Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary goal of computer forensics?
What is the primary goal of computer forensics?
- To ensure evidence is stored permanently
- To analyze digital media for legal purposes (correct)
- To collect evidence in a digital format
- To prevent unauthorized access to digital systems
Which of the following is NOT a component of maintaining the integrity of evidence in computer forensics?
Which of the following is NOT a component of maintaining the integrity of evidence in computer forensics?
- Ensuring the evidence remains unaltered
- Maintaining a chain of custody
- Preventing viruses on suspect machines
- Conducting public accessibility of the evidence (correct)
What does the chain of custody (CoC) refer to in computer forensics?
What does the chain of custody (CoC) refer to in computer forensics?
- The documentation of evidence handling procedures (correct)
- The analysis of stored digital evidence
- The software used for data encryption
- The process of recovering lost digital information
Why is it critical to ensure that viruses are not introduced during the analysis of a suspect machine?
Why is it critical to ensure that viruses are not introduced during the analysis of a suspect machine?
How can computer forensics assist in crime prevention?
How can computer forensics assist in crime prevention?
Which aspect of computer forensics deals specifically with the legal admissibility of digital evidence?
Which aspect of computer forensics deals specifically with the legal admissibility of digital evidence?
Which of the following technologies is likely to influence emerging patterns of criminal behavior in computer forensics?
Which of the following technologies is likely to influence emerging patterns of criminal behavior in computer forensics?
In what way does computer forensics support dispute resolution?
In what way does computer forensics support dispute resolution?
Which term refers to the actual space a file occupies on a disk?
Which term refers to the actual space a file occupies on a disk?
What are sectors in relation to disk storage?
What are sectors in relation to disk storage?
In computer forensics, which file size is most important for analysis?
In computer forensics, which file size is most important for analysis?
Which of the following is not a type of memory?
Which of the following is not a type of memory?
What is the smallest physical storage unit on a disk?
What is the smallest physical storage unit on a disk?
Which of the following best describes a 'track' in disk structure?
Which of the following best describes a 'track' in disk structure?
Which system uses a base-16 numeral system?
Which system uses a base-16 numeral system?
What is the function of the actuator arm in a disk drive?
What is the function of the actuator arm in a disk drive?
Which of the following is a traditional problem faced in computer investigations?
Which of the following is a traditional problem faced in computer investigations?
What is a common misconception that may lead to low reporting rates of cyber crimes?
What is a common misconception that may lead to low reporting rates of cyber crimes?
What cardinal rule should be followed in computer investigations to avoid evidence corruption?
What cardinal rule should be followed in computer investigations to avoid evidence corruption?
How does inadequate resources impact local law enforcement in computer forensics?
How does inadequate resources impact local law enforcement in computer forensics?
Why might forced alliances among agencies in computer investigations be unsuccessful?
Why might forced alliances among agencies in computer investigations be unsuccessful?
What is a suggested approach to maintain the integrity of digital evidence?
What is a suggested approach to maintain the integrity of digital evidence?
Which factor might discourage victims from reporting cyber crimes?
Which factor might discourage victims from reporting cyber crimes?
What is the standard size of sectors on magnetic disks formatted for Windows?
What is the standard size of sectors on magnetic disks formatted for Windows?
Which of the following best defines 'logical file size'?
Which of the following best defines 'logical file size'?
What is file slack space?
What is file slack space?
What does the partition table not identify?
What does the partition table not identify?
How many partitions can a single fixed disk have at maximum?
How many partitions can a single fixed disk have at maximum?
What is the primary function of a cluster in magnetic disk storage?
What is the primary function of a cluster in magnetic disk storage?
Which statement about disk partitions is correct?
Which statement about disk partitions is correct?
Where is partition data stored on a hard disk?
Where is partition data stored on a hard disk?
Which of the following is NOT listed as part of the data reporting tools required for a report?
Which of the following is NOT listed as part of the data reporting tools required for a report?
Which software type is specifically mentioned as necessary for cleaning data in the context of computer forensics?
Which software type is specifically mentioned as necessary for cleaning data in the context of computer forensics?
What is emphasized as a significant requirement for conducting effective investigations in computer forensics?
What is emphasized as a significant requirement for conducting effective investigations in computer forensics?
In computer forensics, why is collaboration with civilian experts and corporate entities important?
In computer forensics, why is collaboration with civilian experts and corporate entities important?
What is highlighted as a critical factor in preventing poorly managed investigations?
What is highlighted as a critical factor in preventing poorly managed investigations?
What does the Encrypting File System (EFS) potentially introduce to the investigative process?
What does the Encrypting File System (EFS) potentially introduce to the investigative process?
Which tool is used for validation in data integrity?
Which tool is used for validation in data integrity?
Why should Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) be reviewed annually?
Why should Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) be reviewed annually?
Which of the following is NOT one of the five broad categories of software tools in computer forensics?
Which of the following is NOT one of the five broad categories of software tools in computer forensics?
What is the purpose of the initial commands given by BIOS?
What is the purpose of the initial commands given by BIOS?
Which of the following is a verification tool used in computer forensics?
Which of the following is a verification tool used in computer forensics?
What does slack space allow forensic investigators to evaluate?
What does slack space allow forensic investigators to evaluate?
What might complicate the forensic investigation regarding NTFS systems?
What might complicate the forensic investigation regarding NTFS systems?
Computer forensics is only used in the cases of digital crime.
Computer forensics is only used in the cases of digital crime.
The primary goal of computer forensics is to recover and analyze digital data in a manner that can be legally presented.
The primary goal of computer forensics is to recover and analyze digital data in a manner that can be legally presented.
Maintaining a chain of custody is not critical when analyzing evidence in computer forensics.
Maintaining a chain of custody is not critical when analyzing evidence in computer forensics.
Computer forensics helps in both the detection and prevention of cyber crimes.
Computer forensics helps in both the detection and prevention of cyber crimes.
Introducing a virus to a suspect machine can help in analyzing potential evidence.
Introducing a virus to a suspect machine can help in analyzing potential evidence.
Evidence in computer forensics must remain in an altered state to ensure accurate analysis.
Evidence in computer forensics must remain in an altered state to ensure accurate analysis.
Documentation of the custody and transfer of evidence is referred to as the chain of investigation.
Documentation of the custody and transfer of evidence is referred to as the chain of investigation.
Computer forensics encompasses examining digital media to present facts about information.
Computer forensics encompasses examining digital media to present facts about information.
The maximum number of basic disk partitions that an operating system can identify is three.
The maximum number of basic disk partitions that an operating system can identify is three.
File slack space is the portion of unused space between the physical end of a file and the logical end of a cluster.
File slack space is the portion of unused space between the physical end of a file and the logical end of a cluster.
Each sector on magnetic disks formatted for Windows has a standard size of 1024 bytes.
Each sector on magnetic disks formatted for Windows has a standard size of 1024 bytes.
Clusters, the basic allocation units of magnetic disk storage, can only consist of a single sector.
Clusters, the basic allocation units of magnetic disk storage, can only consist of a single sector.
The partition table contains information about which partition is bootable.
The partition table contains information about which partition is bootable.
Magnetic disks can only have logical file sizes that are larger than their physical file sizes.
Magnetic disks can only have logical file sizes that are larger than their physical file sizes.
The physical file size reflects the actual amount of space that a file occupies on disk.
The physical file size reflects the actual amount of space that a file occupies on disk.
Disk partitions can contain multiple master boot records.
Disk partitions can contain multiple master boot records.
A file system organizes data on a hard disk in a linear fashion without discontinuities.
A file system organizes data on a hard disk in a linear fashion without discontinuities.
When a file is deleted on a FAT file system, the data is completely erased from the disk.
When a file is deleted on a FAT file system, the data is completely erased from the disk.
NTFS is considered more efficient in storage space utilization compared to FAT.
NTFS is considered more efficient in storage space utilization compared to FAT.
The Master File Table (MFT) is a key component of the NTFS file system.
The Master File Table (MFT) is a key component of the NTFS file system.
FAT32 allows for larger file sizes than NTFS.
FAT32 allows for larger file sizes than NTFS.
Disk Operating Systems (DOS) simplified the data management burden of applications.
Disk Operating Systems (DOS) simplified the data management burden of applications.
File Allocation Table (FAT) uses a binary system to identify file locations.
File Allocation Table (FAT) uses a binary system to identify file locations.
Partitions on a hard disk contribute to data security and organization.
Partitions on a hard disk contribute to data security and organization.
Slack space is the area on a disk that is not allocated to any file and cannot be used for storage.
Slack space is the area on a disk that is not allocated to any file and cannot be used for storage.
Steganography is a technique used to hide data from view, making it undetectable during analysis.
Steganography is a technique used to hide data from view, making it undetectable during analysis.
Compressed files cannot be examined with data analysis tools in computer forensics.
Compressed files cannot be examined with data analysis tools in computer forensics.
Hidden files are intentionally manipulated files designed to obscure their original contents.
Hidden files are intentionally manipulated files designed to obscure their original contents.
The Encrypting File System (EFS) simplifies the investigative process for forensic investigators.
The Encrypting File System (EFS) simplifies the investigative process for forensic investigators.
Data analysis tools are primarily used for data recovery and not for examining relationships between different files.
Data analysis tools are primarily used for data recovery and not for examining relationships between different files.
Imaging programs must alter the original disk to create a bitstream duplicate.
Imaging programs must alter the original disk to create a bitstream duplicate.
Password-protected files can be accessed freely by forensic investigators without requiring any permissions.
Password-protected files can be accessed freely by forensic investigators without requiring any permissions.
Cyclical redundancy checksum (CRC) is a tool used for data verification in computer forensics.
Cyclical redundancy checksum (CRC) is a tool used for data verification in computer forensics.
Logical extraction evaluates and recovers data based exclusively on the physical structure of the drive.
Logical extraction evaluates and recovers data based exclusively on the physical structure of the drive.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in computer forensics should be static and not reviewed.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in computer forensics should be static and not reviewed.
Text searching is a category of data analysis tools used to find specific phrases or keywords within files.
Text searching is a category of data analysis tools used to find specific phrases or keywords within files.
Operating system identification is not a consideration in data analysis of forensic investigations.
Operating system identification is not a consideration in data analysis of forensic investigations.
Data recovery tools can include methods for extracting password-protected data.
Data recovery tools can include methods for extracting password-protected data.
Data extraction tools are part of the five broad categories of software used in computer forensics.
Data extraction tools are part of the five broad categories of software used in computer forensics.
MD5-Hash is not used in computer forensics to verify data integrity.
MD5-Hash is not used in computer forensics to verify data integrity.
The extraction of the partition table is unnecessary in the data recovery process.
The extraction of the partition table is unnecessary in the data recovery process.
NTFS systems do not create fragmentation that can be evaluated in slack space.
NTFS systems do not create fragmentation that can be evaluated in slack space.
Keyword searching is useful during the physical extraction phase for data recovery.
Keyword searching is useful during the physical extraction phase for data recovery.
Firmware refers only to the hardware instructions in a computer.
Firmware refers only to the hardware instructions in a computer.
File carving is a technique that focuses on identifying and recovering entire files instead of fragments.
File carving is a technique that focuses on identifying and recovering entire files instead of fragments.
Data verification tools must include logging for any I/O errors encountered.
Data verification tools must include logging for any I/O errors encountered.
Network utilities are not considered a category of software in computer forensics.
Network utilities are not considered a category of software in computer forensics.
The integrity of a disk image file cannot be verified by imaging programs.
The integrity of a disk image file cannot be verified by imaging programs.
Flashcards
Computer Forensics
Computer Forensics
The practice of collecting, analyzing, and reporting digital data legally.
Chain of Custody
Chain of Custody
A detailed record of evidence's handling, from gathering to disposal, ensuring integrity.
Digital Evidence
Digital Evidence
Data stored electronically, used in criminal investigations or disputes.
Forensically Sound
Forensically Sound
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Crime Detection
Crime Detection
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Preventing Crimes
Preventing Crimes
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Evidence Integrity
Evidence Integrity
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Data Analysis
Data Analysis
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Computer Forensics Goal
Computer Forensics Goal
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Inadequate Resources
Inadequate Resources
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Lack of Cooperation
Lack of Cooperation
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Automated Dependence
Automated Dependence
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Low Reporting Rates
Low Reporting Rates
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Evidence Corruption
Evidence Corruption
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Documenting Evidence
Documenting Evidence
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Logical file size
Logical file size
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Physical file size
Physical file size
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Sectors
Sectors
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Logical drive
Logical drive
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Physical drive
Physical drive
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Clusters
Clusters
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Binary system
Binary system
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Track
Track
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Sector Size
Sector Size
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Sector Numbering
Sector Numbering
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File Slack Space
File Slack Space
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Partition
Partition
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Partition Table
Partition Table
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Lab Report Contents
Lab Report Contents
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Essential Software for Computer Forensics
Essential Software for Computer Forensics
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Collaboration in Forensics
Collaboration in Forensics
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Forensic Minimum Requirements
Forensic Minimum Requirements
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Challenges in Computer Forensics
Challenges in Computer Forensics
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What is a bootstrap loader?
What is a bootstrap loader?
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What does BIOS stand for?
What does BIOS stand for?
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What is POST?
What is POST?
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What is a CRC?
What is a CRC?
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What is MD5-Hash?
What is MD5-Hash?
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What is Hashkeeper?
What is Hashkeeper?
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Why are Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) important in computer forensics?
Why are Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) important in computer forensics?
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What are the 5 broad categories of software tools used in computer forensics?
What are the 5 broad categories of software tools used in computer forensics?
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What is a Forensically Sound Method?
What is a Forensically Sound Method?
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What is the Goal of Computer Forensics?
What is the Goal of Computer Forensics?
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What are the Challenges in Computer Forensics?
What are the Challenges in Computer Forensics?
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Why is Collaboration Important in Computer Forensics?
Why is Collaboration Important in Computer Forensics?
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What are sectors on a disk?
What are sectors on a disk?
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What is a cluster?
What is a cluster?
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What is file slack space?
What is file slack space?
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What is the difference between logical and physical file sizes?
What is the difference between logical and physical file sizes?
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What is a partition?
What is a partition?
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What is the purpose of a partition table?
What is the purpose of a partition table?
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What is the master boot record (MBR)?
What is the master boot record (MBR)?
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Why is partitioning important for forensics?
Why is partitioning important for forensics?
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What is fragmentation?
What is fragmentation?
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What is slack space?
What is slack space?
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File System
File System
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Data preservation tools
Data preservation tools
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Data recovery tools
Data recovery tools
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FAT (File Allocation Table)
FAT (File Allocation Table)
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Physical extraction
Physical extraction
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NTFS (New Technology File System)
NTFS (New Technology File System)
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MFT (Master File Table)
MFT (Master File Table)
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Logical extraction
Logical extraction
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Keyword searching
Keyword searching
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Hidden Partition
Hidden Partition
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Deleted File Recovery
Deleted File Recovery
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File carving
File carving
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Data analysis tools
Data analysis tools
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What makes NTFS more efficient than FAT?
What makes NTFS more efficient than FAT?
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Data reporting tools
Data reporting tools
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Why is understanding file systems crucial in forensic investigations?
Why is understanding file systems crucial in forensic investigations?
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Hidden Files
Hidden Files
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Slack Space
Slack Space
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Swap Files
Swap Files
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Password-Protected Files
Password-Protected Files
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Compressed Files
Compressed Files
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Encrypted Files
Encrypted Files
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Steganography
Steganography
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Study Notes
Computer Forensics: Terminology and Requirements
- Computer forensics is the practice of collecting, analyzing, and reporting digital data legally.
- It's used for crime detection and prevention, and disputes with digital evidence.
- Computer forensics aims to examine digital media, identify, preserve, recover, analyze, and present facts and opinions about digital information in a methodical way.
Computer Forensics - An Emerging Discipline
- New technologies affect criminal behavior, requiring adaptations in police techniques and strategies.
- Maintaining evidence integrity requires a meticulous chain of custody (CoC).
- CoC is the chronological documentation of evidence's seizure, custody, control, transfer, analysis, and disposition.
- The goal is to protect digital evidence from alteration, damage, corruption, or infection.
Traditional Problems in Computer Investigations
- Inadequate resources for law enforcement.
- Diminishing budgets and increased responsibilities limit opportunities.
- Insufficient communication and co-operation between agencies hinders investigations.
- Excessive reliance on automated tools and unverified experts contributes to less effective outcomes.
- Limited reporting by victims due to a perception of law enforcement incompetence.
- Corporate reluctance to engage with law enforcement.
- Insufficient resources within law enforcement hinder investigations.
Evidence Corruption - Cardinal Rules
- Always work from an image, keeping the original data unaltered.
- Maintain detailed documentation.
- Maintain a strict chain of custody.
Disk Structure and Digital Evidence
- Terms include: operating systems, hardware, software, firmware, computer, static memory, volatile memory (cache, RAM),
- Nonvolatile storage, computer storage, primary storage, secondary storage, floppy disks, diskettes, CD-ROMS, CD-RWs, hard/fixed disks.
- Drives: physical devices; physical and logical file sizes.
- Logical units are more significant in forensics; logical and physical sizes of files are different;
- Terms also include: spindle, ASCII, binary system, hexadecimal, clusters (file allocation units), and compressed files.
- Data is stored in fixed units, called sectors.
- Sectors are arc-shaped parts of tracks; their sizes are determined by operating systems.
- Magnetic disks formatted for Windows typically contain 512-byte sectors.
- Sectors are numbered sequentially on each track.
- Clusters comprise one or more adjacent sectors; cluster size varies based on the disk capacity.
- The minimum space allocated to an individual is the file cluster (physical space taken).
- Logical sizes are sizes of files in bytes, as they appear on a computer.
- Physical file sizes are the amount of data a file occupies (often differs from logical).
- File slack space is unused between a file's logical end and a cluster's physical end.
- Partition: Sections of hard drives the OS treats as individual units. maximum 4.
- Boot drive partition is essential for the OS to load.
- Extended partitions allow sub-divisions into logical hard-drives.
- Partitioning creates a master boot record and partition table.
- Partition table: identifies partitions, and their locations, and which partition is bootable (only one at a time).
- Partition tables contain MBR, data is stored at physical cylinder = 0; head = 0; sector = 1.
- File systems: the way an operating system organizes data on a hard drive.
- FAT (File Allocation Table) is a map of file locations.
- Data in a deleted file remains; only its allocation is freed.
- FAT size determines the amount of files.
- NTFS (New Technology File System) is more efficient and secure than FAT.
- NTFS still uses slack space.
Data Storage Scheme (continued)
- NTFS (New Technology File System) was developed by Microsoft to improve performance, security, and handle larger files.
- NTFS contains a Master File Table (MFT), describing every file.
- NTFS is more efficient in storage use and more secure compared to FAT.
- NTFS creates fragmentation in slack space useful for forensic investigation.
Disk Structure and Digital Evidence (continued)
- Firmware: operating instructions for hardware; not only hardware.
- BIOS (Basic Input/Output System): a set of initial commands, bootstrap loader (uses boot sector/absolute sector 0), POST (Power-on self-test).
- Data integrity: Techniques validate data accuracy. CRC (Cyclical redundancy checksum), MD5-Hash, or Hashkeeper software.
Developing Computer Forensic Science Capabilities
- SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) constantly evolve with technology advancements.
- SOPs must be clearly documented and accessible.
- SOPs must include appropriate software, hardware, and procedures.
- SOPs should be reviewed annually due to ongoing technology changes.
Minimum Software Requirements
Five broad categories of required software:
- Data preservation, duplication, and verification tools.
- Data recovery/extraction tools.
- Data analysis tools.
- Data reporting tools.
- Network utilities.
Data Preservation, Duplication, and Verification Tools
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) define imaging programs.
- Imaging programs must create a bitstream or image of an original disk/partition on a fixed/removable media.
- Must not alter the original disk.
- Must handle IDE and SCSI disks
- Must verify integrity of a disk image, log I/O errors, provide substantial documentation.
Data Recovery/Extraction Tools
- Physical extraction identifies data on physical drives without file system consideration
- Logical extraction identifies based on OS, file and application context, and includes active/deleted files, file slack, unallocated space.
- Physical Extraction includes keyword searching (identifies data not accounted for by OS/file system) and file carving (file recovery similar to keyword searching).
- Logical extraction recovers file info (attributes, names, times, sizes, locations); data reduction identifies and eliminates known files; recoveries deleted files; extractions from password-protected, encrypted, compressed data and file slack + unallocated space.
Data Analysis Tools
- Data analysis tools address five categories: indexing, text searching, viewers, time/application analysis.
- Examples include examining file names, systems, applications, correlations, relationships(emails/attachments), and unknown file types.
Data Reporting Tools
- Report must include lab info(address, contact), date, investigator, agency, case #, case info (suspects, victims, offenses), case identifier, evidence details, physical description of evaluated items.
Other Required Software
- Miscellaneous software(e.g., PowerPoint, word processing programs, spreadsheet apps).
- Wiping software.
- Antivirus software
- Network tools
Conclusions
- Poorly run investigations are often due to limited resources, lack of admin cooperation, or appropriate training.
- Expertise is vital; collaboration with civilian/corporate experts is beneficial.
- Minimum requirements for investigations include equipment and housing.
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Description
This quiz covers the fundamental concepts and terminology in computer forensics, including the collection and analysis of digital data for legal purposes. It also addresses the challenges faced by law enforcement and the importance of maintaining the integrity of digital evidence. Test your knowledge on the emerging discipline of computer forensics!
