Introduction to Network Forensics:

Network forensics is a branch of digital forensics that focuses on monitoring and analyzing
network traffic to detect and investigate cybercrimes, security incidents, and unauthorized
activities. It involves capturing, recording, and analyzing network events to uncover the source
of security breaches, identify malicious activities, and collect digital evidence for legal or
organizational purposes.
Importance of Network Forensics
With the increasing number of cyber threats such as hacking, malware infections, and data
breaches, network forensics plays a crucial role in cybersecurity. It helps in:
●​ Incident Response: Detecting and analyzing cyberattacks to mitigate their impact.
●​ Evidence Collection: Gathering legally admissible digital evidence.
●​ Network Monitoring: Identifying suspicious traffic patterns.
●​ Threat Intelligence: Understanding attack methodologies to enhance security defenses.
Key Phases of Network Forensics
1.​ Identification: Recognizing the occurrence of a suspicious event.
2.​ Capture & Collection: Acquiring network traffic using tools like Wireshark, tcpdump,
or Zeek.
3.​ Analysis: Examining packet data, logs, and network behaviors to identify anomalies.
4.​ Correlation & Reconstruction: Rebuilding attack scenarios to understand how the
breach happened.
5.​ Reporting & Documentation: Documenting findings for legal or security improvement
purposes.
Challenges in Network Forensics
●​ High Data Volume: Large-scale networks generate massive amounts of traffic.
●​ Encryption: Encrypted traffic (e.g., HTTPS, VPNs) complicates analysis.
●​ Stealthy Attacks: Advanced persistent threats (APTs) and zero-day exploits evade
detection.
●​ Real-time Processing: The need for rapid detection and response.
Tools Used in Network Forensics
●​ Wireshark – Packet analysis tool.
●​ Zeek (Bro) – Network traffic monitoring.
●​ Snort – Intrusion detection system (IDS).
●​ Suricata – Network threat detection.
●​ ELK Stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana) – Log and traffic analysis.

Network forensics is essential in modern cybersecurity, enabling organizations to detect,

investigate, and respond to network-based threats. As cyberattacks evolve, so must forensic
techniques and tools to ensure robust network security.
Evidence Collection and Acquisition in Network Forensics (Wired & Wireless)

Evidence collection and acquisition are crucial steps in network forensics, ensuring that digital
evidence is gathered securely, accurately, and in a legally admissible manner. The process varies
based on the type of network—wired or wireless—since each has unique challenges and
methods of data capture.

1. Evidence Collection in Wired Networks

Wired networks use physical connections (Ethernet, fiber optic cables) to transmit data.
Collecting evidence from these networks primarily involves capturing network traffic and logs.

Methods of Evidence Collection in Wired Networks

1.​ Packet Capture (PCAP)

○​ Uses tools like Wireshark, tcpdump, or Zeek to capture and analyze network
packets.
○​ Helps reconstruct communication sessions.
○​ Requires access to a network switch, router, or endpoint.
2.​ Port Mirroring (SPAN - Switched Port Analyzer)
○​ Configuring a network switch to mirror traffic to a monitoring device.
○​ Prevents disruption of normal network operations.
3.​ Network Taps
○​ Hardware devices placed between two network nodes to passively capture traffic.
○​ Used in high-security environments for forensic monitoring.
4.​ Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS) Logs
○​ Snort, Suricata, and Zeek generate logs that help in detecting intrusions and
potential threats.
5.​ Firewall & Router Logs
○​ Firewalls like pfSense, Cisco ASA record traffic flows, blocked connections, and
suspicious activities.
6.​ Endpoint Logs & SIEM Solutions
○​ Logs from Windows Event Viewer, Linux Syslogs, or Security Information
and Event Management (SIEM) systems like Splunk or ELK provide insights
into network anomalies.

2. Evidence Collection in Wireless Networks

Wireless networks (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular) pose additional challenges due to airborne
signals, encryption, and interference.
Methods of Evidence Collection in Wireless Networks

1.​ Wireless Packet Capture

○​ Captures Wi-Fi traffic using tools like Aircrack-ng, Kismet, or Wireshark.
○​ Requires a wireless adapter in monitor mode to intercept packets.
2.​ Access Point (AP) Logs
○​ Wi-Fi routers and access points store connection logs, MAC addresses, and
authentication attempts.
3.​ Wireless Intrusion Detection Systems (WIDS)
○​ Tools like AirDefense and Cisco WIDS monitor unauthorized access points
(rogue APs), attacks, and anomalies.
4.​ Bluetooth & RF Signal Capture
○​ Tools like Ubertooth One and HackRF analyze Bluetooth and radio frequency
(RF) signals for anomalies.
5.​ Cellular Network Forensics
○​ Involves extracting metadata and call logs from cell towers, IMSI catchers, or
mobile forensic tools.

3. Challenges in Network Evidence Collection

●​ Encryption (HTTPS, VPNs, WPA3) makes deep packet inspection difficult.
●​ High Data Volume can overwhelm forensic tools and storage.
●​ Legal & Privacy Concerns require proper authorization and compliance with laws like
GDPR, CCPA, or the Cybersecurity Act.
●​ Real-time Capture Complexity, as networks operate dynamically.

4. Best Practices for Evidence Collection

✅ Use forensically sound tools (Wireshark, Zeek, tcpdump).​
✅ Ensure data integrity with hashing (SHA-256, MD5).​
✅ Maintain chain of custody documentation.​
✅ Minimize evidence contamination (use passive taps instead of active interception).​
✅ Follow legal procedures to ensure admissibility in court.
Wired and wireless network forensics require distinct approaches for evidence collection. While
wired networks allow for more controlled packet capture, wireless forensics introduces
challenges like encryption, interference, and unauthorized access points. Proper tools,
techniques, and adherence to legal frameworks are essential for successful network forensic
investigations.
Analyzing network evidence from Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and routers:

Analyzing network evidence from Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and routers is a crucial
aspect of cybersecurity research, especially in forensic investigations and threat detection. Here’s
a structured approach to help you get started:

1. Objectives of Analysis

●​ Detect anomalies: Identify suspicious traffic patterns or potential cyberattacks.

●​ Investigate security incidents: Trace attack sources, affected systems, and impact.
●​ Optimize network security: Improve IDS rules and router configurations to prevent
attacks.

2. Data Collection

●​ Intrusion Detection System (IDS) Logs

○​ Tools: Snort, Suricata, Zeek (Bro)
○​ Log formats: Alerts, signatures, packet captures (pcap), flow data
●​ Router Logs
○​ NetFlow/SFlow records
○​ Syslogs from routers (Cisco, Juniper, MikroTik)
○​ Firewall logs (iptables, pfSense)
●​ Packet Captures
○​ Use Wireshark or Tcpdump for raw packet analysis

3. Analysis Techniques

●​ Traffic Flow Analysis

○​ Identify abnormal spikes in traffic.
○​ Use NetFlow or Zeek logs to analyze source-destination communication.
●​ Signature-Based Detection (IDS)
○​ Correlate IDS alerts with router logs to verify attacks.
○​ Analyze Snort/Suricata rules triggered by network events.
●​ Anomaly-Based Detection
○​ Use machine learning techniques for anomaly detection.
○​ Apply statistical analysis (entropy, standard deviation) to detect outliers.
●​ Correlation & Timeline Reconstruction
○​ Combine IDS alerts, router logs, and pcap data to reconstruct attack timelines.
○​ Use tools like ELK Stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana) for visualization.

4. Tools for Analysis

●​ Network Traffic Analysis: Wireshark, Zeek, Tcpdump
●​ Log Analysis: Splunk, ELK Stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana)
●​ Threat Intelligence: MITRE ATT&CK, VirusTotal, ThreatMiner
●​ Machine Learning for Anomaly Detection: Scikit-learn, TensorFlow