The question describes Shane performing static analysis using the tool ResourcesExtract. This tool is specifically designed to scan executable files (e.g., EXE, DLL) and extract embedded resources. Among the resources it can extract are icons, version information, and, crucially, string tables. The process of extracting and examining these string tables for human-readable text is a form of "Strings search." This is a fundamental technique in static malware analysis used to uncover potential indicators of compromise (IoCs) like IP addresses, URLs, file paths, or commands without executing the code.

A. Identifying File Dependencies: This is typically done by analyzing the PE header's import table with tools like Dependency Walker or PE-bear, not by extracting resources.

C. Dynamic analysis: This involves running the malware in a controlled environment to observe its behavior. The question explicitly states Shane is performing static analysis.

D. File obfuscation: This is a technique used by malware authors to hide code. The analyst's job is to de-obfuscate, not perform obfuscation.

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1. Official Vendor Documentation: NirSoft, the creator of ResourcesExtract, describes the tool's function: "ResourcesExtract is a small utility that scans dll/exe files and extract all resources (bitmaps, icons, cursors, AVI files, HTML files, String Table, and more) from them into the folder that you specify."

Source: Nir Sofer, "ResourcesExtract v1.26," NirSoft.net. Retrieved from https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/resourcesextract.html (Accessed on the latest date).

2. Academic/Courseware Reference: The widely-used textbook in computer security and malware analysis courses, "Practical Malware Analysis," details the steps of basic static analysis. It dedicates sections to analyzing strings and the PE file resource section, confirming that examining resources for strings is a key part of the process.

Source: Sikorski, M., & Honig, A. (2012). Practical Malware Analysis: The Hands-On Guide to Dissecting Malicious Software. No Starch Press. (See Chapter 5: "Basic Static Analysis," specifically the sections on "The PE File Headers and Sections" and "Analyzing Strings").

3. University Courseware: SANS Institute, a reputable institution for cybersecurity education, outlines static analysis techniques in its malware analysis courses (e.g., FOR610). Analyzing strings and resources are core components of the "Basic Static Analysis" phase.

Source: SANS Institute. (2023). FOR610: Reverse-Engineering Malware: Malware Analysis Tools and Techniques. Course Syllabus and Materials. The methodology taught consistently places string and resource analysis as a primary step in static analysis.