We live in the information age; the way people communicate and practice business has changed tremendously. Everyday new technologies such as: operating systems, applications and automated software make our lives easier. As computer technologies continue to grow, the necessity of securing private information has not been an easy task for computer networking administrators and information security teams. For digital forensic investigators, staying on top of rapidly evolving technologies had become an everyday challenge. Therefore, there are several factors that play an important role to be successful in digital forensics career. First, you must become familiar with the newly OS platforms. Secondly, continuous testing, evaluation and research could expand the capabilities of a forensic lab. Lastly, forensic investigators should maintain connections with a …show more content…
The capabilities of a new version of Windows OS might differ drastically from previous versions. Newly OS incorporate many functions such as: auto play, file indexing, app data artifacts, Favorites and cookies that allows the possibilities to track activities, documents and users’ logs, history and confidential information. For digital forensics investigator it is important to understand all the capabilities of a new OS. Despite the challenges to extract, preserve the integrity and analyze the data and potential crimes that might arise after a new OS is released.
As we can see OSs change periodically, thus preparing our forensic lab for upcoming cases it’s crucial. An incredible amount of hours, testing and training are involved in the preparation. In this case an evaluation and training of the new OS will be indispensable to acquire the necessary steps to be prepare with this new platform:
- Type of changes in the file
Every computer installation is different. Although there are many common components and aspects, computer users can compile their system to their own desire. For this reason, it is the forensic examiner’s job to ensure that s/he has sufficient knowledge of a wide variety of hardware, software and operating systems. It is indeed possible to come across any combination of these components, and the examiner should be prepared to handle all of these. Due to the range of possibilities provided by live forensic analysis, forensic examiners only learn the principles of live acquisition and the effect that specific actions may have on the validity of the evidence. It is
For this reason, it is imperative that the information gathered is reliable and accurate to ensure the evidence collected can be utilized by the digital forensic investigator for the current case (Ingalls & Rodriguez, 2011). Additionally, cyber incidents require digital forensic investigators to interview various individuals regarding the information needed for the case. According to the National Institute of Justice (2004), interviewing the system administrator, users, and employees of an organization regarding a cyber incident would provide investigators with valuable information; for example, user accounts, email accounts, network configuration, logs, and passwords. Furthermore, for digital forensic investigators to conduct an effective interview, they must have the proper tools and training to employ the interview process. For instance, formal procedures or instructions should be developed and implemented to ensure that the investigator follows a standard during all investigations. Additionally, training should be provided to ensure that digital forensic investigators comprehend by what means to prepare, conduct, and evaluate an interview. Furthermore, resources should be made available for digital forensic investigators to accomplish their tasks; for example, recording devices and references. Also, definitions should be provided to the digital forensic investigators for
Data is crucial to the success of any company and they are now increasing their efforts in soliciting and retrieving customer data to learn more about their client's preferences, likes, and dislikes. This, among other factors has attributed to a growing field of data science where data scientists learn to collect crucial data. While there are many types of data, this paper will primarily focus on digital data and how digital scientists can retrieve these data to support provide information for the crown or for the defense. This area has received more attention because criminals such as terrorists have realized the effectiveness of using digital devices to aid in their criminal endeavors (Reith, Carr & Gunsch, 2002, p.2). To combat this, law enforcement agencies are now relying on digital scientists to preserve, collect, analysis and interpret "digital evidence derived from digital sources" (Vincze, 2016, p.184) to help prevent cybercrime and prosecute (or exonerate) suspects. The purpose of this paper is then to illustrate why digital forensic is crucial to addressing the new dangers presented in our society by analyzing the strengths and demonstrating why the weaknesses of the field
Although computer forensics is a relatively young field of crime investigation, it has become a useful area of knowledge. Organizations and companies are finding it necessary to recruit computer and network forensics investigators. These experts can detect and report various computer crimes. The reports of their findings can be used to provide useful evidence in court. This paper discusses various aspects of computer forensics. It is based on a scenario involving a computer, which is suspected to contain evidence on child pornography.
Moving onto the weaknesses, the following test will examine the acquisition of information, discovery of information, education, procedure and significance of the evidence. One of the main concerns in this field is still acquiring the information in a way that does not jeopardize the integrity of the information despite having the appropriate tools. This is because digital forensic scientists created the tools for security and other computer related purposes and not for forensic purposes (Casey, 2004, p.29). This poses specific issues when the investigators are trying to collect information in a manner that is acceptable by law, and while it is true that it is possible to create tools specifically for forensic purposes
As the lead forensic investigator for XYZ, Inc. my goal is to prepare before the investigation starts, this involves knowing the nature of the assignment and activities, prepare the tools and personnel needed to properly investigate the incident. Additionally, understanding the skill-sets required to extract digital evidence will help build the appropriate team, assign roles to staff and supervisor, and ensure the forensic investigators have appropriate background to perform the extractions needed.
Having digital forensic capabilities is very important in this era we are in. At our company, we have an in house forensics team that consists of a senior forensic investigator, project manager, computer forensic examiner, legal counsel, IT specialist, and three lab assistants.
Since the introduction of computer and technology, they have become the new weapon in committing crime, and to the burgeoning science of digital evidence, law enforcement now use computers to fight crime. Nevertheless, digital evidence is information stored, transmitted, and received in binary form that can potentially be relied on as evidence in court. Notwithstanding, digital evidence is commonly associated with crimes that involve such devices, such as a computer hard drives, external storage devices, mobile phones, among others, and are often referred to as e-crimes. However, to fight e-crime, law enforcement must collect relevant digital evidence for such crimes, law enforcement agencies are incorporating the collection and analysis of digital evidence, also referred to as computer forensics, into many of their infrastructures.
An extremely important computer forensic service is the preservation of evidence. In this step a forensic image is made of all pertinent data. This image is actually what is being analyzed and the original source where the data was extracted is put in a safe and confidential environment. The security and authenticity of this information is analyzed very carefully and handled only by a digital forensics expert.
Over the last few years law enforcement has shown some major development and growth when it comes to forensic technology. The use of things such as cell phones, computers, gps devices has drastically increased. As a result, these devices regularly contain vital evidence, including user data, call logs, position, text messages, email, imageries and audio and video recordings. When it comes to cyber forensics, law enforcement has a substantial challenge in keeping current with technology changes. New technology is released onto the marked very quickly, both hardware and software. It is imperative that these agents know when these things will hit the market and how to use them. The enormous capacity of information contained on digital devices
The need for an increase in trained personnel in the criminal justice field with a sufficient level of knowledge and skills to investigate, detect, and prosecute high technology crimes is needed with the ever-increasing problem of technology crimes occurring throughout the world. Skilled investigators are needed to not only investigate and prosecute technology crimes, skilled investigators are needed to protect evidence found on computers and other portable devices so that arrests can be made. The most common form of damage or deletion of evidence is attributed to employee errors and omissions. Any organization that uses computers constantly faced with a “variety of potential problems that can lead to the disruption or, worse, destruction of
The current literature reveals a number of proposed frameworks, models and procedures that have been put in place in an attempt to formally describe an effective digital forensic investigation process. In digital forensic investigations, various processes focus on different actions performed, such as the data extraction, data examination, and data gathering and so on. Others tend to be more concerned with the analysis of the data extracted from the digital media.
We are now in the process of purchasing computer forensics tools and resources for HJC Corporation. There are many programs, utilities, etc. available on the market that provide computer forensic data retrieval capabilities, however, we are only required to provide information on just two of these tools in our research. The purpose of computer forensics, as it is related to digital data, is to perform computer crime related investigations to discover who committed the crime and provide investigators, police and prosecutors with evidence that will be admissible in a court of law.
ABSTRACT: digital forensics is the procedure of revealing and understanding electronic information. The objective of the procedure is to protect any confirmation in its most unique structure while collecting so as to perform an organized examination, recognizing and approving the advanced data. Digital evidence is not only used for electronic crimes but also used to accuse any type of crime. The goal of digital forensic analysis is to find evidence for an investigation. This paper gives summary of digital forensics, and also the processes, and uses in digital forensics involved investigations. This paper also reviews the tools used for digital forensics in today’s world.
Computer crimes present exorbitant issues in today's society. With computer security crimes on the rise, it is becoming e crucial for law enforcement officers and digital forensic examiners to understand computer forensic efficiently and effectively. It has become critical for law enforcement and digital forensic analysts to comprehend computer frameworks productively and adequately as cybercrimes continue to rise as society relies upon the usage of technology. Assessments of information system incidents can be reviewed and evaluated through forensic methodologies. The essential the methodologies presented in digital forensic process model will ensure my forensic team identify potential digital evidence on any type of electrical gadget.