312-49 · Question #166
When examining a file with a Hex Editor, what space does the file header occupy?
The correct answer is A. The first several bytes of the file. File headers, also known as magic bytes or file signatures, are located at the very beginning of a file - occupying the first several bytes. These bytes are embedded directly in the file content and allow tools (and forensic investigators) to identify the true file type…
Question
When examining a file with a Hex Editor, what space does the file header occupy?
Options
- AThe first several bytes of the file
- BOne byte at the beginning of the file
- CNone, file headers are contained in the FAT
- DThe last several bytes of the file
How the community answered
(59 responses)- A90% (53)
- B3% (2)
- C5% (3)
- D2% (1)
Explanation
File headers, also known as magic bytes or file signatures, are located at the very beginning of a file - occupying the first several bytes. These bytes are embedded directly in the file content and allow tools (and forensic investigators) to identify the true file type regardless of the file extension. For example, a PNG file starts with bytes 89 50 4E 47, and a PDF starts with 25 50 44 46. In forensics, this is critical because malicious users often rename files to disguise their type. File headers are not stored in the FAT (File Allocation Table), which only contains metadata about file location and size, and they are definitely not at the end of the file.
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