CryptoAPI-Decrypt

4. EfsService-Decrypt

The correct answer is: Get-EfsKey

The command that enables the extraction of the file encryption key in the Encrypting File System (EFS) is indeed "Get-EfsKey." This command is designed specifically to retrieve the EFS key associated with encrypted files on Windows systems. EFS uses keys to secure files, and this command facilitates the process of accessing that key, which is crucial for decrypting files that have been protected under the EFS framework. Understanding the function of "Get-EfsKey" is essential for anyone working with digital forensics or data recovery, as it allows forensic analysts to access encrypted data securely. This is particularly important in situations where investigators need to recover information from encrypted files for analysis or evidence collection. The other commands, while they may sound pertinent, do not serve the purpose of extracting the file encryption key itself. For example, "Extract-FileKey" and "CryptoAPI-Decrypt" might suggest operations related to encryption or decryption processes, but they do not exist in the context of EFS key retrieval. Similarly, "EfsService-Decrypt" doesn't align with standard PowerShell commands linked to EFS operations. Recognizing this is essential for efficiently utilizing commands in a forensic investigation or system administration context.