Effective DiscoveryTechniques In Computer Crime Cases

Introduction

Storm’s Edge Technologies

IT Consulting Company servicing the Dallas/Fort worth area. Services

PC Support and Custom Built PCs Server Support and Custom Built Server Network Support Firewall Support Web Site Development/Hosting Custom Application Development Computer Forensics Disaster/Data Recovery Services

Contact Information

Daniel A. FitzGerald

P.O. Box 8995

Fort Worth, TX 76124

Email: Dan@StormsEdge.com

Phone: 817.496.4956

Fax: 817.496.3435

Web: www.stormsedge.com

Forensic Process

Overview

Stage of the Forensic Process

Stage of the Forensic Process

Stage of the Forensic Process

Stage of the Forensic Process

Stage of the Forensic Process

Forensic Timeline

Computers or Spies?

What can we determine from a PC Users Passwords Web-Sites viewed Documents opened Pictures viewed Age of PC Last Reboot Time What files have been accessed,

deleted, modified, etc…

Computers or Spies?

What can we determine from a PC Who created the document When documents were printed What software created the document What devices where used Who has used the PC What software has recently be used When the OS was installed The possibilities too numerous to list!

Integrating the PC

Registry Files contain an abundant amount of information to include Usernames/Passwords for email,

websites, and programs Internet Sites visited along with

date/times Search Terms used on Google and

other search engines. Recent file activity/access List of software installed

Integrating the PC

Registry Files contain an abundant amount of information to include Screen Saver required Password User Logon Required or Not Date Windows was Installed Date each user last logged on. Etc…

Integrating the PC

PC Event Logs can provide some insight into the use of a PC Change in System Time Boot/Startup Times Problems with drivers & devices

Because the event logs generally cover a time period of several months they can provide a good history of activity.

Other Files

INI files are used by programs to store information/configuration. Plain Text Safe for Export

LNK (Short Cut) files will often provide insight to the users programs

Start Menu will give you a list of the common program they run/access.

Alibi with a PC

Establish who was using the PC UserID/Password Screen Saver w/Password User Specific knowledge like logging

into MySpace web-site.

Establish PC has the correct time Check BIOS date vs. windows date Check Event Log for time sync events

Alibi with a PC

Determine Activity and Time File Dates (Creation, Access, Modified) Web-Site Activity Email Activity Printer Activity

Classified/Sensitive Data

How to perform a Forensic Analysis when you can not possess the data. Identify who has secured the evidence Determine local policies in providing access Process the Forensic Image files Review any Sensitive Data on-site Generate Report

Extract non-sensitive files for processing in your own forensic lab.

Request a review and copy of the report to ensure no classified/sensitive data is exported.

Extracting Non-Sensitive Files

Files to Extract for later processing Registry Files Event Logs INI Files LNK Files Access Database of all files

FTK will create this as part of its normal processing of the Forensic Image Files.

EnCase will need to export a CSV file.

What is …

Slack Space – The area between the end of the file and the end of the cluster.

Free Space – The area available to store data including areas where files were stored but have been deleted.

Unallocated Space – The area of a device that is not covered by a partition. This would include any deleted partitions.

Swap File – File used to cache memory to the hard drive

Hibernation File – File used to store memory to the hard drive when hibernating

How Do I?

Prove a USB Key was used on a PC Prove an Image was viewed Recover Deleted Files Determine if a user has opened a file Prove a file was copied/moved Find out when a file was deleted Demonstrate a PC was used remotely Show who created a file Etc…..

Open Questions

Storm’s Edge Technologies

Daniel A. FitzGerald

P.O. Box 8995

Fort Worth, TX 76124

Email: Dan@StormsEdge.com

Phone: 817.496.4956

Fax: 817.496.3435

Web: www.stormsedge.com