what-is-cyber-forensics-complete-overview

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Everything is becoming online as a result of technological advancements. As everything is turning online, criminals are finding creative ways to attack devices and access information. Crooks are finding various tricks and techniques to intrude into the personal lives of people, which must be prevented.

Thus, It is essential to have an edge in surfacing technology to fight fraudsters. So, In this blog, we shall discuss cyber Cyber Forensics – the various methods to prevent cyber crimes or computer crimes.

What is cyber forensics?

Cyber forensics or computer forensics is an unavoidable and crucial element in this modern era. Cyber forensics is the field of study that deals with gathering, examining, analyzing, reporting, and presenting electronic evidence or computer-related evidence.

This collected evidence is presented before the court of law.

In short, the main aim of cyber forensics is to find out the evidence of cyber attacks and document it to find out the real culprit.

Through cyber forensics, we are able to get:

Deleted files, emails, phone calls, sms, and chats.
Recorded calls and audio of conversations.
The system which the user used and for how much time.
Identify the program that the user ran.

Finally, with all these, the investigators can carry on with the further proceedings and find out the culprit ultimately to punish him.

Scope of Cyber Forensics

The scope for cyber forensics is increasing as everything is becoming digitized. Due to the rise in cybercrime, the work of cyber forensic specialists is becoming increasingly important. Moreover, the NCRB reports that from 2016 to 2018 states that “cybercrimes are doubling, and that they could rise up to four times more than it is now. This demonstrates the significance of law enforcement in combating cybercrime and the difficulties cyber professionals face when dealing with cyber forensics”.

Importance of Cyber Forensics

In today’s modern world, everything is turning digital and there is also a rise in cyber crimes. Hence, there is cyber forensics plays a very crucial role. Let us discuss in detail the importance of cyber forensics:

Identify digital evidence to track the culprit.
Cyber forensics also helps to solve real crimes like theft, murder, robbery, etc…
It also helps businesses to be safe and secure by preventing attacks.
Innocent people can prove their innocence before the law and others.

What is Cyber Security?

Cyber security refers to the process of protecting computers, servers, mobiles, electronic devices, networks, and data credentials from intruders and malicious attacks. Cyber Security is also known as IT security or electronic information security. In short, Cyber security is preventing possible attacks on computer and hardware devices.

Difference between cyber forensics and cyber security

Cyber forensics aims to investigate crimes by collecting sufficient evidence to find out and punish the culprits. whereas cyber security refers to preventing attacks and protecting electronic systems, networks, and devices from intrusion and malicious attacks.

Stages in Cyber Forensic

Cyber forensics involves the investigation of a crime and finding out the person behind it, this has to be done in a structured format. There are 5 core steps in a cyber forensic investigation used by experts. They are:

1. Identification

Basically, the first step in the investigation process is to identify the devices and resources that are being attacked or used for an attack. These devices will contain some data that will help with the investigation. The investigation team will seize these devices and resources so as to prevent anyone else from accessing them and the possibility of tampering with the data

2. Collection, Extraction & Preservation of Data

At first, the investigation team seizes the devices, and then they extract the data from them using certain techniques. The data received has to be stored safely as it is essential for further investigation. The investigators may also create a copy of the data, known as a “forensic image.”.

3. Analysis

The next step is careful scrutiny and examination of the collected resources. The investigators search for clues and evidence to prove the case. The team recovers deleted files and carefully analyzes them. The various techniques used for analysis are data carving, keyword searches, and reverse steganography.

4. Documentation

Finally, all the findings and conclusions will be properly documented after analysis. Documentation enables one to visualize the investigation, process it, and arrive at possible conclusions. So, there is a need to properly document all the findings and materials used throughout the process.

5. Presentation

The last stage in cyber forensics is the presentation of findings. In this stage, the investigators can present the witnesses and the evidence that they found. The court judge or the committee formed will examine the findings and determine the outcome.

The above-mentioned is a well-structured process to perform cyber forensics. Following these steps enables the team to conduct a better investigation and conclude the case.

The Process of Cyber Forensics

The process used in cyber forensics investigations is:

The investigators collect a copy of the system to be examined.
Authentication and verification
Recover all deleted files and messages
Using keywords to recover additional information
Preparation of a report with complete findings.

Tools & Techniques Used by Cyber Forensic Investigators

In order to analyze the data, cyber forensic investigators employ a variety of methods and techniques, some of which are:

1. Reverse Stenography

Steganography is a technique for concealing crucial data within a digital file, image, etc. It is a very useful method during the investigation process. Therefore, it helps to analyze the data and discover a connection to the case.

2. File Analysis Tools

Cyber specialists can understand an organization’s file structure with the help of software designed for file analysis. These tools index, search, keep an eye on, and assess important files. However, the investigators will not get the accurate data and files in some cases but still, they will get something to move on with the case.

3. Live Analysis

The live analysis method examines the operating system. The target is the volatile RAM data. Hence, live analysis enables the investigators to get the current data stored in computer memory.

4. File Viewers

File viewer is software that accurately shows the information stored in a file. So, It helps in finding out all the stored data so that it can be recovered and used for further investigation procedures.

5. Deleted File Recovery

Basically, the deleted file recovery method is used to restore deleted files. This includes looking through memory for remnants of a file that was partially destroyed in order to recover it for use as evidence.

Skills Required for Cyber Forensic Expert

Basic Knowledge of Cyber Security.
Awareness of criminal laws
Excellent Communication abilities.
Knowledge of technologies – mobile phones, computers, networks, etc.
Observation and analytical abilities
Technically compatible.

In short, these are the skills by a cyber forensic expert. If a person is technically and intellectually capable to carry out all the legal and investigation procedures, then he will be an expert in cyber forensics.

Types of Cyber Forensics

Network Forensics
Disk Forensics
Database Forensics
Mobile phone Forensics
Malware Forensics
Memory Forensics

Henry Harvin’s Cyber Security Course

Technology is evolving with time, and everything is going online. As a result, cybercrime is also increasing rapidly. Hence, there is a need to prevent increasing cyber crimes, in which cyber security plays a crucial role. Cybersecurity has a wider scope in this modern world.

Henry Harvin Provides a professional course in cyber security. It is a two-way interactive online course. Also, the trainers are industrial experts with more than 23 years of experience in this industry.

Features:

Duration: 144 Hours
Course Fee: 129500/- (EMI – 14389/- per month)
Two-way interactive online live sessions.
Professional training from experienced trainers.
Get awareness about cyber security, cryptography, and Network security.
Prestigious and Valid certification.
Also. there is lifetime access to LMS, recorded videos, and doubt clearing.
Internship and placement opportunities.
In addition to all the benefits, Henry Harvin Cyber Security Academy offers the students 1-year gold membership.

In short, cyberterrorism not only poses a threat to an organization but also endangers people’s lives by promoting terrorism, drugs, and other crimes online. Therefore, it is essential to combat cybercrime. There are immense job opportunities in India as well as abroad in cyber security and cyber forensics.

Conclusion

To conclude, cyber forensics is the field of study that deals with gathering, examining, analyzing, reporting, and presenting electronic evidence to investigate cyber crimes. It also helps in locating the main offenders and in defending against hostile behavior and online threats.

As there is an increase in cyber attacks, cyber forensics is essential to prevent them. Hence, cyber security and cyber forensics are growing in demand.

Since there is a huge demand for cyber security and cyber forensics many professionals are now pursuing this as a career in these modern times.

FAQs

Q.1. What is Cyber Forensics?

Ans. Cyber forensics refers to the inspection and analysis of computer crimes to find out what happened, how it happened, and who is behind it. It involves the collection of evidence and producing it before the court to punish the culprit.

Q.2. What are the five stages of cyber Forensics?

Ans. Identification, extraction, and preservThe five steps in cyber forensics are Identification of resources, collection, extraction, and preservation of data, analysis of devices, documentation of collected evidence, and presentation before the court.

Q.3. How is Cyber security different from Cyber Forensics?

Ans. Cyber security is the prevention of cyber attacks and protection from malicious wares. Cyber forensics refers to the investigation of a crime by collecting digital evidence.

Q.4. When is Cyber forensics used?

Ans. A computer forensic investigation will be necessary if the digital material is connected to a case or legal matter. It can also be used if our information or system is invaded.