Write short note on digital devices used in society digital forensics

Digital forensics is a branch of forensic science that deals with the recovery and investigation
of data from digital devices for legal purposes. In today's society, digital devices are
pervasive and are used for a variety of purposes, including communication, entertainment,
and data storage. The digital devices used in society digital forensics include:

Computers: Personal computers, laptops, and servers are the most common digital devices
used in digital forensics. They store a large amount of data that can be forensically analyzed,
including emails, documents, browsing history, and deleted files.

Mobile devices: Smartphones and tablets are increasingly becoming the primary devices
used for communication, social networking, and entertainment. These devices store a vast
amount of data, including text messages, call logs, photos, videos, and location data.

Storage devices: External hard drives, USB flash drives, and memory cards are commonly
used for data storage and transfer. They can also be used for illegal purposes, such as
storing and distributing illegal content, which can be investigated forensically.

IoT devices: The Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized the way we interact with our
environment, with a wide range of connected devices such as smart home devices, fitness
trackers, and medical devices. These devices collect and transmit data, which can be used
as digital evidence.

Cloud storage: Cloud storage services are becoming increasingly popular for data storage
and backup. The data stored in the cloud can also be investigated forensically, and evidence
can be extracted from cloud storage services in legal cases.

Digital devices are critical in society digital forensics, and forensic experts must have the
necessary skills and knowledge to extract, analyze and interpret digital evidence from these
devices.

Explain some Networked devices which causes the crime. In digital forensics

Networked devices are interconnected devices that communicate with each other through a
network. These devices have greatly improved our daily lives, making communication and
information sharing easier and more efficient. However, some networked devices can also
be used for criminal activities. Some examples of networked devices that can cause crime
and are investigated in digital forensics include:

Routers: Routers are used to connect devices to the internet and other networks. They can
be used by cybercriminals to set up and control botnets, which can be used to launch
distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks or to distribute malware.
Servers: Servers are computers that provide services to other computers or devices on a
network. They can be used to host illegal websites or to store illegal content such as pirated
movies, music, or software.

Smartphones: Smartphones are networked devices that can be used for illegal activities
such as cyberstalking, harassment, and distribution of illegal content. They can also be used
to carry out phishing attacks or to conduct online fraud.

IoT Devices: IoT devices, such as security cameras, smart locks, and home automation
systems, are connected to the internet and can be used by cybercriminals to launch attacks
or to spy on individuals.

Cloud-based services: Cloud-based services are used to store data, and they can be used
for illegal activities such as data theft, hacking, or cyber-espionage. Cybercriminals can also
use cloud-based services to distribute malware or to launch DDoS attacks.

In digital forensics, investigators use specialized tools and techniques to collect, analyze,
and interpret digital evidence from networked devices to identify the perpetrators of crimes
committed through these devices. Digital forensics experts must stay up to date with the
latest trends and techniques in networked devices to conduct effective investigations.

Describe the method of Evidence Collection in digital forensics

The method of evidence collection in digital forensics involves a systematic and methodical
approach to collecting and preserving digital evidence for use in legal proceedings. The
process typically involves the following steps:

Identification of Evidence: The first step in evidence collection is to identify the digital devices
or storage media that may contain relevant evidence. This could include computers, mobile
devices, servers, and cloud-based services.

Preservation of Evidence: Once the evidence has been identified, it is crucial to preserve it
to prevent any changes or modifications to the data. This involves creating an exact copy of
the data using specialized tools and techniques to ensure the integrity of the evidence.

Analysis of Evidence: The next step is to analyze the preserved evidence to identify relevant
information that may be useful in the investigation. This may involve searching for specific
keywords, recovering deleted files, or analyzing metadata.

Documentation of Evidence: As the investigation progresses, it is essential to document all

the evidence collected, including the steps taken, the tools and techniques used, and any
findings.
Presentation of Evidence: Finally, the evidence collected is presented in a clear and concise
manner to support the investigation and any legal proceedings. This may involve creating
reports, providing testimony in court, or presenting evidence to a panel of experts.

It is essential to follow established procedures and guidelines during the evidence collection
process to ensure that the evidence collected is admissible in court and withstands scrutiny.
Digital forensics experts must also maintain the chain of custody of the evidence to ensure
its integrity and credibility.

Explain the terms digital contamination. in digital forensics

Digital contamination refers to the unintentional or deliberate modification, deletion, or

corruption of digital evidence during the collection, preservation, or analysis process. Digital
contamination can occur in various ways, including mishandling of evidence, improper use of
forensic tools, and failure to follow established procedures and protocols.

Digital contamination can seriously compromise the integrity and credibility of digital
evidence and may render it inadmissible in court. It can also make it challenging to
determine the origin and authenticity of the evidence, making it difficult to attribute it to a
specific individual or source.

Examples of digital contamination include accidentally deleting critical files, modifying or

altering data during the analysis process, or using forensic tools that alter or delete digital
evidence. Digital contamination can also occur due to hardware or software malfunctions,
such as data corruption or disk errors.

To prevent digital contamination, digital forensic experts must follow established procedures
and guidelines during the evidence collection, preservation, and analysis process. They
must also use specialized tools and techniques designed to prevent any modification,
deletion, or corruption of the digital evidence. Digital forensic experts must also maintain a
clear chain of custody for the evidence to ensure its integrity and credibility.

What is previewing & imaging? Explain in detail with example.in digital forensics

Previewing and imaging are two essential techniques used in digital forensics to collect and
preserve digital evidence.

Previewing refers to the process of viewing digital data on a device without altering it. It
allows digital forensic experts to quickly assess the contents of a device or storage media to
determine if it contains any relevant evidence. Previewing is usually performed on-site and is
a non-invasive method of evidence collection.
For example, a digital forensic expert may preview the contents of a suspect's smartphone to
look for evidence of a crime. They may view the device's call logs, text messages, and social
media accounts to gather information that can be used in the investigation.

Imaging, on the other hand, involves creating an exact copy of the digital data on a device or
storage media. It is a critical step in preserving digital evidence, as it allows digital forensic
experts to work with a copy of the data instead of the original. This helps to prevent any
modifications, deletions, or corruption of the evidence.

Imaging can be performed using specialized software and hardware tools designed to create
a bit-by-bit copy of the data. The image is usually stored on a separate storage media to
ensure the integrity of the original data.

For example, a digital forensic expert may image a suspect's computer hard drive to create a
copy of all the data stored on it. They may then analyze the image to identify any relevant
evidence, such as deleted files or browser history.

In digital forensics, previewing and imaging are crucial steps in the evidence collection
process. These techniques help to preserve the integrity and credibility of digital evidence
and ensure that it can be used effectively in legal proceedings.

Explain Continuity & Hashing in digital forensics

Continuity and hashing are two important concepts in digital forensics that are used to
ensure the integrity and authenticity of digital evidence.

Continuity refers to the unbroken chain of custody of digital evidence. It is the process of
documenting the movement of digital evidence from its initial discovery to its presentation in
court. The continuity of evidence is crucial in establishing the credibility of the evidence and
ensuring that it has not been altered, deleted, or corrupted during the investigation.

Digital forensic experts maintain continuity of evidence by keeping detailed records of the
evidence, including the date, time, location, and individuals who handled the evidence. This
helps to establish a clear chain of custody and ensure that the evidence can be traced back
to its original source.

Hashing, on the other hand, is a technique used to verify the integrity of digital evidence.
Hashing is the process of generating a unique digital fingerprint, known as a hash value, for
a piece of digital data. The hash value is a fixed-length alphanumeric string that is generated
using a mathematical algorithm.

The hash value is unique to the digital data, and any changes made to the data will result in
a different hash value. Digital forensic experts can use hashing to verify the integrity of digital
evidence by comparing the hash value of the original data with the hash value of a copy of
the data.

If the hash values match, it indicates that the copy is identical to the original data, and the
data has not been altered or corrupted. If the hash values do not match, it indicates that the
data has been modified, and the integrity of the evidence has been compromised.

In digital forensics, continuity and hashing are critical concepts that help to ensure the
integrity and authenticity of digital evidence. By maintaining continuity of evidence and using
hashing techniques, digital forensic experts can establish the credibility of digital evidence
and ensure that it can be used effectively in legal proceedings.

Explain Procession steps for conduction of forensic investigation in digital forensics

The process of conducting a forensic investigation in digital forensics typically involves

several key steps:

Identification: The first step in a forensic investigation is to identify the type of digital
evidence that may be relevant to the investigation. This may include devices, storage media,
or digital data, such as emails, documents, or images.

Preservation: Once the relevant digital evidence has been identified, the next step is to
preserve it to prevent any alteration or deletion of data. This involves creating a forensic
image of the original data and storing it in a secure location to ensure that it is not tampered
with.

Collection: After the digital evidence has been preserved, it is collected for analysis. This
involves using specialized forensic tools and techniques to extract data from devices or
storage media.

Examination: The collected data is then examined in detail to identify any relevant evidence.
This may involve analyzing file metadata, network logs, or other digital artifacts to
reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the incident.

Analysis: Once the evidence has been identified and examined, it is analyzed to determine
its significance in the investigation. This may involve correlating digital evidence with witness
statements or physical evidence to build a comprehensive picture of what happened.

Reporting: Finally, the findings of the forensic investigation are reported to stakeholders,
including law enforcement, legal counsel, or other interested parties. The report should
provide a clear and concise summary of the evidence and any conclusions drawn from it.

Throughout the process, digital forensic experts must follow established procedures and
guidelines to ensure that the evidence is preserved, collected, and analyzed in a manner
that is consistent with industry best practices and legal requirements. Additionally, the chain
of custody of the evidence must be maintained to ensure that it can be traced back to its
original source and is admissible in court.