Digital Forensics

What Is Digital Forensics?

The process of identifying, conserving, evaluating, and documenting digital evidence is known as digital forensics. This is done so that, if necessary, evidence can be presented in a court of law.

The term 'digital forensics' was coined to replace the word 'computer forensics'. It has been grown to include the analysis of any gadgets that may store digital data. Although the first computer crime was documented in 1978, and the Florida Computer Act was passed the following year, it wasn't until the 1990s that the phrase 'computer crime' became widely known. National policies on digital forensics did not arise until the early 21st century.

Aspire Tech Digital Forensic Process

Like any other branch of applied science, digital forensics has its protocols and a structured process. It can be divided into five stages: identifying, preserving, analyzing, documenting, and representing steps.

• Identification: The first stage entails determining the investigation's objectives and resources required. The analysts also determine the evidence, the type of data they work with, and the devices on which the data is stored. Hard disks, mobile phones, personal computers, tablets, and other electronic storage devices are all used by digital forensics experts.
• Preservation: Analysts ensure that the data is segregated and protected at this step. It usually implies that no one can use the device until the investigation is finished, ensuring that the evidence is safe..
• Analysis: The analysis phase entails a thorough search for any relevant evidence. The experts work with files and data objects from both the system and the user. The analysts generate judgments based on the evidence they have uncovered.
• Documentation: At this point, all pertinent evidence that has been discovered is documented. It aids in the extension of the crime scene and expedites the investigation. Along with the photos, sketches, and crime scene mapping, any digital evidence is captured
• Reporting: At the end of the process, all evidence and findings are published in accordance with forensics protocols, which contain the analysis' methodology and procedures, as well as an explanation of them.

What Tools Are Used For Digital Forensics?

The professionals had a very limited choice of tools to assess digital evidence in the early phases of digital forensics development. It sparked several charges that such analyses had tampered with and corrupted evidence. Inevitably, powerful technologies aimed specifically at digital forensics investigation appeared.

• Disk and data capture tools can detect encrypted data and capture and preview the information on physical drives.
• File viewers and file analysis tools work to extract and analyze separate files.
• Registry analysis tools get the information about a user and their activities from the Windows registry.
• Internet and network analysis tools provide detailed information about traffic and monitor user’s activity on the Internet.
• Email analysis tools are designed to scan email content.
• Mobile device analysis tools help extract data from the internal and external memory of mobile devices.
• Mac OS analysis tools retrieve metadata from Mac operating systems and provide disk imaging.
• Database forensics tools can analyze and manipulate data and provide reports of activities performed.