Introduction to Computer Forensics: Techniques and Responsibilities
This course, CCJ 346, delves into the technologies and techniques essential for conducting criminal and civil digital investigations. Students will learn how to collect, preserve, and document digital evidence while understanding the legal and ethical considerations involved. Course elements include analysis of computers, networks, and digital devices, as well as hands-on lab experiences. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to navigate the complexities of digital evidence, emphasizing the fragility of digital data and the importance of maintaining a proper evidentiary trail.
Introduction to Computer Forensics: Techniques and Responsibilities
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Computer/Digital Forensics • Lynn Ackler • Office – CSC 222 • Office Hours • MR 9 – 10 • Any time you find me • Course • CCJ 346 – CRN 2037 • TR 10:00 – 12:00
Course • 2-3 hours of lecture per week • 1-2 hours of lab per week • Attendance • Your responsibility • Labs • Must be done on Wednesdays, 3 - 4
Course Requirements • Lab Reports – A bunch • Web History • MD5 Hash and Disk Clone • Evidence Recovery • Seizure • Phishing • 1 mid-term exam • 1 Final – comprehensive
Course Description • Surveys the technologies, techniques, and responsibilities of a criminal or civil investigation involving computers, digital devices, networks, network service providers and electronic evidence. • Examines rules of evidence and proof and emphasizes maintaining an evidentiary trail through computer data and network activity. • Reviews the responsibilities of the computer forensics investigator. • Discusses the fragility of computer evidence and the techniques used to protect evidence. • SOU Course Catalog
Course Objectives • Find evidence of individual behavior on a computer. • Seize digital devices. • Search, preserve and document digital evidence. • Discuss the many ways that a digital device may be involved criminal or illegal activities. • Discuss the legal and ethical aspects of computer forensics. • Describe the many vulnerabilities to your personal and professional life that computers and computer networks pose.
Acceptable Use If you violate ethical or legal standards regarding computer/network usage you are subject to dismissal and/or legal prosecution. See 30/03/08ww.sou.edu/usage.html
Computer Forensics • As in all endeavors: • “Blame always falls some where.” • Rule: • “Let it not be in your lap.”
Computer Forensics • Discovery and recovery of digital evidence • Usually post facto • Sometimes real time • Types of forensic investigations • Liturgical • Going to court • Crimes, etc. • Non-Liturgical • Administrative adjudication • Industry
Purpose • Prove or disprove criminal activity • Prove or disprove policy violation • Prove or disprove malicious behavior to or by the computer/user • If the evidence is there, the case is yours to lose with very little effort.
Legal and Ethical Issues • Computer Forensic Exams are Illegal. • Without the cover of Law • 4th Amendment • You will learn dual use technology. • All tools can be used to commit crime • All procedures can be used to hide crime • It is unethical to breach some ones expectation of privacy.
Responsibilities • Evidence • All of it • Emphasis on exculpatory • Respect for suspects privacy and rights • Beware of collateral damage • Be very very careful if you demonstrate what you can do.
Business Issues • No interruption of business • Know the policies of the business • Sensitive to the business costs during an investigation
Privacy Issues • Rights of the suspect • Liabilities of the investigator • Public versus private storage of information • Expectation of privacy
Forensics Intro Web Behavior Digital Devices and Networks Computer Laws “Computer” Seizure “Computer” Search Case Development Internet Course Outline
CT/CSI Counter Terrorism / Crime Scene Investigation 2006 The Forensics Experience
Evidence • Forensics is all about evidence. • Something that tends to prove or disprove the existence of an alleged fact. • 03/30/08 Federal Rules of Evidence govern proceedings in the courts of the United States.
Evidence • Admissible • must be legally obtained and relevant • Reliable • has not been tainted (changed) since acquisition • Authentic • the real thing, not a replica • Complete • includes any exculpatory evidence • Believable • lawyers, judge & jury can understand it
Evidence • Admissible • Search Warrant, Wire Tap, NSL • Reliable • Chain of custody, protected, properly handled • Not tainted, not changed, MD5 • Authentic • Computer data is different • Complete • Must search entire hard disk • Believable • Impossible for geeks
Definition of Forensics • Discipline of digital evidence discovery, protection and presentation. • Technologies, techniques, and responsibilities of a criminal or civil investigation involving computers, networks, network service providers and electronic evidence.
Types of Forensic Exams • Legal or Liturgical • Will go to trial • Civil • Similar to liturgical probably for negotiation or extortion • Business • Termination or reprimand an employee • Disaster Recovery • What happened, how to prevent • Illegal/Surveillance
Read Your Employee’s Handbook • What can your employer do to you? • What can they see? • What can you do? • What can’t you do?
Areas of Forensics • Physical • Digital • Chemical • Accounting • Etc.
Physical • Ballistics • Fingerprints • Artifacts • etc.
Digital ForensicsComputer Forensics • Evidence contained in computers • Evidence contained in digital devices • Phones • Cameras • Memory sticks • Smart cards • Evidence contained in networks
Chemical • Blood • DNA • Explosives • Drugs • Fiber analysis • Etc.
Accounting • Fraud • Multiple sets of books • Stock manipulation • Insider trading
Digital DevicesBe careful, be very careful • Computers, Laptops • Palm pilots • Cell phones • iPods • Cameras • Camcorders • etc.
Digital Evidence • Records and Logs • Results of activities • Statement of intent • Contraband • Indication of time line
Skills and Knowledge • Be aware of the many types of digital devices and their components and potential contents • Develop a Web behavior profile • Learn how to seize a computer and other devices • Proper handling of digital evidence • How to search a computer for evidence • Analyze a phishing scam • Become more knowledgeable about the digital/information world
Must Prove: Actus Reaus - The criminal act Mens Rea - The criminal intent Conviction