Digital Investigations

Handbook of Digital Forensics and Investigation builds on the success of the Handbook of Computer Crime Investigation, bringing together renowned experts in all areas of digital forensics and investigation to provide the consummate resource for practitioners in the field. It is also designed as an accompanying text to Digital Evidence and Computer Crime. This unique collection details how to conduct digital investigations in both criminal and civil contexts, and how to locate and utilize digital evidence on computers, networks, and embedded systems. Specifically, the Investigative Methodology section of the Handbook provides expert guidance in the three main areas of practice: Forensic Analysis, Electronic Discovery, and Intrusion Investigation. The Technology section is extended and updated to reflect the state of the art in each area of specialization. The main areas of focus in the Technology section are forensic analysis of Windows, Unix, Macintosh, and embedded systems (including cellular telephones and other mobile devices), and investigations involving networks (including enterprise environments and mobile telecommunications technology). This handbook is an essential technical reference and on-the-job guide that IT professionals, forensic practitioners, law enforcement, and attorneys will rely on when confronted with computer related crime and digital evidence of any kind. *Provides methodologies proven in practice for conducting digital investigations of all kinds *Demonstrates how to locate and interpret a wide variety of digital evidence, and how it can be useful in investigations *Presents tools in the context of the investigative process, including EnCase, FTK, ProDiscover, foremost, XACT, Network Miner, Splunk, flow-tools, and many other specialized utilities and analysis platforms *Case examples in every chapter give readers a practical understanding of the technical, logistical, and legal challenges that arise in real investigations

Digital Forensics, Investigation, and Response, Fourth Edition examines the fundamentals of system forensics, addresses the tools, techniques, and methods used to perform computer forensics and investigation, and explores incident and intrusion response,

Digital forensics has been a discipline of Information Security for decades now. Its principles, methodologies, and techniques have remained consistent despite the evolution of technology, and, ultimately, it and can be applied to any form of digital data. However, within a corporate environment, digital forensic professionals are particularly challenged. They must maintain the legal admissibility and forensic viability of digital evidence in support of a broad range of different business functions that include incident response, electronic discovery (ediscovery), and ensuring the controls and accountability of such information across networks. Digital Forensics and Investigations: People, Process, and Technologies to Defend the Enterprise provides the methodologies and strategies necessary for these key business functions to seamlessly integrate digital forensic capabilities to guarantee the admissibility and integrity of digital evidence. In many books, the focus on digital evidence is primarily in the technical, software, and investigative elements, of which there are numerous publications. What tends to get overlooked are the people and process elements within the organization. Taking a step back, the book outlines the importance of integrating and accounting for the people, process, and technology components of digital forensics. In essence, to establish a holistic paradigm—and best-practice procedure and policy approach—to defending the enterprise. This book serves as a roadmap for professionals to successfully integrate an organization’s people, process, and technology with other key business functions in an enterprise’s digital forensic capabilities.

The field of computer forensics has experienced significant growth recently and those looking to get into the industry have significant opportunity for upward mobility. Focusing on the concepts investigators need to know to conduct a thorough investigation, Digital Forensics Explained provides an overall description of the forensic practice from a practitioner’s perspective. Starting with an overview, the text describes best practices based on the author’s decades of experience conducting investigations and working in information technology. It illustrates the forensic process, explains what it takes to be an investigator, and highlights emerging trends. Filled with helpful templates and contributions from seasoned experts in their respective fields, the book includes coverage of: Internet and email investigations Mobile forensics for cell phones, iPads, music players, and other small devices Cloud computing from an architecture perspective and its impact on digital forensics Anti-forensic techniques that may be employed to make a forensic exam more difficult to conduct Recoverability of information from damaged media The progression of a criminal case from start to finish Tools that are often used in an examination, including commercial, free, and open-source tools; computer and mobile tools; and things as simple as extension cords Social media and social engineering forensics Case documentation and presentation, including sample summary reports and a cover sheet for a cell phone investigation The text includes acquisition forms, a sequential process outline to guide your investigation, and a checklist of supplies you’ll need when responding to an incident. Providing you with the understanding and the tools to deal with suspects who find ways to make their digital activities hard to trace, the book also considers cultural implications, ethics, and the psychological effects that digital forensics investigations can have on investigators.

The vast majority of modern criminal investigations involve some element of digital evidence, from mobile phones, computers, CCTV and other devices. Digital Forensics: Digital Evidence in Criminal Investigations provides the reader with a better understanding of how digital evidence complements “traditional” scientific evidence and examines how it can be used more effectively and efficiently in a range of investigations. Taking a new approach to the topic, this book presents digital evidence as an adjunct to other types of evidence and discusses how it can be deployed effectively in support of investigations. The book provides investigators/SSMs/other managers with sufficient contextual and technical information to be able to make more effective use of digital evidence sources in support of a range of investigations. In particular, it considers the roles played by digital devices in society and hence in criminal activities. From this, it examines the role and nature of evidential data which may be recoverable from a range of devices, considering issues relating to reliability and usefulness of those data. Includes worked case examples, test questions and review quizzes to enhance student understanding Solutions provided in an accompanying website Includes numerous case studies throughout to highlight how digital evidence is handled at the crime scene and what can happen when procedures are carried out incorrectly Considers digital evidence in a broader context alongside other scientific evidence Discusses the role of digital devices in criminal activities and provides methods for the evaluation and prioritizing of evidence sources Includes discussion of the issues surrounding modern digital evidence examinations, for example; volume of material and its complexity Clear overview of all types of digital evidence Digital Forensics: Digital Evidence in Criminal Investigations is an invaluable text for undergraduate students taking either general forensic science courses where digital forensics may be a module or a dedicated computer/digital forensics degree course. The book is also a useful overview of the subject for postgraduate students and forensic practitioners.

Electronic discovery refers to a process in which electronic data is sought, located, secured, and searched with the intent of using it as evidence in a legal case. Computer forensics is the application of computer investigation and analysis techniques to perform an investigation to find out exactly what happened on a computer and who was responsible. IDC estimates that the U.S. market for computer forensics will be grow from $252 million in 2004 to $630 million by 2009. Business is strong outside the United States, as well. By 2011, the estimated international market will be $1.8 billion dollars. The Techno Forensics Conference has increased in size by almost 50% in its second year; another example of the rapid growth in the market. This book is the first to combine cybercrime and digital forensic topics to provides law enforcement and IT security professionals with the information needed to manage a digital investigation. Everything needed for analyzing forensic data and recovering digital evidence can be found in one place, including instructions for building a digital forensics lab. * Digital investigation and forensics is a growing industry * Corporate I.T. departments investigating corporate espionage and criminal activities are learning as they go and need a comprehensive guide to e-discovery * Appeals to law enforcement agencies with limited budgets

As computer and internet technologies continue to advance at a fast pace, the rate of cybercrimes is increasing. Crimes employing mobile devices, data embedding/mining systems, computers, network communications, or any malware impose a huge threat to data security, while cyberbullying, cyberstalking, child pornography, and trafficking crimes are made easier through the anonymity of the internet. New developments in digital forensics tools and an understanding of current criminal activities can greatly assist in minimizing attacks on individuals, organizations, and society as a whole. Digital Forensics and Forensic Investigations: Breakthroughs in Research and Practice addresses current challenges and issues emerging in cyber forensics and new investigative tools and methods that can be adopted and implemented to address these issues and counter security breaches within various organizations. It also examines a variety of topics such as advanced techniques for forensic developments in computer and communication-link environments and legal perspectives including procedures for cyber investigations, standards, and policies. Highlighting a range of topics such as cybercrime, threat detection, and forensic science, this publication is an ideal reference source for security analysts, law enforcement, lawmakers, government officials, IT professionals, researchers, practitioners, academicians, and students currently investigating the up-and-coming aspects surrounding network security, computer science, and security engineering.

This book covers the full life cycle of conducting a mobile and computer digital forensic examination, including planning and performing an investigation as well as report writing and testifying. Case reviews in corporate, civil, and criminal situations are also described from both prosecution and defense perspectives. Digital Forensics Explained, Second Edition draws from years of experience in local, state, federal, and international environments and highlights the challenges inherent in deficient cyber security practices. Topics include the importance of following the scientific method and verification, legal and ethical issues, planning an investigation (including tools and techniques), incident response, case project management and authorization, social media and internet, cloud, anti-forensics, link and visual analysis, and psychological considerations. The book is a valuable resource for the academic environment, law enforcement, those in the legal profession, and those working in the cyber security field. Case reviews include cyber security breaches, anti-forensic challenges, child exploitation, and social media investigations. Greg Gogolin, PhD, CISSP, is a Professor of Information Security and Intelligence at Ferris State University and a licensed Professional Investigator. He has worked more than 100 cases in criminal, civil, and corporate environments.