Computer Forensics

Every computer crime leaves tracks–you just have to know where to find them. This book shows you how to collect and analyze the digital evidence left behind in a digital crime scene. Computers have always been susceptible to unwanted intrusions, but as the sophistication of computer technology increases so does the need to anticipate, and safeguard against, a corresponding rise in computer-related criminal activity. Computer forensics, the newest branch of computer security, focuses on the aftermath of a computer security incident. The goal of computer forensics is to conduct a structured investigation to determine exactly what happened, who was responsible, and to perform the investigation in such a way that the results are useful in a criminal proceeding. Written by two experts in digital investigation, Computer Forensics provides extensive information on how to handle the computer as evidence. Kruse and Heiser walk the reader through the complete forensics process–from the initial collection of evidence through the final report. Topics include an overview of the forensic relevance of encryption, the examination of digital evidence for clues, and the most effective way to present your evidence and conclusions in court. Unique forensic issues associated with both the Unix and the Windows NT/2000 operating systems are thoroughly covered. This book provides a detailed methodology for collecting, preserving, and effectively using evidence by addressing the three A's of computer forensics: Acquire the evidence without altering or damaging the original data. Authenticate that your recorded evidence is the same as the original seized data. Analyze the data without modifying the recovered data. Computer Forensics is written for everyone who is responsible for investigating digital criminal incidents or who may be interested in the techniques that such investigators use. It is equally helpful to those investigating hacked web servers, and those who are investigating the source of illegal pornography.

Updated with the latest advances from the field, GUIDE TO COMPUTER FORENSICS AND INVESTIGATIONS, Fifth Edition combines all-encompassing topic coverage and authoritative information from seasoned experts to deliver the most comprehensive forensics resource available. This proven author team's wide ranging areas of expertise mirror the breadth of coverage provided in the book, which focuses on techniques and practices for gathering and analyzing evidence used to solve crimes involving computers. Providing clear instruction on the tools and techniques of the trade, it introduces readers to every step of the computer forensics investigation-from lab set-up to testifying in court. It also details step-by-step guidance on how to use current forensics software. Appropriate for learners new to the field, it is also an excellent refresher and technology update for professionals in law enforcement, investigations, or computer security. Important Notice: Media content referenced within the product description or the product text may not be available in the ebook version.

Get up and running with collecting evidence using forensics best practices to present your findings in judicial or administrative proceedings Key Features Learn the core techniques of computer forensics to acquire and secure digital evidence skillfully Conduct a digital forensic examination and document the digital evidence collected Perform a variety of Windows forensic investigations to analyze and overcome complex challenges Book DescriptionA computer forensics investigator must possess a variety of skills, including the ability to answer legal questions, gather and document evidence, and prepare for an investigation. This book will help you get up and running with using digital forensic tools and techniques to investigate cybercrimes successfully. Starting with an overview of forensics and all the open source and commercial tools needed to get the job done, you'll learn core forensic practices for searching databases and analyzing data over networks, personal devices, and web applications. You'll then learn how to acquire valuable information from different places, such as filesystems, e-mails, browser histories, and search queries, and capture data remotely. As you advance, this book will guide you through implementing forensic techniques on multiple platforms, such as Windows, Linux, and macOS, to demonstrate how to recover valuable information as evidence. Finally, you'll get to grips with presenting your findings efficiently in judicial or administrative proceedings. By the end of this book, you'll have developed a clear understanding of how to acquire, analyze, and present digital evidence like a proficient computer forensics investigator.What you will learn Understand investigative processes, the rules of evidence, and ethical guidelines Recognize and document different types of computer hardware Understand the boot process covering BIOS, UEFI, and the boot sequence Validate forensic hardware and software Discover the locations of common Windows artifacts Document your findings using technically correct terminology Who this book is for If you're an IT beginner, student, or an investigator in the public or private sector this book is for you. This book will also help professionals and investigators who are new to incident response and digital forensics and interested in making a career in the cybersecurity domain. Individuals planning to pass the Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE) certification will also find this book useful.

Digital Forensics with Open Source Tools is the definitive book on investigating and analyzing computer systems and media using open source tools. The book is a technical procedural guide, and explains the use of open source tools on Mac, Linux and Windows systems as a platform for performing computer forensics. Both well-known and novel forensic methods are demonstrated using command-line and graphical open source computer forensic tools for examining a wide range of target systems and artifacts. Written by world-renowned forensic practitioners, this book uses the most current examination and analysis techniques in the field. It consists of 9 chapters that cover a range of topics such as the open source examination platform; disk and file system analysis; Windows systems and artifacts; Linux systems and artifacts; Mac OS X systems and artifacts; Internet artifacts; and automating analysis and extending capabilities. The book lends itself to use by students and those entering the field who do not have means to purchase new tools for different investigations. This book will appeal to forensic practitioners from areas including incident response teams and computer forensic investigators; forensic technicians from legal, audit, and consulting firms; and law enforcement agencies. Written by world-renowned forensic practitioners Details core concepts and techniques of forensic file system analysis Covers analysis of artifacts from the Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems

This guide prepares readers for both the CBT and practical phases of the exam that validates mastery of EnCase. The accompanying CD-ROM includes tools to help readers prepare for Phase II of the certification.

Would your company be prepared in the event of: * Computer-driven espionage * A devastating virus attack * A hacker's unauthorized access * A breach of data security? As the sophistication of computer technology has grown, so has therate of computer-related criminal activity. Subsequently, Americancorporations now lose billions of dollars a year to hacking,identity theft, and other computer attacks. More than ever,businesses and professionals responsible for the critical data ofcountless customers and employees need to anticipate and safeguardagainst computer intruders and attacks. The first book to successfully speak to the nontechnicalprofessional in the fields of business and law on the topic ofcomputer crime, Computer Forensics: An Essential Guide forAccountants, Lawyers, and Managers provides valuable advice on thehidden difficulties that can blindside companies and result indamaging costs. Written by industry expert Michael Sheetz, this important bookprovides readers with an honest look at the computer crimes thatcan annoy, interrupt--and devastate--a business. Readers areequipped not only with a solid understanding of how computersfacilitate fraud and financial crime, but also how computers can beused to investigate, prosecute, and prevent these crimes. If you want to know how to protect your company from computercrimes but have a limited technical background, this book is foryou. Get Computer Forensics: An Essential Guide for Accountants,Lawyers, and Managers and get prepared.

Investigative computer forensics is playing an increasingly important role in the resolution of challenges, disputes, and conflicts of every kind and in every corner of the world. Yet, for many, there is still great apprehension when contemplating leveraging these emerging technologies, preventing them from making the most of investigative computer forensics and its extraordinary potential to dissect everything from common crime to sophisticated corporate fraud. Empowering you to make tough and informed decisions during an internal investigation, electronic discovery exercise, or while engaging the capabilities of a computer forensic professional, Investigative Computer Forensics explains the investigative computer forensic process in layman’s terms that users of these services can easily digest. Computer forensic/e-discovery expert and cybercrime investigator Erik Laykin provides readers with a cross section of information gleaned from his broad experience, covering diverse areas of knowledge and proficiency from the basics of preserving and collecting evidence through to an examination of some of the future shaping trends that these technologies are having on society. Investigative Computer Forensics takes you step by step through: Issues that are present-day drivers behind the converging worlds of business, technology, law, and fraud Computers and networks—a primer on how they work and what they are Computer forensic basics, including chain of custody and evidence handling Investigative issues to know about before hiring a forensic investigator Managing forensics in electronic discovery How cyber-firefighters defend against cybercrime and other malicious online activity Emerging standards of care in the handling of electronic evidence Trends and issues affecting the future of the information revolution and society as a whole Thoroughly researched and practical, Investigative Computer Forensics helps you—whether attorney, judge, businessperson, or accountant—prepare for the forensic computer investigative process, with a plain-English look at the complex terms, issues, and risks associated with managing electronic data in investigations and discovery.

This textbook provides an introduction to digital forensics, a rapidly evolving field for solving crimes. Beginning with the basic concepts of computer forensics, each of the book’s 21 chapters focuses on a particular forensic topic composed of two parts: background knowledge and hands-on experience through practice exercises. Each theoretical or background section concludes with a series of review questions, which are prepared to test students’ understanding of the materials, while the practice exercises are intended to afford students the opportunity to apply the concepts introduced in the section on background knowledge. This experience-oriented textbook is meant to assist students in gaining a better understanding of digital forensics through hands-on practice in collecting and preserving digital evidence by completing various exercises. With 20 student-directed, inquiry-based practice exercises, students will better understand digital forensic concepts and learn digital forensic investigation techniques. This textbook is intended for upper undergraduate and graduate-level students who are taking digital-forensic related courses or working in digital forensics research. It can also be used by digital forensics practitioners, IT security analysts, and security engineers working in the IT security industry, particular IT professionals responsible for digital investigation and incident handling or researchers working in these related fields as a reference book.