Digital forensics is one of the interesting and exciting topics. Most people tend to think that digital forensics and cyber forensics are the same which is not the case. Cyber forensics requires a whole computer system to carry out a cybercrime investigation whereas digital forensics includes other electronic devices. Rules and regulations are to be followed and guided by the law. In this article, l will talk about what digital forensics really is and its importance.

What is Digital Forensics?

Digital forensics refers to the science of extracting data as proof of evidence for a crime that has been committed through the use of electronic devices. The process involves proper, well-documented investigations to nab the culprit. Digital forensics involves the recovery of deleted files, audio, text messages, emails, chat logs, etc. It also determines which user used which system and methods were used and for how long. Can also reveal which programs were used and to what extent. All this is done through digital forensics. Digital forensics is very important because it protects business people, and individuals, and the availability, confidentiality, and integrity(CIA) of data from cybercrime. Also, justice is served for those who would have fallen victim to cybercrime.

Processes Involved

When carrying out digital forensics there are certain procedures and guidelines that should be followed:

• Identification - Extract a digital copy of the system required to be investigated.

• Preservation - Verify and authenticate the investigation

• Analysis - Recovery of deleted messages, recorded conversations. This is done using an autopsy tool which is used by investigators to discover what really happened on the phone or a computer. Use of keywords is also used to obtain the information they might need.

• Documentation - Establish a technical report

• Presentation of the report.

Types of Digital Forensics

There are different types of digital forensics:

• Network forensics

• Malware forensics

• Email forensics

• Mobile phone forensics

• Memory forensics

• Disk forensics

• Database forensics

Network Forensics

Deals with the control and monitoring of the network traffic so as to obtain information or data that might be valid for the investigation as evidence. Usually monitors the network traffic so as to identify suspicious activities such as malware or an intrusion. An example can be web server logs. They help identify if the suspected person has any connection to the criminal activity that is being investigated.

Malware Forensics

This branch is responsible for the identification of malicious activities, codes, viruses, worms etc that might have been used by the culprit. The reason why malware forensics is crucial is because it helps security analysts to carry out vulnerability assessment and penetration testing(VAPT), which helps them to identify and solve malware problems. Once a malware analysis has been carried out, security analysts are able to identify the damage an intrusion has caused, who tempered with the system, and the method used to gain access to the system.

Email Forensics

Include the recovery of deleted contacts, files, calendars, and emails. All these are analyzed. Email forensics also helps identify the agenda of the message between the sender and the receiver, at what time, and the date it was sent.

Mobile Phone Forensics

This branch is responsible for restoring call logs, contacts, text messages, audio, and recorded videos on mobile devices such as cell phones and tablets. One of the biggest challenges being faced with this process is data availability and integrity. By data availability l mean data might be tempered by being unavailable which might become a challenge to the investigators. Data might be changed also hence integrity is compromised. This might become a challenge also because it will be very difficult to present data that has been changed or made unavailable.

Memory Forensics

This process involves collecting information that is stored within the memory of a system and they analyze it then collect information that might be relevant for the investigation. Can be a memory that is cache, RAM, or systems registers.

Disk forensics

A lot of people tend to confuse memory forensics and disk forensics and think they are the same. However, there is a difference in that disk forensics deals with file systems, and every file on that device is analyzed, unlike memory forensics which focuses only on the programs that were active and running on that device.

Database Forensics

We all know a database is a collection of structured data that is stored on a computer. However, databases are prone to cyber-attacks. That is where database forensics comes into part because it helps identify the data stored within the database system and carefully examined to identify any clues that can be crucial within the investigation.

Challenges Faced in Digital Forensics

Digital forensics also faces some problems and here are some of the main challenges:

• Since digital forensics deals with electronic evidence, sometimes it is very difficult to obtain tangible or physical evidence which might become a problem for the detectives

• The rapid increase in social engineering attacks

• The amount of storage that is required to carry out the investigations

• With the rapid technological upgrading and changes, it means there is a need to change the tools and machines used when carrying out their investigations. That might become expensive.

However, there are some benefits that come with Digital forensics which are:

• It provides factual evidence that surely a crime has been committed in court.

• Allows tracking of all cybercrime activities that are happening at any given place and time in the world.

• Also helps the companies be aware of what is really happening on their networks, servers, and computer systems on the internet

• Ensures confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data.

Use of Digital Forensics

• Intellectual Property theft: this is one of the most burning issues that most people have fallen victim to where scammers fake their identities as private agencies for a company that does not exist. Customers are lured into accepting the deal without realizing it is a scam till they notice something off about the agent. That is where digital forensics comes to the part where recorded phone calls, texts, contacts, and emails are used to gather evidence for the courts.

• Cybercrime and fraud investigations: in our everyday life, we encounter cyber-attacks, and proof is needed to confirm that suspicious activity has occurred.

• Unethical use of the internet: for example visiting prohibited sites such as pornography.

• Employment chaos: in the event that a dispute has risen at a workplace whether between the employee or employer, certain actions require digital forensics so as to solve the mess.

• Forgeries issues: in the event that your signature might have been used to sign documents that might be very important without your knowledge, digital forensics helps uncover the whole mystery.

• Industrial mess: in the event that an incident has occurred whether natural or human error, digital forensics helps pinpoint exactly what happened and come up with a comprehensive report.

Conclusion

Digital forensics requires someone who is very patient because there are certain procedures and guidelines that should be followed when carrying out investigations.

That’s it for this article!

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