Analysis and Examination (Window, Linux)
In computer forensics, the analysis and examination phase is crucial for extracting and
interpreting data from digital evidence. This process varies slightly depending on whether the
system in question is Windows or Linux, as each operating system has different structures,
artifacts, and forensic challenges.
Windows Forensic Analysis
Windows is the most widely used OS, and forensic analysis often focuses on registry files, event
logs, and user activity artifacts.
Key Forensic Artifacts in Windows
1. Windows Registry
○ Stores configuration settings and user activity data.
○ Key files: NTUSER.DAT, SAM, SYSTEM, SOFTWARE, SECURITY
○ Tools: RegRipper, Volatility, FTK Imager
2. Event Logs
○ Stores system and security logs in .evtx format.
○ Location: C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\
○ Tools: Event Viewer, LogParser, ELK Stack
3. Prefetch Files
○ Track program executions (.pf files) for performance optimization.
○ Location: C:\Windows\Prefetch\
○ Tools: PECmd, WinPrefetchView
4. User Activity Artifacts
○ Recent files (RecentItems), Jump Lists (AutomaticDestinations-ms), LNK files
○ Browser history, cache, cookies (Chrome, Edge, Firefox)
○ Tools: Autopsy, X-Ways Forensics
5. Memory Analysis
○ Extracts running processes, network connections, and malware from RAM
dumps.
○ Tools: Volatility, DumpIt, Belkasoft RAM Capture
6. Disk and File System Analysis
○ Examines NTFS, FAT32, and exFAT for deleted files and metadata.
○ Tools: Autopsy, X-Ways, FTK Imager
Linux Forensic Analysis
Linux-based systems store logs and artifacts differently, requiring different tools and
methodologies.
Key Forensic Artifacts in Linux
1. Log Files
○ Primary logs: /var/log/syslog, /var/log/auth.log, /var/log/kern.log
○ Analyzing logs helps track user logins, SSH connections, and system changes.
○ Tools: Log2Timeline, grep, ELK Stack
2. User Accounts and Activity
○ /etc/passwd and /etc/shadow: User credentials and authentication
○ .bash_history: Command-line history
○ Tools: cat, less, strings, grep
3. Process and Memory Analysis
○ /proc/ directory contains live process information.
○ Tools: Volatility, LiME, pslist, lsof
4. File System and Deleted File Recovery
○ Common file systems: EXT4, XFS, Btrfs
○ Recover deleted files using extundelete, foremost, Photorec
○ Tools: Autopsy, The Sleuth Kit (TSK), dd
5. Network Forensics
○ Tracks connections, firewall logs, and traffic captures.
○ Tools: Wireshark, tcpdump, Bro/Zeek
6. Malware Analysis
○ Detects rootkits and malicious scripts.
○ Tools: chkrootkit, rkhunter, YARA
Cross-Platform Forensic Tools
● Autopsy/The Sleuth Kit (TSK) – Disk and file system analysis
● Volatility – Memory forensics
● Wireshark – Network traffic analysis
● FTK Imager – Disk imaging and analysis
● X-Ways Forensics – Advanced forensic suite for Windows
Analysis and Examination (Email, Web, Malware):
In computer forensics, analyzing email, web activity, and malware is critical for uncovering
evidence related to cybercrimes, data breaches, and digital fraud. Each category requires
specialized tools and techniques to extract, interpret, and analyze forensic artifacts.
1. Email Forensics Analysis
Email forensics involves examining email metadata, headers, attachments, and content to
identify phishing attacks, insider threats, and fraudulent activities.
Key Areas of Email Analysis
● Email Headers
○ Provides sender, recipient, timestamp, IP address, and authentication details.
○ Key fields: From, To, Received, Message-ID, X-Originating-IP.
○ Tools: Email Header Analyzer (MxToolbox), Wireshark, Forensic Email
Collector.
● Email Clients & Storage Formats
○ Outlook (.pst, .ost), Thunderbird (.mbox), Webmail (Gmail, Yahoo, Office365).
○ Tools: FTK Imager, MailXaminer, X1 Social Discovery.
● Attachments & Links
○ Extract and analyze potentially malicious files or phishing links.
○ Tools: VirusTotal, EXIFTool, OLEVBA (for macro analysis).
● Spoofing & Phishing Detection
○ Check SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records to verify sender authenticity.
○ Tools: DMARC Analyzer, PhishTool.
2. Web Forensics Analysis
Web forensics focuses on analyzing browser activity, network traffic, and website interactions.
Key Areas of Web Analysis
● Browser Artifacts
○ Tracks visited URLs, downloads, cookies, cache, and autofill data.
○ Locations:
■ Chrome:
C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User
Data\Default\
■ Firefox: /home/user/.mozilla/firefox/
○ Tools: BrowsingHistoryView, Hindsight, NirSoft tools.
● Network Traffic & Logs
○ Examines web traffic, HTTP requests, and DNS lookups.
○ Tools: Wireshark, tcpdump, Fiddler, ELK Stack.
● Social Media & Dark Web Analysis
○ Monitors online interactions and potential cyber threats.
○ Tools: Maltego, Hunchly, OSINT Framework.
● Web Server & Cloud Logs
○ Investigates hacking attempts, unauthorized access, and data exfiltration.
○ Logs: Apache (access.log), Nginx (error.log), Cloud logs (AWS, Azure).
○ Tools: Splunk, Graylog, Log2Timeline.
3. Malware Forensics Analysis
Malware forensics involves examining malicious files, scripts, and software that compromise
system security.
Key Areas of Malware Analysis
● Static Analysis
○ Examines malware without executing it.
○ Techniques: String extraction, PE header analysis, hash analysis.
○ Tools: PEStudio, EXIFTool, YARA, VirusTotal.
● Dynamic Analysis
○ Runs malware in a controlled environment to observe its behavior.
○ Tools: Cuckoo Sandbox, Remnux, Process Monitor.
● Memory Forensics
○ Extracts malicious processes, injected code, and persistence mechanisms.
○ Tools: Volatility, Rekall, Belkasoft RAM Capture.
● Rootkit Detection
○ Identifies hidden processes, file system modifications, and unauthorized kernel
changes.
○ Tools: chkrootkit, rkhunter, GMER.
● Ransomware & Keylogger Analysis
○ Detects encryption routines and keystroke capture mechanisms.
○ Tools: CyberChef, IDA Pro, Ghidra.
Cross-Discipline Tools & Frameworks
● Autopsy/The Sleuth Kit (TSK) – General digital forensics
● Volatility – Memory forensics
● Wireshark – Network analysis
● FTK Imager – Disk and file imaging
● Splunk/ELK Stack – Log analysis
● Hybrid Analysis & Any.Run – Malware sandboxing
Tools used in Computer Forensics:
Computer forensics tools are essential for data acquisition, analysis, and reporting in digital
investigations. These tools are used for disk imaging, memory forensics, malware analysis,
email/web forensics, and more.
1. Disk Imaging & Data Acquisition Tools
These tools create forensic copies of storage devices to preserve evidence integrity.
● FTK Imager – Creates disk images, extracts files, and previews data.
● dd (Linux command) – Command-line tool for raw disk imaging.
● Guymager – Linux-based GUI disk imaging tool.
● AccessData FTK (Forensic Toolkit) – Enterprise-level forensic analysis suite.
● X-Ways Forensics – Lightweight, powerful disk imaging and analysis tool.
● Autopsy/The Sleuth Kit (TSK) – Open-source forensic suite for file system analysis.
2. Memory Forensics Tools
Used to analyze RAM dumps for malware, running processes, and volatile data.
● Volatility – Industry-standard memory analysis framework.
● Rekall – Open-source memory forensics tool.
● Belkasoft RAM Capture – Simple tool for capturing volatile memory.
● DumpIt – Lightweight RAM imaging tool.
3. File System & Deleted File Recovery Tools
These tools recover deleted files and analyze file system metadata.
● The Sleuth Kit (TSK) – Command-line forensic analysis of NTFS, FAT, EXT file
systems.
● TestDisk & PhotoRec – Open-source file recovery tools.
● Scalpel – File carving tool for recovering deleted data.
● R-Studio – Professional data recovery suite.
4. Email & Web Forensics Tools
Used to investigate email metadata, browser history, and online activities.
● MailXaminer – Email analysis tool for PST, OST, MBOX, and webmail.
● Forensic Email Collector – Extracts and analyzes emails from Office 365, Gmail, etc.
● Hindsight – Google Chrome forensic analysis.
● BrowsingHistoryView (NirSoft) – Extracts browser history from multiple browsers.
● Web Historian – Analyzes browser artifacts, cookies, and cache.
5. Network Forensics Tools
These tools analyze network traffic and logs to detect malicious activities.
● Wireshark – Industry-standard packet analysis tool.
● tcpdump – Command-line tool for capturing network traffic.
● NetworkMiner – Extracts files, credentials, and metadata from PCAP files.
● Snort – Intrusion detection and prevention system (IDS/IPS).
● Zeek (Bro) – Network monitoring and anomaly detection.
6. Malware Analysis Tools
These tools help analyze and reverse-engineer malicious files.
● Cuckoo Sandbox – Automated malware analysis sandbox.
● REMnux – Linux distro with malware analysis tools.
● PEStudio – Static analysis tool for Windows executables.
● YARA – Rule-based malware detection.
● IDA Pro – Advanced disassembler and reverse-engineering tool.
● Ghidra – Open-source reverse engineering framework by NSA.
7. Mobile Forensics Tools
Used for extracting data from smartphones and tablets.
● Cellebrite UFED – Industry-standard mobile forensic suite.
● Oxygen Forensic Detective – Extracts data from iOS and Android devices.
● MOBILedit Forensic Express – Phone data extraction and analysis.
● XRY (MSAB) – Advanced mobile forensic tool.
8. Log Analysis & SIEM Tools
Used to monitor and analyze logs for security incidents.
● Splunk – Log analysis and security monitoring.
● ELK Stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana) – Open-source log analysis suite.
● Graylog – Log collection and analysis tool.
● Log2Timeline (Plaso) – Timeline-based forensic log analysis.
9. Cloud Forensics Tools
Used for analyzing cloud storage, SaaS applications, and virtual environments.
● AWS CloudTrail – Logs AWS user activity.
● Google Takeout – Extracts data from Google accounts.
● Magnet AXIOM Cloud – Forensic analysis of cloud-based data.
● X1 Social Discovery – Captures social media evidence.
10. Password Recovery & Cracking Tools
These tools help retrieve lost or encrypted passwords.
● Hashcat – GPU-accelerated password cracking tool.
● John the Ripper – Open-source password cracking tool.
● Cain & Abel – Windows password recovery tool.
● Ophcrack – Cracks Windows passwords using rainbow tables.
Popular All-in-One Forensic Suites
If you're looking for comprehensive forensic solutions, these tools combine multiple forensic
capabilities:
● Autopsy – Free, open-source forensic suite.
● X-Ways Forensics – Advanced forensic suite for Windows analysis.
● AccessData FTK – Enterprise forensic toolkit for evidence analysis.
● EnCase Forensic – Industry-standard forensic suite for digital investigations.
● Magnet AXIOM – All-in-one forensic analysis suite for disk, mobile, and cloud
forensics.
Choosing the Right Tool
The best forensic tool depends on your investigation type:
● Disk Imaging & File Recovery → FTK Imager, TSK, Autopsy
● Memory Forensics → Volatility, Rekall
● Network Forensics → Wireshark, Snort, Zeek
● Malware Analysis → Cuckoo, YARA, IDA Pro
● Mobile Forensics → Cellebrite UFED, Oxygen Forensic
