Which of the following is considered volatile data in a forensic analysis?

Volatile data refers to information that is temporarily stored and can be lost if power is disrupted or if the device is turned off. Temporary files in RAM (random access memory) fall into this category because they are used actively by the operating system and applications while the device is running. Once the system powers down or is restarted, all data stored in RAM is cleared, making it essential for forensic investigators to capture this information before it is lost.

In contrast, data stored on a hard drive, backed-up files on removable media, and data held in a cloud service are all considered non-volatile. These types of data remain intact even when the device is powered off or disconnected from the network, allowing for recovery and analysis at a later time. Understanding the difference between volatile and non-volatile data is crucial for forensic investigations, as it impacts the strategies used for evidence collection and analysis.