Windows Forensics Analyst Field Guide

Windows Forensics Analyst Field Guide
Author: Muhiballah Mohammed
Publisher: Packt Publishing Ltd
Total Pages: 318
Release: 2023-10-27
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 180324545X

Build your expertise in Windows incident analysis by mastering artifacts and techniques for efficient cybercrime investigation with this comprehensive guide Key Features Gain hands-on experience with reputable and reliable tools such as KAPE and FTK Imager Explore artifacts and techniques for successful cybercrime investigation in Microsoft Teams, email, and memory forensics Understand advanced browser forensics by investigating Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and IE intricacies Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBook Book DescriptionIn this digitally driven era, safeguarding against relentless cyber threats is non-negotiable. This guide will enable you to enhance your skills as a digital forensic examiner by introducing you to cyber challenges that besiege modern entities. It will help you to understand the indispensable role adept digital forensic experts play in preventing these threats and equip you with proactive tools to defend against ever-evolving cyber onslaughts. The book begins by unveiling the intricacies of Windows operating systems and their foundational forensic artifacts, helping you master the art of streamlined investigative processes. From harnessing opensource tools for artifact collection to delving into advanced analysis, you’ll develop the skills needed to excel as a seasoned forensic examiner. As you advance, you’ll be able to effortlessly amass and dissect evidence to pinpoint the crux of issues. You’ll also delve into memory forensics tailored for Windows OS, decipher patterns within user data, and log and untangle intricate artifacts such as emails and browser data. By the end of this book, you’ll be able to robustly counter computer intrusions and breaches, untangle digital complexities with unwavering assurance, and stride confidently in the realm of digital forensics.What you will learn Master the step-by-step investigation of efficient evidence analysis Explore Windows artifacts and leverage them to gain crucial insights Acquire evidence using specialized tools such as FTK Imager to maximize retrieval Gain a clear understanding of Windows memory forensics to extract key insights Experience the benefits of registry keys and registry tools in user profiling by analyzing Windows registry hives Decode artifacts such as emails, applications execution, and Windows browsers for pivotal insights Who this book is forThis book is for forensic investigators with basic experience in the field, cybersecurity professionals, SOC analysts, DFIR analysts, and anyone interested in gaining deeper knowledge of Windows forensics. It's also a valuable resource for students and beginners in the field of IT who’re thinking of pursuing a career in digital forensics and incident response.

Windows Forensics

Windows Forensics
Author: Chad Steel
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 34
Release: 2007-08-20
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 0470255145

The evidence is in--to solve Windows crime, you need Windows tools An arcane pursuit a decade ago, forensic science today is a household term. And while the computer forensic analyst may not lead as exciting a life as TV's CSIs do, he or she relies just as heavily on scientific principles and just as surely solves crime. Whether you are contemplating a career in this growing field or are already an analyst in a Unix/Linux environment, this book prepares you to combat computer crime in the Windows world. Here are the tools to help you recover sabotaged files, track down the source of threatening e-mails, investigate industrial espionage, and expose computer criminals. * Identify evidence of fraud, electronic theft, and employee Internet abuse * Investigate crime related to instant messaging, Lotus Notes(r), and increasingly popular browsers such as Firefox(r) * Learn what it takes to become a computer forensics analyst * Take advantage of sample forms and layouts as well as case studies * Protect the integrity of evidence * Compile a forensic response toolkit * Assess and analyze damage from computer crime and process the crime scene * Develop a structure for effectively conducting investigations * Discover how to locate evidence in the Windows Registry

Malware Forensics Field Guide for Windows Systems

Malware Forensics Field Guide for Windows Systems
Author: Cameron H. Malin
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 561
Release: 2012-05-11
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 1597494739

Malware Forensics Field Guide for Windows Systems is a handy reference that shows students the essential tools needed to do computer forensics analysis at the crime scene. It is part of Syngress Digital Forensics Field Guides, a series of companions for any digital and computer forensic student, investigator or analyst. Each Guide is a toolkit, with checklists for specific tasks, case studies of difficult situations, and expert analyst tips that will aid in recovering data from digital media that will be used in criminal prosecution. This book collects data from all methods of electronic data storage and transfer devices, including computers, laptops, PDAs and the images, spreadsheets and other types of files stored on these devices. It is specific for Windows-based systems, the largest running OS in the world. The authors are world-renowned leaders in investigating and analyzing malicious code. Chapters cover malware incident response - volatile data collection and examination on a live Windows system; analysis of physical and process memory dumps for malware artifacts; post-mortem forensics - discovering and extracting malware and associated artifacts from Windows systems; legal considerations; file identification and profiling initial analysis of a suspect file on a Windows system; and analysis of a suspect program. This field guide is intended for computer forensic investigators, analysts, and specialists. - A condensed hand-held guide complete with on-the-job tasks and checklists - Specific for Windows-based systems, the largest running OS in the world - Authors are world-renowned leaders in investigating and analyzing malicious code

Windows Registry Forensics

Windows Registry Forensics
Author: Harlan Carvey
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 226
Release: 2011-01-03
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 1597495816

Windows Registry Forensics provides the background of the Windows Registry to help develop an understanding of the binary structure of Registry hive files. Approaches to live response and analysis are included, and tools and techniques for postmortem analysis are discussed at length. Tools and techniques are presented that take the student and analyst beyond the current use of viewers and into real analysis of data contained in the Registry, demonstrating the forensic value of the Registry. Named a 2011 Best Digital Forensics Book by InfoSec Reviews, this book is packed with real-world examples using freely available open source tools. It also includes case studies and a CD containing code and author-created tools discussed in the book. This book will appeal to computer forensic and incident response professionals, including federal government and commercial/private sector contractors, consultants, etc. - Named a 2011 Best Digital Forensics Book by InfoSec Reviews - Packed with real-world examples using freely available open source tools - Deep explanation and understanding of the Windows Registry – the most difficult part of Windows to analyze forensically - Includes a CD containing code and author-created tools discussed in the book

Investigating Windows Systems

Investigating Windows Systems
Author: Harlan Carvey
Publisher: Academic Press
Total Pages: 137
Release: 2018-08-14
Genre: Law
ISBN: 0128114169

Unlike other books, courses and training that expect an analyst to piece together individual instructions into a cohesive investigation, Investigating Windows Systems provides a walk-through of the analysis process, with descriptions of the thought process and analysis decisions along the way. Investigating Windows Systems will not address topics which have been covered in other books, but will expect the reader to have some ability to discover the detailed usage of tools and to perform their own research. The focus of this volume is to provide a walk-through of the analysis process, with descriptions of the thought process and the analysis decisions made along the way. A must-have guide for those in the field of digital forensic analysis and incident response. - Provides the reader with a detailed walk-through of the analysis process, with decision points along the way, assisting the user in understanding the resulting data - Coverage will include malware detection, user activity, and how to set up a testing environment - Written at a beginner to intermediate level for anyone engaging in the field of digital forensic analysis and incident response

Windows Forensics Cookbook

Windows Forensics Cookbook
Author: Oleg Skulkin
Publisher: Packt Publishing Ltd
Total Pages: 268
Release: 2017-08-04
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 1784391271

Maximize the power of Windows Forensics to perform highly effective forensic investigations About This Book Prepare and perform investigations using powerful tools for Windows, Collect and validate evidence from suspects and computers and uncover clues that are otherwise difficult Packed with powerful recipes to perform highly effective field investigations Who This Book Is For If you are a forensic analyst or incident response professional who wants to perform computer forensics investigations for the Windows platform and expand your took kit, then this book is for you. What You Will Learn Understand the challenges of acquiring evidence from Windows systems and overcome them Acquire and analyze Windows memory and drive data with modern forensic tools. Extract and analyze data from Windows file systems, shadow copies and the registry Understand the main Windows system artifacts and learn how to parse data from them using forensic tools See a forensic analysis of common web browsers, mailboxes, and instant messenger services Discover how Windows 10 differs from previous versions and how to overcome the specific challenges it presents Create a graphical timeline and visualize data, which can then be incorporated into the final report Troubleshoot issues that arise while performing Windows forensics In Detail Windows Forensics Cookbook provides recipes to overcome forensic challenges and helps you carry out effective investigations easily on a Windows platform. You will begin with a refresher on digital forensics and evidence acquisition, which will help you to understand the challenges faced while acquiring evidence from Windows systems. Next you will learn to acquire Windows memory data and analyze Windows systems with modern forensic tools. We also cover some more in-depth elements of forensic analysis, such as how to analyze data from Windows system artifacts, parse data from the most commonly-used web browsers and email services, and effectively report on digital forensic investigations. You will see how Windows 10 is different from previous versions and how you can overcome the specific challenges it brings. Finally, you will learn to troubleshoot issues that arise while performing digital forensic investigations. By the end of the book, you will be able to carry out forensics investigations efficiently. Style and approach This practical guide filled with hands-on, actionable recipes to detect, capture, and recover digital artifacts and deliver impeccable forensic outcomes.

Digital Forensics Basics

Digital Forensics Basics
Author: Nihad A. Hassan
Publisher: Apress
Total Pages: 347
Release: 2019-02-25
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 1484238389

Use this hands-on, introductory guide to understand and implement digital forensics to investigate computer crime using Windows, the most widely used operating system. This book provides you with the necessary skills to identify an intruder's footprints and to gather the necessary digital evidence in a forensically sound manner to prosecute in a court of law. Directed toward users with no experience in the digital forensics field, this book provides guidelines and best practices when conducting investigations as well as teaching you how to use a variety of tools to investigate computer crime. You will be prepared to handle problems such as law violations, industrial espionage, and use of company resources for private use. Digital Forensics Basics is written as a series of tutorials with each task demonstrating how to use a specific computer forensics tool or technique. Practical information is provided and users can read a task and then implement it directly on their devices. Some theoretical information is presented to define terms used in each technique and for users with varying IT skills. What You’ll Learn Assemble computer forensics lab requirements, including workstations, tools, and more Document the digital crime scene, including preparing a sample chain of custody form Differentiate between law enforcement agency and corporate investigationsGather intelligence using OSINT sources Acquire and analyze digital evidence Conduct in-depth forensic analysis of Windows operating systems covering Windows 10–specific feature forensicsUtilize anti-forensic techniques, including steganography, data destruction techniques, encryption, and anonymity techniques Who This Book Is For Police and other law enforcement personnel, judges (with no technical background), corporate and nonprofit management, IT specialists and computer security professionals, incident response team members, IT military and intelligence services officers, system administrators, e-business security professionals, and banking and insurance professionals

Malware Forensics

Malware Forensics
Author: Eoghan Casey
Publisher: Syngress
Total Pages: 713
Release: 2008-08-08
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 0080560199

Malware Forensics: Investigating and Analyzing Malicious Code covers the complete process of responding to a malicious code incident. Written by authors who have investigated and prosecuted federal malware cases, this book deals with the emerging and evolving field of live forensics, where investigators examine a computer system to collect and preserve critical live data that may be lost if the system is shut down. Unlike other forensic texts that discuss live forensics on a particular operating system, or in a generic context, this book emphasizes a live forensics and evidence collection methodology on both Windows and Linux operating systems in the context of identifying and capturing malicious code and evidence of its effect on the compromised system. It is the first book detailing how to perform live forensic techniques on malicious code. The book gives deep coverage on the tools and techniques of conducting runtime behavioral malware analysis (such as file, registry, network and port monitoring) and static code analysis (such as file identification and profiling, strings discovery, armoring/packing detection, disassembling, debugging), and more. It explores over 150 different tools for malware incident response and analysis, including forensic tools for preserving and analyzing computer memory. Readers from all educational and technical backgrounds will benefit from the clear and concise explanations of the applicable legal case law and statutes covered in every chapter. In addition to the technical topics discussed, this book also offers critical legal considerations addressing the legal ramifications and requirements governing the subject matter. This book is intended for system administrators, information security professionals, network personnel, forensic examiners, attorneys, and law enforcement working with the inner-workings of computer memory and malicious code. - Winner of Best Book Bejtlich read in 2008! - http://taosecurity.blogspot.com/2008/12/best-book-bejtlich-read-in-2008.html - Authors have investigated and prosecuted federal malware cases, which allows them to provide unparalleled insight to the reader - First book to detail how to perform "live forensic" techniques on malicous code - In addition to the technical topics discussed, this book also offers critical legal considerations addressing the legal ramifications and requirements governing the subject matter

Windows Forensic Analysis Toolkit

Windows Forensic Analysis Toolkit
Author: Harlan Carvey
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 344
Release: 2014-03-11
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 0124171745

Harlan Carvey has updated Windows Forensic Analysis Toolkit, now in its fourth edition, to cover Windows 8 systems. The primary focus of this edition is on analyzing Windows 8 systems and processes using free and open-source tools. The book covers live response, file analysis, malware detection, timeline, and much more. Harlan Carvey presents real-life experiences from the trenches, making the material realistic and showing the why behind the how. The companion and toolkit materials are hosted online. This material consists of electronic printable checklists, cheat sheets, free custom tools, and walk-through demos. This edition complements Windows Forensic Analysis Toolkit, Second Edition, which focuses primarily on XP, and Windows Forensic Analysis Toolkit, Third Edition, which focuses primarily on Windows 7. This new fourth edition provides expanded coverage of many topics beyond Windows 8 as well, including new cradle-to-grave case examples, USB device analysis, hacking and intrusion cases, and "how would I do this" from Harlan's personal case files and questions he has received from readers. The fourth edition also includes an all-new chapter on reporting. - Complete coverage and examples of Windows 8 systems - Contains lessons from the field, case studies, and war stories - Companion online toolkit material, including electronic printable checklists, cheat sheets, custom tools, and walk-throughs

Practical Windows Forensics

Practical Windows Forensics
Author: Ayman Shaaban
Publisher: Packt Publishing Ltd
Total Pages: 314
Release: 2016-06-29
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 178355410X

Leverage the power of digital forensics for Windows systems About This Book Build your own lab environment to analyze forensic data and practice techniques. This book offers meticulous coverage with an example-driven approach and helps you build the key skills of performing forensics on Windows-based systems using digital artifacts. It uses specific open source and Linux-based tools so you can become proficient at analyzing forensic data and upgrade your existing knowledge. Who This Book Is For This book targets forensic analysts and professionals who would like to develop skills in digital forensic analysis for the Windows platform. You will acquire proficiency, knowledge, and core skills to undertake forensic analysis of digital data. Prior experience of information security and forensic analysis would be helpful. You will gain knowledge and an understanding of performing forensic analysis with tools especially built for the Windows platform. What You Will Learn Perform live analysis on victim or suspect Windows systems locally or remotely Understand the different natures and acquisition techniques of volatile and non-volatile data. Create a timeline of all the system actions to restore the history of an incident. Recover and analyze data from FAT and NTFS file systems. Make use of various tools to perform registry analysis. Track a system user's browser and e-mail activities to prove or refute some hypotheses. Get to know how to dump and analyze computer memory. In Detail Over the last few years, the wave of the cybercrime has risen rapidly. We have witnessed many major attacks on the governmental, military, financial, and media sectors. Tracking all these attacks and crimes requires a deep understanding of operating system operations, how to extract evident data from digital evidence, and the best usage of the digital forensic tools and techniques. Regardless of your level of experience in the field of information security in general, this book will fully introduce you to digital forensics. It will provide you with the knowledge needed to assemble different types of evidence effectively, and walk you through the various stages of the analysis process. We start by discussing the principles of the digital forensics process and move on to show you the approaches that are used to conduct analysis. We will then study various tools to perform live analysis, and go through different techniques to analyze volatile and non-volatile data. Style and approach This is a step-by-step guide that delivers knowledge about different Windows artifacts. Each topic is explained sequentially, including artifact analysis using different tools and techniques. These techniques make use of the evidence extracted from infected machines, and are accompanied by real-life examples.