What type of files did Jayden suspect might contain useful information from a powered-off system?

The focus on password-protected files as potentially containing useful information is justified because these files often hold sensitive or valuable content that access restrictions typically layer. Password protection is a common security measure that individuals or organizations employ to safeguard critical information. If a powered-off system has files that require a password for access, it implies that they may contain confidential data that the user deemed important enough to protect.

In a forensic context, recovering password-protected files can provide insights into user behavior, potential communications, or important documents that are relevant to the investigation. Even though techniques exist to bypass password protection, the initial suspicion of these files indicates their potential significance.

While encrypted files also suggest a high level of sensitivity, the encryption often implies that there may not be access without the key, making them more challenging to analyze in the absence of further data. Hidden files might be less relevant in this context since they are often used for system operations rather than to safeguard important data, and system files generally pertain to the operation of the system rather than user-specific content. Thus, the emphasis on password-protected files aligns closely with the goal of uncovering pertinent information from a powered-off system.