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Digital Forensics is the practice of investigating and analyzing digital devices and media to unwrap, preserve and present evidence in legal cases.
It involves recovery of data from computers, mobile phones and networks that is used to solve crimes or support legal proceedings. This field encompasses various methods to ensure the accuracy and integrity of evidence collected.
What are the types of digital forensics?
- Computer Forensics: Computer forensic is the process of collecting, analyzing and reporting on digital data found on computer systems to uncover evidence pertaining for use in legal proceedings. One of the main features of computer forensics is to recover the data that is deleted, encrypted or damaged. The forensic expert examines digital footprints left on computers to uncover the facts. Computer Forensics provides evidence in civil cases in resolving disputes including intellectual property theft, employment cases and contractual disagreements.
- Network Forensics: Network forensics involves monitoring and analyzing computer network traffic to collect information, detect intrusions and gather evidence for legal proceedings. The experts capture and examines network traffic to identify any malicious activity and this includes packets, analyzing, network protocols and track anomalies. This branch of Digital forensics plays a key role in identifying and investigating unauthorized access or attacks on network infrastructure. It can involve examining firewall logs, intrusion detection system alerts, and other network security methods. The network forensic experts determine the extent of intrusion, methods used by attackers in the event of intrusion. Companies may be required to perform network forensics to comply with regulations ensuring data breaches are properly investigated and reported.
- Mobile Device Forensics: Mobile Device Forensics is the science of recovering digital evidence from mobile devices like smart phones, tablets and digital watches. It involves extracting data from mobile devices including call logs, text messages, emails, photos, videos and app data. The forensic experts examine various artifacts stored on mobile devices, like GPS data, social media and browsing history. This branch deals with encrypted data and security features like pass codes, biometric locks and more. Specialized tools and methods are used by experts to bypass these security measures. Mobile Forensics can provide evidence in matters including custody disputes and harassment claims.
Every branch of Digital Forensics plays a key role in investigation and prosecution of digital crimes. Using various methods of digital forensics one can effectively address cyber crimes, corporate investigations and compliance issues.
also read How to securely store and transfer digital forensic evidence?
