DFIR Online Training

What is Online Cybercrime?

Online cybercrime consists of a variety of crimes that take place using computer systems. This can include identity theft, credit card fraud, extortion, and theft of classified information. This is often the result of theft of private and monetary information. Phishing is another form of cybercrime. Software piracy can also be considered an online form of cybercrime. As the term suggests, the purpose of phishing is to entice people to provide their personal information or download a malicious program.

Data theft

A recent study cited that nearly half of all global cybercrimes involve the theft of sensitive information, including financial and personal data. According to the study, the likelihood of being identified and prosecuted by law enforcement is only 0.05 percent in the United States. Ransomware is an example of an online cyber crime. It infects computer systems, and demands ransom payments in return for the data. It is a well-known attack method and has become epidemic in the world.

Phishing

A phishing attack entails tricking you into giving out information that you don’t know. This allows the phisher to steal your data, upload a Trojan or other malicious software, and cause severe damage. A successful phishing attack can cause significant damage, from lost productivity to direct financial loss. Some of the damages caused by phishing attacks include intellectual property, direct monetary loss, compliance fines, and lost customers.

Cyberextortion

Cyber-extortion is an online crime where a perpetrator asks for money or information from a victim by threatening to publish their personal data, photos, or recordings. Cyber-extortion isn’t just a problem for women. It can also be used to harass men. This type of crime can be motivated by many factors, from simple pranks to more serious acts.

Software piracy

Software piracy refers to the unauthorised copying of software purchased from consumers. Software licenses are usually limited to one person or one computer site. Licensees are only permitted to make backup copies of the software, and are not allowed to distribute unauthorized copies. Software piracy can be considered a violation in copyright laws. Companies who create these products bring legal action to protect their interests. These crimes can be particularly severe.

Unsolicited bulk email sending for commercial purposes (spam),

It is possible to send bulk emails without being prosecuted, despite the common misconception that it is illegal. In fact, spam is an actual crime. The CAN-SPAM Act bans commercial messages that promote commercial websites. Spammers are not allowed to send unsolicited messages with false headers, except in certain cases, such as business-tobusiness email.

What Does a Digital Forensics Expert Do?

What does a digital forensics expert do? In short, this professional examines digital media and extracts evidence from it. These experts often use existing sysadmin tools such as the ssh command line tool to extract evidence. Next, you might ask: “What does a digitalforensics expert do?”

Examining digital media

To uncover evidence, professionals in forensics examine electronic media. To extract evidence, investigators used tools like the operating system to examine devices live. This method was risky because it could potentially alter or erase data, leading to claims of evidence tampering. Digital forensics experts use software and hardware that are specifically designed to analyze digital media. These are the top digital evidence reasons that digital forensics is so important.

Digital media evidence extraction

Digital forensics is the extraction of evidence from digital media such as emails, chat logs and photos, documents, and internet history. Forensic analysts can use advanced tools to recover data even from deleted files. They can retrieve information from accessible disk space, operating system cache, and deleted files. They then collate the information into reports. These reports can include audit information and metadata.

To extract evidence, you can use existing sysadmin software

Live analysis is a forensic method that examines a computer’s operating system from within it. It can use existing sysadmin tools, or a custom-made forensic tool. Live analysis is primarily used for volatile data analysis. Volatile data is stored in the device’s memory and stays in transit while it is powered on. If the computer is shut down, this information is lost forever. Therefore, live analysis is best performed while the computer is in operation.

Cybercrimes Investigation

Cybercrime investigation requires years of study. Digital forensics specialists analyze digital systems. This includes network connections, file systems and caching devices. They follow the involved trails, searching for fingerprints in system files, network logs, emails, and web browsing history. These fingerprints may include illegal or harmful activities, such as phishing and identity theft. Cyber forensics investigators also work with digital news agencies to track the perpetrators and uncover evidence.

Investigation of physical crimes

Computer forensics refers to the study of digital evidence and physical devices. These types of computer evidence can be created using scientific methods. They include the analysis of malware and the payload responsible for the attack. Digital forensics can also be used to analyze deleted emails, contacts, and calendars. Mobile devices can also be examined to retrieve deleted data and audiovisuals. Forensics investigators can also search for and identify spyware and viruses, and gather a complete picture of the device’s contents.

How Do You Become a Forensic Scientist?

What is forensic science? This is the field where scientists use science as evidence in civil investigations or courts of law. These evidences are usually presented in writing, but sometimes scientists need to testify in person. Forensic biology scientists are involved in the investigation of substances. Forensic biology scientists will be involved in DNA testing and minute contact traces.

Degree requirements

There are many types of degrees available, including an associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s. While associate degrees take less time and require less tuition, the career possibilities are limited. A minimum of 120 credits is required for bachelor’s degrees in forensic sciences. A bachelor’s degree in forensic science is not enough. Graduate work can take several months or even years.

Some employers may also require professional accreditation, but not all programs require it. Some employers may require specific certifications for forensics professionals, such as toxicology or criminalistics. While not required for entry-level positions, professional certifications can help differentiate applicants. There are ten specialty board accreditations that can improve employment opportunities and boost your earning potential. The Forensic Specialists Accreditation Board offers certifications in a wide range of areas, including for forensic science.

Internships

Internships are a great way for you to get involved in forensic science research and explore the field further. If you are in school and are interested in a career in this field, an internship with the Division of State Police may be ideal for you. You will receive hands-on training, and rotate through various lab parts. This internship will allow you to conduct research, carry out validation studies and analyses, and present oral presentations. You can take up an internship at the laboratory in Bemidji or St. Paul, Minnesota, or with one of the other organizations in the state. This internship has many benefits, even though you will need at least 30 hours a week.

You will be able to work with different types of evidence during a biology internship. These types of biological materials will be examined and analysed by you. Typically, you will be assigned cases that involve sexual assault, homicide, and break-and-enter. The internship will expose you to a variety of different techniques and give you valuable insight into the field of forensic science. It will also give you the chance to validate new methodologies and learn advanced techniques. You will also be working with real people who can help you in your career.

Job duties

Independent investigations will be conducted by forensic scientists to find physical evidence at crime scenes. A forensic analyst can provide expert testimony in court by performing a variety of tests such as fingerprint analysis, DNA typing, and latent print identification. As a forensic analysts, you will conduct laboratory tests using standard office software and scientific techniques. You will also need to document evidence according laboratory procedures and regulations and present your findings in court.

You will need to have extensive computer forensic knowledge and knowledge of network architecture, security, and network security. It is also important to have a working knowledge of Windows, Apple OS and Microsoft Office applications. Additionally, you will need to be able navigate across multiple platforms and communicate well in both written and spoken English. If you are interested in a career as an analyst, please see the job description below. As a forensic analyst, you will also be responsible for conducting computer forensic investigations and electronic discovery requests on behalf of corporate and legal clients.

Certification requirements

For forensic scientists to be certified, there are several requirements. Applicants must be of high moral character, integrity, and repute, as well as have been employed in a job that involves crime scene-related activities. Forensic scientists perform a variety of tasks, including responding to crime scenes, documenting them, and recovering and analyzing physical evidence. These activities are often performed by law enforcement personnel. However non-governmental individuals may occasionally be able to perform adjunct or advisory roles.

While forensic scientists are often working alone, they must show proof of their education and training. They will likely be required to present evidence in court and communicate well. Furthermore, forensic scientists need to have a high level of intellectual curiosity and integrity. Those who seek certification in this field must have a strong desire to serve the public and be ethical.

How Do Police Use Digital Forensics?

Digital devices are used to collect evidence for criminal cases by forensic examiners. When submitting digital devices to the lab, they must specify which types of information they are seeking. While call histories can be stored on cell phones, messages and emails from computers can contain documents or messages. Tablet devices can store images. The digital forensics lab can then use that information to create a detailed report of the crime. Once all information has been gathered, forensic examiners will be able to make a decision about whether or not the information is valuable.

Different agencies and bodies published guidelines for digital Forensics

For example, the Scientific Working Group on Digital Evidence published a paper in 2002 describing the best practices for computer forensics. This paper later became an ISO standard, ISO 17025, which specifies general requirements for testing and calibration laboratories. The European-led Convention on Cybercrime aims to harmonize national laws and investigative techniques in order to ensure international cooperation in the fight against cybercrime. The Convention has been ratified by 16 countries.

Digital forensics does not only apply to computers; it is also used by corporations for private investigations. Digital forensics is often used by companies to investigate suspicions of illegal activity. Computer forensics involves computers, embedded systems and static memories as well data from mobile devices. Mobile forensics is a sub-field of digital forensics that examines data on mobile devices. These devices are often used for personal or business purposes. The field can be divided into three types: digital devices, embedded, and mobile.

Tools used by forensic examiners

To conduct investigations, forensic examiners may use a variety of tools. They may use a variety of software, including ProDiscover Forensic. It is a free and platform-independent software package that aids examiners in reading, writing, and editing metadata. There is no limit to how much data can be entered. Users can also add comments and evidence to their entries. ExifTool is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Digital devices are vital in chain of evidence investigations. A suspect’s laptop or phone may contain vast amounts of information that can be used to build a case. It is not easy to get this data. That’s why forensic examiners use digital forensic tools. Using a good digital forensic tool can make the process faster and more productive.

Methods to obtain data from digital devices

Digital data can easily be lost or stolen as they are stored in many places. The law enforcement agencies use different methods to seize evidence in order to protect digital data. These methods start with securing the scene, and confirming legal authority. The devices and associated peripherals (such USB sticks, thumb drives and hard drives), are then collected and examined using different tools and techniques. Hard drives are examined in a specialized laboratory.

Before obtaining any material, the investigator will obtain an NPCC-approved Digital Processing Authorisation Form from the device’s user. This form should outline the purpose of the investigation as well as the risk to the user. In some cases, an investigator may need a warrant to extract material. This is a common practice, and should be documented on the DPN. Once the warrant has been obtained, the investigator will take control of the digital device and notify the user.

Take precautions during an examination

Before conducting a digital forensics exam, collection officers should take a few precautions. It doesn’t matter whether a cell phone connects to a network or is in “airplane mode”, it can still be contaminated. To prevent contamination, collection officers should conduct a Faraday bag assessment. This bag contains information about the phone including the FCC ID and SIM card information. Once the evidence has been recovered analysts can connect data storage media to their analysis software to carry out their analyses.

Whether a device is used for personal or business purposes, forensic experts must physically gather the contents of the device before they can begin the investigation. This requires acquiring the contents of the chip and documenting it. This process can take several hours so be prepared. In addition, digital forensics experts should take special care to make sure that no other people can alter the data on the device. Using this method, the forensic expert must also ensure that the scene is secure and that there is legal authority to seize the evidence.