While investigating an unknown program on a remote station, a security analyst notices a numeric label tied to that instance. The analyst needs to confirm which account launched it. What step is the most effective for discovering the user behind that instance?
Check system login logs and match timestamps to see who was logged in then
Search registry paths for references to that numeric label and infer the user name
Review the creation date in event records and compare it to available user activity
Run a command line or task manager tool that shows parent-child information to learn the user context
It is wise to gather details on the numeric label, often referred to as the process ID (PID). Using a command line or system tool to reveal the parent process and user session will provide direct evidence of responsible ownership. Simply checking logs or registry entries may not reveal exact credentials if multiple sessions were active or a scheduled task was involved. Decoding the PID details generally pinpoints the user who started the process.
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What is a process ID (PID)?
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How can a command line or task manager tool help identify the user behind a PID?
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What are parent-child process relationships and why are they important in investigations?