Evidence Acquisition

As we discussed in the previous chapter, digital forensics is a rapidly growing field of computer science that focuses on identifying, collecting, analyzing, preserving, and presenting digital evidence. It is used to investigate cybercrime, identify malicious activity, and recover lost or deleted data. The acquisition of digital evidence from a Windows operating system (Windows OS) is an important part of the digital forensics process.

As we know, Windows OS is one of the most widely used operating systems in the world. It is used by millions of people for personal and business purposes. As such, it is a prime target for cybercriminals who seek to gain access to sensitive information or disrupt operations.

Acquiring digital evidence from a Windows machine is a complex process that requires specialized knowledge and tools.

In this chapter, we will cover the following main topics:

• An overview of evidence acquisition for Windows OS
• A forensic...

Technical requirements

For this chapter’s exercise, we will utilize the virtual machine (VM) configured previously and install several tools for data acquisition and mounting, as follows:

• KAPE: https://www.kroll.com/en/services/cyber-risk/incident-response-litigation-support/kroll-artifact-parser-extractor-kape
• FTK Imager: https://www.exterro.com/ftk-imager

Important note

For labs, we will use KAPE and FTK Imager to acquire forensic evidence. We will use this evidence for educational purposes; however, the same applies to real-world incidents.

An overview of evidence acquisition for Windows OS

One of the important stages in digital forensics is acquisition. This is the process of collecting digital evidence from a computer system running an operating system. This evidence can be used to investigate and prosecute criminal activities, as well as to provide information for civil litigation. Digital forensics acquisition involves the collection of data from a variety of sources, including hard drives, removable media, network connections, and other digital devices.

Here is a brief overview of the steps that are performed during digital forensics acquisition:

1. The first step in digital forensics acquisition is to identify the source of the evidence. This includes determining what type of device or system is being examined and what type of data is stored on it.
2. Once this has been established, the next step is to create an image or copy of the data on the device or system. This image will be used as a reference point...

A forensic analyst’s jump bag (first responder kit)

A digital forensic examiner’s jump bag is a collection of tools and equipment used by digital forensics analysts to collect, analyze, and report on digital evidence. It is an essential part of any digital forensics investigation and can be used to quickly respond to a crime scene or other incident. The contents of a jump bag vary depending on the type of investigation being conducted but typically include items such as hard drives, flash drives, memory cards, cables, adapters, and other hardware. Additionally, the analyst may also carry software such as forensic imaging tools and analysis programs.

The purpose of a jump bag is to provide the analyst with all the required tools and equipment for a successful investigation. This includes items that are required for data collection, such as hard drives and memory cards, as well as items that are required for analysis, such as forensic imaging software. Having all these...

Understanding the order of volatility

When it comes to digital forensics, understanding the order of volatility is essential. This concept is especially important when dealing with Windows forensic evidence. The order of volatility refers to the order in which data is lost from a computer system when it is powered off or shut down. It is important to understand this concept to properly analyze and interpret Windows forensic evidence.

The order of volatility can be broken down into two categories, as follows:

• Volatile data: Volatile data is the most ephemeral and will be lost first when a system is powered off or shut down. This includes data stored in RAM, such as running processes, open files, and network connections.
• Non-volatile data: Non-volatile data includes information stored on hard drives or other storage media that may remain intact after a system has been powered off or shut down. This includes information such as filesystem metadata, registry entries, user...

Acquisition tools for Windows OS

The process of evidence acquisition involves gathering digital evidence from devices to be analyzed and presented. It is imperative that this evidence is collected in a forensically sound manner using tools that preserve its integrity. In this section, we will explore various tools for acquisition and triage.

One of the most common methods of acquiring digital evidence is disk imaging. Disk imaging involves making an exact copy of all data stored on a hard drive or another storage device. This copy can then be analyzed by forensic investigators without altering the original data on the drive. Disk imaging can also be used to create backups of important data, which can then be used if the original data is lost or corrupted. When performing disk imaging for Windows forensics, several steps must be taken to ensure that all relevant data is captured and preserved properly.

The first step is to identify which drives need to be imaged and what type...

Evidence collection and acquisition exercise

In this section, we will apply what we have learned so far. Proceed as follows:

1. Using KAPE, collect the prefetch file by using the command line.
2. Collect registry hives using the KAPE GUI.
3. Perform image acquisition using FTK Imager and name the image Forensic_Image_01.
4. Configure CyLR to collect only $MFT and execute it.

Summary

In this chapter, we discussed the tools and techniques used to acquire and collect digital forensic evidence. We learned about the effective use of tools such as KAPE and FTK Imager, which can help us to properly acquire evidence and ensure its integrity. By familiarizing ourselves with these tools, we can better navigate the complexities of forensic investigations and preserve the CoC for the evidence we collect.

By understanding this chapter, you will be able to collect and preserve digital evidence using various tools.

In the next chapter, we will explore the field of memory forensics. Memory forensics is the process of analyzing a computer’s volatile memory, which can provide valuable insights into active processes, network connections, and potential malicious activity. We will discuss prominent tools and methodologies used in memory forensics, and we will learn how to use these tools to uncover advanced threats and expose intricate attack vectors.

I hope...