Android Forensics

"Android Forensics" covers an open source mobile device platform based on the Linux 2.6 kernel and managed by the Open Handset Alliance. This book provides a thorough review of the Android platform including supported hardware devices, the structure of the Android development project, and implementation of core services (wireless communication, data storage, and other low-level functions).

Android Forensics: Investigation, Analysis, and Mobile Security for Google Android provides the background, techniques and analysis tools you need to effectively investigate an Android phone. This book offers a thorough review of the Android platform, including the core hardware and software components, file systems and data structures, data security considerations, and forensic acquisition techniques and strategies for the subsequent analysis require d. this book is ideal for the classroom as it teaches readers not only how to forensically acquire Android devices but also how to apply actual forensic techniques to recover data. The book lays a heavy emphasis on open source tools and step-by-step examples and includes information about Android applications needed for forensic investigations. It is organized into seven chapters that cover the history of the Android platform and its internationalization; the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) and the Android Market; a brief tutorial on Linux and Android forensics; and how to create an Ubuntu-based virtual machine (VM). The book also considers a wide array of Android-supported hardware and device types, the various Android releases, the Android software development kit (SDK), the Davlik VM, key components of Android security, and other fundamental concepts related to Android forensics, such as the Android debug bridge and the USB debugging setting. In addition, it analyzes how data are stored on an Android device and describes strategies and specific utilities that a forensic analyst or security engineer can use to examine an acquired Android device. Core Android developers and manufacturers, app developers, corporate security officers, and anyone with limited forensic experience will find this book extremely useful. It will also appeal to computer forensic and incident response professionals, including commercial/private sector contractors, consultants, and those in federal government. Named a 2011 Best Digital Forensics Book by InfoSec Reviews Ability to forensically acquire Android devices using the techniques outlined in the book Detailed information about Android applications needed for forensics investigations Important information about SQLite, a file based structured data storage relevant for both Android and many other platforms.

If you are a forensic analyst or an information security professional wanting to develop your knowledge of Android forensics, then this is the book for you. Some basic knowledge of the Android mobile platform is expected.

A comprehensive guide to Android forensics, from setting up the workstation to analyzing key artifacts Key FeaturesGet up and running with modern mobile forensic strategies and techniquesAnalyze the most popular Android applications using free and open source forensic toolsLearn malware detection and analysis techniques to investigate mobile cybersecurity incidentsBook Description Many forensic examiners rely on commercial, push-button tools to retrieve and analyze data, even though there is no tool that does either of these jobs perfectly. Learning Android Forensics will introduce you to the most up-to-date Android platform and its architecture, and provide a high-level overview of what Android forensics entails. You will understand how data is stored on Android devices and how to set up a digital forensic examination environment. As you make your way through the chapters, you will work through various physical and logical techniques to extract data from devices in order to obtain forensic evidence. You will also learn how to recover deleted data and forensically analyze application data with the help of various open source and commercial tools. In the concluding chapters, you will explore malware analysis so that you’ll be able to investigate cybersecurity incidents involving Android malware. By the end of this book, you will have a complete understanding of the Android forensic process, you will have explored open source and commercial forensic tools, and will have basic skills of Android malware identification and analysis. What you will learnUnderstand Android OS and architectureSet up a forensics environment for Android analysisPerform logical and physical data extractionsLearn to recover deleted dataExplore how to analyze application dataIdentify malware on Android devicesAnalyze Android malwareWho this book is for If you are a forensic analyst or an information security professional wanting to develop your knowledge of Android forensics, then this is the book for you. Some basic knowledge of the Android mobile platform is expected.

Become well-versed with forensics for the Android, iOS, and Windows 10 mobile platforms by learning essential techniques and exploring real-life scenarios Key FeaturesApply advanced forensic techniques to recover deleted data from mobile devicesRetrieve and analyze data stored not only on mobile devices but also on the cloud and other connected mediumsUse the power of mobile forensics on popular mobile platforms by exploring different tips, tricks, and techniquesBook Description Mobile phone forensics is the science of retrieving data from a mobile phone under forensically sound conditions. This updated fourth edition of Practical Mobile Forensics delves into the concepts of mobile forensics and its importance in today's world. The book focuses on teaching you the latest forensic techniques to investigate mobile devices across various mobile platforms. You will learn forensic techniques for multiple OS versions, including iOS 11 to iOS 13, Android 8 to Android 10, and Windows 10. The book then takes you through the latest open source and commercial mobile forensic tools, enabling you to analyze and retrieve data effectively. From inspecting the device and retrieving data from the cloud, through to successfully documenting reports of your investigations, you'll explore new techniques while building on your practical knowledge. Toward the end, you will understand the reverse engineering of applications and ways to identify malware. Finally, the book guides you through parsing popular third-party applications, including Facebook and WhatsApp. By the end of this book, you will be proficient in various mobile forensic techniques to analyze and extract data from mobile devices with the help of open source solutions. What you will learnDiscover new data extraction, data recovery, and reverse engineering techniques in mobile forensicsUnderstand iOS, Windows, and Android security mechanismsIdentify sensitive files on every mobile platformExtract data from iOS, Android, and Windows platformsUnderstand malware analysis, reverse engineering, and data analysis of mobile devicesExplore various data recovery techniques on all three mobile platformsWho this book is for This book is for forensic examiners with basic experience in mobile forensics or open source solutions for mobile forensics. Computer security professionals, researchers or anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of mobile internals will also find this book useful. Some understanding of digital forensic practices will be helpful to grasp the concepts covered in the book more effectively.

Mobile devices are ubiquitous; therefore, mobile device forensics is absolutely critical. Whether for civil or criminal investigations, being able to extract evidence from a mobile device is essential. This book covers the technical details of mobile devices and transmissions, as well as forensic methods for extracting evidence. There are books on specific issues like Android forensics or iOS forensics, but there is not currently a book that covers all the topics covered in this book. Furthermore, it is such a critical skill that mobile device forensics is the most common topic the Author is asked to teach to law enforcement. This is a niche that is not being adequately filled with current titles. An In-Depth Guide to Mobile Device Forensics is aimed towards undergraduates and graduate students studying cybersecurity or digital forensics. It covers both technical and legal issues, and includes exercises, tests/quizzes, case studies, and slides to aid comprehension.

Leverage foundational concepts and practical skills in mobile device forensics to perform forensically sound criminal investigations involving the most complex mobile devices currently available on the market. Using modern tools and techniques, this book shows you how to conduct a structured investigation process to determine the nature of the crime and to produce results that are useful in criminal proceedings. You’ll walkthrough the various phases of the mobile forensics process for both Android and iOS-based devices, including forensically extracting, collecting, and analyzing data and producing and disseminating reports. Practical cases and labs involving specialized hardware and software illustrate practical application and performance of data acquisition (including deleted data) and the analysis of extracted information. You'll also gain an advanced understanding of computer forensics, focusing on mobile devices and other devices not classifiable as laptops, desktops, or servers. This book is your pathway to developing the critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and technical writing skills necessary to effectively work in a junior-level digital forensic or cybersecurity analyst role. What You'll Learn Acquire and investigate data from mobile devices using forensically sound, industry-standard tools Understand the relationship between mobile and desktop devices in criminal and corporate investigations Analyze backup files and artifacts for forensic evidence Who This Book Is For Forensic examiners with little or basic experience in mobile forensics or open source solutions for mobile forensics. The book will also be useful to anyone seeking a deeper understanding of mobile internals.