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EC-Council

312-49 · Question #479

Smith, as a part his forensic investigation assignment, has seized a mobile device. He was asked to recover the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM card) data the mobile device. Smith found that the SIM…

The correct answer is D. He should ask the network operator for Personal Unlock Number (PUK) to gain access to the SIM. When a SIM card is blocked after three consecutive incorrect PIN attempts, it enters a locked state that can only be unlocked using a PUK (Personal Unlock Key/Code), also called PUK1. The PUK is an 8-digit code assigned by the network operator and can be obtained by contacting…

Submitted by asante_acc· Apr 18, 2026Mobile Forensics

Question

Smith, as a part his forensic investigation assignment, has seized a mobile device. He was asked to recover the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM card) data the mobile device. Smith found that the SIM was protected by a Personal identification Number (PIN) code but he was also aware that people generally leave the PIN numbers to the defaults or use easily guessable numbers such as 1234. He unsuccessfully tried three PIN numbers that blocked the SIM card. What Jason can do in this scenario to reset the PIN and access SIM data?

Options

  • AHe should contact the device manufacturer for a Temporary Unlock Code (TUK) to gain access to
  • BHe cannot access the SIM data in this scenario as the network operators or device manufacturers
  • CHe should again attempt PIN guesses after a time of 24 hours
  • DHe should ask the network operator for Personal Unlock Number (PUK) to gain access to the SIM

How the community answered

(32 responses)
  • A
    6% (2)
  • B
    3% (1)
  • C
    13% (4)
  • D
    78% (25)

Explanation

When a SIM card is blocked after three consecutive incorrect PIN attempts, it enters a locked state that can only be unlocked using a PUK (Personal Unlock Key/Code), also called PUK1. The PUK is an 8-digit code assigned by the network operator and can be obtained by contacting them with proof of identity. Attempting more PIN guesses is not possible once blocked; a TUK is not a standard industry term for this scenario; and claiming the SIM is permanently inaccessible is incorrect - PUK recovery is the standard procedure.

Topics

#Mobile forensics#SIM card data recovery#PIN Unblocking Key (PUK)#Forensic investigation procedures

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