File integrity checking tools work by calculating hash values of important files, storing the hash values, and periodically comparing those hash values to hash values that it calculates later. If a file hash value comparison results in a mismatch, what does that indicate?
- It means nothing; it is a mismatch because the files hashes were compiled on different days.
- It means that one file did not calculate correctly and need to be recalculated.
- It indicates that the file has been changed in some way and there may be an issue to be resolved.
- It indicates that your organization has suffered a security breach and a full-scale investigation is needed as soon as possible.
Explanation & Hint: If a file hash value comparison results in a mismatch, it typically indicates that:
The file has been changed in some way, and there may be an issue to be resolved.
File integrity checking tools are used to detect unauthorized or unintended changes to files. When the hash value of a file no longer matches the stored or expected hash value, it suggests that the file has been altered since the last hash calculation was performed. This can be an important indicator of file tampering or corruption, and further investigation is typically warranted to determine the cause of the mismatch and to take appropriate action, which may include restoring the original file from a known good source or investigating for potential security breaches.