Operating System Forensics is that the process of retrieving useful information from the OS (OS) of the pc or mobile device in question. The aim of collecting this information is to accumulate empirical evidence against the perpetrator.
An OS (OS) is that the software component of a computing system that’s liable for the management and coordination of activities and therefore the sharing of the resources of the pc . The OS acts as a number for application programs that are run on the machine.
“OS Forensics” involves forensic examination of the OS of the pc . the foremost commonly used operating systems are Windows, Mac, and Linux. it’s highly likely that the forensic investigators may encounter one among these operating systems during any crime investigation. it’s imperative that they need thorough knowledge about these operating systems, their features, methods of processing, data storage and retrieval also as other characteristics.
The investigators should even have thorough understanding of the commands or methodologies used, key technical concepts, process of collecting volatile and non-volatile data, memory analysis, Windows registry analysis, cache, cookie, and history analysis, etc. so as to conduct a successful digital forensic investigation.
A computer’s OS (OS) is that the collection of software that interfaces with hardware and controls the functioning of its pieces, like the hard disc , processor, memory, and lots of other components. Forensic investigation on an OS are often performed because it’s liable for file management, memory management, logging, user management, and lots of other relevant details.
The forensic examiner must understand OSs, file systems, and various tools required to perform a radical forensic examination of the suspected machine. Modern OSs track an honest deal of data that would become artifacts of evidentiary value on the eve of forensic examination.
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What is OS Forensics?
Operating System Forensics is that the process of retrieving useful information from the OS (OS) of the pc or mobile device in question. The aim of collecting this information is to accumulate empirical evidence against the perpetrator.
The understanding of an OS and its file system is important to recover data for computer investigations. The filing system provides an OS with a roadmap to data on the hard disc . The file system also identifies how disk drive stores data. There are many file systems introduced for various operating systems, like FAT, exFAT, and NTFS for Windows Operating Systems (OSs), and Ext2fs, or Ext3fs for Linux OSs. Data and file recovery techniques for these file systems include data carving, slack space, and data hiding. Another important aspect of OS forensics is memory forensics, which includes virtual storage , Windows memory, Linux memory, Mac OS memory, memory extraction, and swap spaces. OS forensics also involves web browsing artifacts, like messaging and email artifacts. Some indispensable aspects of OS forensics are discussed in subsequent sections.
Data Acquisition Methods for OS Forensics
There are four Data Acquisition methods for OS forensics which will be performed on both Static Acquisition and Live Acquisition. These methods are:
Disk-to-image file: A forensic examiner can make a 1 or quite one copy of a drive under the OS in question. The tools used for these methods are iLookIX, X-Ways, FTK, EnCase, or ProDiscover.
Disk-to-disk copy: This works best when the disk-to-image method isn’t possible. Tools for this approach include SnapCopy, EnCase, or SafeBack.
Disk-to-data file: This method creates a disk-to-data or disk-to-disk file.
The Sparse copy of a file: this is often a preferable method if time is restricted and therefore the disk features a large volume of knowledge storage.
For both Linux and Windows Operating Systems, write-blocking utilities with Graphical interface (GUI) tools must be utilized in to realize access to switch the files. A Linux Live CD offers many useful tools for digital forensics acquisition.
Also Read : Anti-Forensics Tools
Data Analysis for OS Forensics
Forensic examiners perform data analysis to look at artifacts left by perpetrators, hackers, viruses, and spyware. They scan deleted entries, swap or page files, spool files, and RAM during this process. These collected artifacts can provide a wealth of data with reference to how malicious actors tried to hide their tracks and what they were doing to a system. for instance , recall the above love triangle of Russian students. the feminine defendant’s print artifacts helped the forensic examiners to prove her culpability within the murder.
Questions related to this topic
- Which tool is needed for a computer forensics job?
- What software do police use to recover data?
- What are the forensic tools?
- What are the top five tools in the forensic analysis field?
- What is Operating System Forensics ?
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