Which tool should an incident handler use for hashing during an incident?

The selection of ssdeep as the appropriate tool for hashing during an incident is rooted in its specific capabilities in terms of file integrity verification and its unique approach to handling data. Ssdeep employs fuzzy hashing, which is particularly useful for identifying similar files—this means it can detect files that are similar but not exact matches, making it valuable for incident response where files may have been modified or partially corrupted.

In the context of incident handling, maintaining the integrity of data is crucial. Hashing allows incident handlers to create a unique fingerprint of files, making it easier to track changes, verify the state of a system, and establish what data may have been affected during a breach or other incident. Ssdeep's ability to generate fuzzy hashes can identify malicious versions of files or variations that might have been altered slightly, enhancing forensic capabilities in an incident response scenario.

The other tools listed do not serve the same purpose. Netcat is primarily a networking utility useful for reading and writing data across network connections, but it does not perform hashing. Tcpdump is a network packet analysis tool that captures and analyzes network traffic but does not hash files or data. Vmstat is a system performance monitoring tool that provides information about memory, processes, and system performance metrics, but again, it