Scribd
Upload
8 views6 pages

## ? Understanding Computer Forensics

The document provides a comprehensive overview of computer forensics, detailing its importance in investigating digital crimes, recovering data, and presenting evidence in court. It covers key concepts such as digital forensics science, the life cycle of forensic investigations, and challenges faced in the field, including encryption and data volume. Additionally, it highlights the significance of social media security threats and the chain of custody in maintaining evidence integrity.

Uploaded by

2k23.cs2310149
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
8 views6 pages

## ? Understanding Computer Forensics

The document provides a comprehensive overview of computer forensics, detailing its importance in investigating digital crimes, recovering data, and presenting evidence in court. It covers key concepts such as digital forensics science, the life cycle of forensic investigations, and challenges faced in the field, including encryption and data volume. Additionally, it highlights the significance of social media security threats and the chain of custody in maintaining evidence integrity.

Uploaded by

2k23.cs2310149
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 6

## 🧪 **UNDERSTANDING COMPUTER FORENSICS**

Includes definitions, diagrams, and flowcharts to make your **cybersecurity exam prep complete
and self-contained**.

---

## 🧷 UNIT 3: UNDERSTANDING COMPUTER FORENSICS


---

### 🧾 **1. Introduction**


**Computer Forensics** is a branch of digital forensic science that deals with **identifying,
preserving, analyzing, and presenting digital evidence** in a legally acceptable way.

#### Key Objectives:

* **Investigate digital crimes**


* **Recover deleted or hidden data**
* **Present evidence in court**

---

### 🔬 **2. Digital Forensics Science**


**Digital Forensics Science** involves applying **scientific methods and tools** to extract digital
evidence.

#### Domains:

* **Computer Forensics**
* **Network Forensics**
* **Mobile Forensics**
* **Cloud Forensics**

#### Diagram: Scope of Digital Forensics

```plaintext
[Digital Forensics Science]
/ | \ \
Computer Mobile Network Cloud
```
---

### 📌 **3. The Need for Computer Forensics**


#### Why it's important:

* Investigate **cybercrimes** (e.g., hacking, data theft)


* Enforce **corporate policy violations**
* Help in **civil/criminal litigation**
* Ensure **regulatory compliance** (HIPAA, GDPR, etc.)

#### Examples of Use:

* Tracing fraud emails


* Recovering files after deletion
* Identifying insider threats

---

### 🕵️‍♂️ **4. Cyber Forensics and Digital Evidence**


* **Cyber Forensics:** Application of forensic methods to cybercrime investigation.
* **Digital Evidence:** Any data stored/transmitted using digital devices that can support or
refute a legal claim.

#### Types of Digital Evidence:

| Type | Example |
| -------- | ------------------------- |
| Document | Word, PDF, emails |
| Logs | Firewall, system logs |
| Media | Images, videos |
| Metadata | File timestamps, GPS info |

---

### 📧 **5. Forensics Analysis of E-Mail**


E-mails are often used in frauds, scams, phishing, etc.

#### Steps in Email Forensics:

1. **Header Analysis** – Identify sender's IP, server info


2. **Server Logs** – Track email transmission
3. **Keyword Search** – Look for suspicious words
4. **Attachment Analysis** – Detect malware or hidden data

#### Diagram: Email Forensics Process

```plaintext
[Email Header] --> [Extract IP, Timestamps]
↓
[Analyze Body, Attachments] --> [Recover Metadata]
```

---

### 🔁 **6. Digital Forensics Life Cycle**


This life cycle outlines the complete process of a forensic investigation.

#### Stages:

1. **Identification** – Locate evidence


2. **Preservation** – Secure data from alteration
3. **Collection** – Acquire data systematically
4. **Examination** – Analyze the content
5. **Analysis** – Interpret the findings
6. **Presentation** – Report in legal format

#### Flowchart: Digital Forensics Life Cycle

```plaintext
[Identification] → [Preservation] → [Collection]
↓ ↓ ↓
[Examination] → [Analysis] → [Presentation]
```

---

### 🔗 **7. Chain of Custody Concept**


**Chain of Custody** is a documented trail that shows **who collected, handled, transferred,
and analyzed** digital evidence.

#### Importance:
* Maintains **integrity** of evidence
* Ensures **admissibility** in court
* Tracks **evidence movement**

#### Diagram: Chain of Custody

```plaintext
[Evidence Collected] → [Logged & Tagged] → [Transferred]
↓ ↓
[Stored Securely] ← [Access Logged by Investigator]
```

---

### 🌐 **8. Network Forensics**


**Network Forensics** is the monitoring and analysis of network traffic for **evidence
collection**.

#### Key Activities:

* **Packet capturing**
* **Analyzing logs**
* **Detecting anomalies**
* **Tracing cyber-attacks**

#### Tools: Wireshark, tcpdump, Splunk

#### Flow:

```plaintext
[Capture Packets] → [Analyze Headers & Payloads] → [Reconstruct Events]
```

---

### 🖥️ **9. Approaching a Computer Forensics Investigation**


#### Step-by-Step Process:

1. **Pre-Investigation Planning**
2. **Seize Digital Devices Legally**
3. **Preserve Evidence (imaging, hashing)**
4. **Analyze Systems (OS, files, logs)**
5. **Document Everything**
6. **Generate Investigation Report**
7. **Present Findings in Court**

#### Flowchart:

```plaintext
[Planning] → [Seizure] → [Preservation] → [Analysis]
↓ ↓
[Reporting] ← [Documentation] ← [Presentation]
```

---

## 🤳 **FORENSICS AND SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES**


---

### 📡 **1. Security/Privacy Threats in Social Media**


| Threat | Description |
| ----------------------- | --------------------------------- |
| **Identity Theft** | Fake profiles impersonating users |
| **Phishing Links** | Shared via DMs, comments |
| **Data Leakage** | Oversharing personal details |
| **Geotagging** | Location info can be misused |
| **Malicious Ads/Links** | Lead to malware infection |

---

### ⚠️ **2. Challenges in Computer Forensics**


#### Major Challenges:

| Challenge | Impact |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| **Encryption** | Hard to access data without keys |
| **Data Volume** | Too much data to process |
| **Anti-forensics** | Tools that hide or destroy evidence |
| **Cloud Storage** | Jurisdiction and accessibility issues |
| **Lack of Standards** | Inconsistent forensic procedures |
| **Rapid Tech Changes** | Tools may become obsolete quickly |

---
## 🧠 **Summary Table**
| Concept | Summary |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| Digital Forensics | Scientific approach to digital crime |
| Email Forensics | Analyze headers, metadata, attachments |
| Chain of Custody | Legal evidence handling trail |
| Forensics Life Cycle | Identification → Preservation → Analysis → Report |
| Social Media Threats | Identity theft, phishing, data leakage |
| Challenges | Encryption, cloud storage, data overload |

---

You might also like