Boca Raton Computer Forensics: A Brief Overview

There are many famous criminal cases in American history where Computer Forensics played a significant role in the capture and conviction of notorious criminals. Computer Forensics played a vital role in the 9/11 investigation, Wall Street bombing in 1920, Anthrax investigation and even in the spectacular manhunt for the famous Bonnie and Clyde. Mankind has witness a tremendous evolution in technology throughout the years; the advent of the internet, computers and other electronic devices has altered the way businesses operate, allowing for increased efficiency and productivity. However, this advancement in technology also had a dark side, where people used it to maliciously attack individuals.

Crimes that are committedusing computers and other forms of technology cover a broad platform. This includes terrorism (for example 9/11), identity theft, fraud, hacking, phishing and a wide range of other criminal activities. Computer Forensics has made it possible for us to identify, extract and analyze digital evidence that is necessary to capture cyber criminals.

The view that computer crimes came into existence ever since the first production of computers, has always been a topic of great controversy. However, with cybercrime increasing as technology advances, it is obvious that one is fueled by the other. Digital evidence plays a major role in the capture and conviction of criminals today. If properly acquired, evidence derived from computer systems can be used in a civil court against a person suspected of committing a crime. However, unlike other evidence, digital evidence has to be accurate, authentic, complete and in adherence to specific legislative guidelines. Preview the video to get a brief idea of what computer forensic is. 

Cybercrimes

Computers have infiltrated every industry today and as a result Computer Forensics has become a top priority for many organizations. Prosecutors utilize digital evidence in numerous ways for a variety of criminal investigations in which incriminating data is available. In criminal investigations involvinghomicide, child pornography, fraud and drugs, many prosecutors seek the assistance of Computer Forensic specialists to acquire digital evidence that can be used in court. Time and again large organizations will hire a Computer Forensics expert to locate evidence when issues involving theft, embezzlement and leak of confidential information arise. Members of staff can also hire a forensics expert to challenge a specific corporation in court. In the past, many employees have utilized Computer Forensics to gather evidence on racial discrimination, prejudices and sexual harassment within the work place. In situations where evidence is found, it can be presented in a civil court against the organization.

Cyber criminals can penetrate a company’s IT infrastructure on several platforms. Although most businesses will implant some form of defensive system to protect them from malicious intrusions, cybercriminals have many different methods of gaining entrance to a system. Hacking is one of the most popular forms of computer crime in which criminals use specific tools to breach a company’s IT security system. This can lead to personal identification information, credit card information and confidential information being put in the hands of the wrong person. When cases like these develop, the services of a Computer Forensics specialist is needed to gather substantial evidence for the capture and conviction of the perpetrator.

Cyber criminals can utilize a computer system in two different ways to carry out malicious activities. A vast majority of computer crimes today are conducted by just one person or a small group of people. Cybercriminal groups often share tools and strategies and may even join forces to launch an attack against an organization. There are many illegal markets today where computer criminals can trade information that has been stolen for huge sums of money.  As a result many people are being influenced to join in on these malicious activities.

With the prevalence of technology today, it’s almost impossible to crack down on all cybercriminals. In addition, the internet has made it possible so that people to operate anonymously from different locations worldwide. Most cybercriminals prefer to hack computer systems that are located to minimize the chances of them being captured. Computer crimes may vary in every country; therefore it is often difficult to punish perpetrators. Nonetheless, Boca Raton Computer Forensics allows us to identify weaknesses in the IT infrastructure of businesses in the area so that we can prevent these incidents.

A Closer Look at Computer Forensics

Computer Forensics involves the detection, collection, analysis and preservation of data located in computer systems that can be presented as evidence in a civil court. Computer Forensics experts use a variety of tools to acquire and prepare digital evidence to ensure that it is admissible in court. Below you can find the basic steps in a Computer Forensics Investigation.

Detection: During the initial stage of a Computer Forensics investigation, the investigator has to follow specific techniques to detect where the evidence relevant to the investigation is located. Computers are not the only source of digital evidence; mobile devices, videogame consoles, portal USB and other electronic medium can hold digital evidence.

Collection: After the investigator has detected where the evidence is located he/she then has to follow a specific set of guidelines and use specialized tools to collect the evidence without altering its original content. One of the most popular methods used to collect digital evidence in cyber investigations today is to use imaging software to capture multiple images of different areas of the drive.

Analysis: Following the collection of the evidence the investigator will decide what method of analysis is suitable depending on the nature of the investigation and where the evidence was located. One main objective of the analysis is to establish a timeline of events that occurred prior to the incident. The analysis should be accurate, detailed and impartial and all findings have to be recorded.

Preservation: This refers to one of the most significant stages in a Computer Forensics investigation. Simple actions such as carelessly opening a file can alter the original content and disintegrate the integrity of the evidence discovered making it inadmissible in court. The investigator has to handle all evidence with the utmost care to ensure preservation. A detailed report of the findings has to be presented in which includes all information that is relevant to the investigation.

To properly carry out a Boca Raton Computer Forensics investigation, investigators have to be patient, dedicated and meticulous. To preserve evidence investigators have to be very careful to ensure that all guidelines are followed without disturbances. Sadly there are still many factors today affecting the performance of Computer Forensics experts.

Factors Affecting Computer Forensics

The factors affecting the performance of Computer Forensics investigators today can be categorized as follows:

Technical Factors

Technological Advancement: As technology evolves, new software, hardware and operating systems are being introduced. Therefore, Computer Forensics investigators are always encountering new technology that they may not be familiar with. In these situations, the investigator will have to conduct various test and examinations that can be time consuming to avoid errors in the investigation.

Enormous Volumes of Data: Storage devices available today can store enormous volumes of data which means that investigators have to invest adequate time and power in order to efficiently collect, analyze and preserve evidence relevant to the investigation.

Encryption: Many investigators experience difficulties handling encrypted files especially if they do not have an accurate password. In most cases the password is stored elsewhere in a secured section on the computer. It is almost impossible to access files that are properly encrypted without a password. After the computer system has shut down it may be impossible for the investigator to collect the evidence, therefore, in most cases a live acquisition has to be carried out. This involves running a small program on the computer to duplicate the evidence. In doing so, the investigator will make changes to the original state of the computer and will have to present a detail record of the process in court so that the the evidence canbe admissible.

Anti-Forensics Practices: This involves encryption, over-writing of information and various other practices that are geared towards thwarting Computer Forensics analysis by making data unrecoverable.

Legal Factors: In some cases lawyers will try to dispute evidence brought forth my Computer Forensics Specialists in court. One of the most common arguments is that a Trojan is responsible for the actions carried out on the computer which led to the crime. When this happens the investigator has to provide evidence to prove that there was no trace of Trojan activities on the system. 

Tallahassee Computer Forensics: The Next Hot Topic

Introduction

Like most places in America today, Computer Forensics has also become a hot topic in Tallahassee, Florida. With computer crimes steadily rising in the area, law enforcement officials are focused on improving Computer Forensic techniques to combat the malicious activities of perpetrators. Computer Forensics is not only about recovering information from a computer system or mobile device. It cannot be achieved by simply using software and most essentially, it is not a procedure that can be carried out by the average tech savvy person. Computer Forensics is a science with specific principles and techniques related to the art of identifying, analysing and presenting digital evidence andit was first introduced in the late 1980s by the U.S. federal law enforcement agency. 

Defining Computer Forensics: 

• Collecting and examining digital data, accurately, authentically and completely for investigation purposes to be presented in a civil court of law as evidence. 

• Digital evidence refers to any and all information stored on a computer system that suggests that the user was involved in criminal activities and can be utilized to establish a link with the victim of the crime committed. 

Historical Overview of Computer Forensics 

Computer Forensics involves the utilization of specific computer analysis and investigation methods in order to acquire possible legal evidence. Digital evidence plays a vital role in investigations for crimes such as identity theft, child pornography, hacking, and the damage of intellectual property among others. Computer Forensicscan utilize a variety of techniques to trace and recover information that is damaged, encrypted or deleted from a computer system. This evidence can be used for the capture and conviction of a person committing computer crimes. 

The Computer Forensic industry has experienced many changes since its introduction. Technology that was once nonexistent is now playing a major role in computer crime investigations today. What will investigators use to solve computer crimes tomorrow? There is no definite answer to this question. The one thing we can be certain of is that there will always be “change”. As technology becomes more advanced, so do Computer Forensics tools and techniques as well. 

The definition of Computer Forensics has been altered many times in the past. During the 1980s law enforcement officials defined it as the examination of standalone computer systems to obtain digital evidence for legal purposes. Today, this definition only covers the analysis stage involved in Computer Forensics. Computer systems today are more networked than before; therefore Computer Forensics has evolved in order to address these changes.  Many have suggested that Forensic Computing is a more suitable term considering the fact that digital evidence can also be captured from cameras and other electronic devices. However, regardless of the name, one thing for sure is that its significance will never change. 

Traditional methods of investigation focused solely on shielding computer systems from malicious attacks before they invade the system. There are many newly developed systems today with the ability to detect and combat these malicious attacks; however, little effort is put into developing systems to deal with the after effect of an unexpected attack. This is mainly because many business owners prefer to accept the losses rather than jeopardize their reputations by revealing their vulnerability to these attacks and lack of security. While, many organizations today are now realizing that it is better to confront these criminals and bring them to justice, there are many other factors affecting Computer Forensics in today’s modern society. 

Challenges Facing Tallahassee Computer Forensics 

• Conducting forensic investigations and e-discovery analysis on large volumes of data can be overly time consuming and difficult. While large organizations are usually willing to stand the cost, small companies may find it difficult to allocate the resources necessary to source these services. 
• Computer Forensic experts are often times called at the scene of the crime long after the incident has occurred. This usually results in the damage or loss of information that is vital to the investigation. This can impact the overall cost, duration, accuracy and result of the investigation. The nature of digital evidence makes it significantly fragile. Information can be easily erased or altered and may be difficult to trace or detect. For these reasons it is always best to contact a forensics expert once you become aware of the crime. 
• Computer Forensics is very complex and requires a wide array of skills and sufficient experience. Because it is not a licensed profession, many untrained individuals today are claiming to be expert in the field. As a result, many companies end up investing in investigators that are unable to provide them with information that is useful in a court of law. An untrained investigator may also experience difficulties communicating the findings of the investigation. In some cases, this can result in a sanction being served in a civil court. 
• Digital evidence is usually measured in terabytes and gigabytes in large investigations.  In these instances, the search has to be narrowed to conserve on time reduce the overall expense. A highly skilled and experienced investigator is usually more suitable for an investigation of this magnitude to avoid losses and damage to vital information.  
• Many organizations today utilize their internal IT staff to carry out Computer Forensics investigation. The internal IT staff may not possess the required expertise necessary to carry out proper Computer Forensic investigations. This is to ensure that there is proper handling of the collected evidence and accuracy in the investigation. 

Despite these challenges, Tallahassee Computer Forensics offers a myriad of opportunities that give organizations the ability to overcome computer crimes. In any legal situation where digital evidence is involved, a Computer Forensic investigation is essential. Digital evidence has to be carefully collected and preservedby following strategic techniques to avoid damage and ensure that it is admissible in court. 

Organizations are urged to seek the services of professional Computer Forensic specialists to ensure that adequate evidence is collected. An expert Computer Forensic specialist will know:

• Where to acquire relevant evidence necessary for the investigation.
• How to retrieve the evidence without altering the original content
• How to preserve digital evidence to ensure that it is admissible in court. 

Although the process of Computer Forensics may be time consuming and costly, depending on the magnitude of the investigation, the overall effect of not carrying out an efficient investigation can be disastrous to the future or the organization in many ways:

• By conducting a proper Computer Forensics investigation an organization is able to identify all vulnerabilities in their IT system that led them to become victims of computer crimes. If the criminal is not brought to justice he/she may continue to carry out malicious attacks against the organization.
• Breach of customers’ confidential information in the form of files, emails and other private datacan result in civil lawsuits and additional expenses that can drain the organization’s resources. Banks and other organizations that depend on client confidentiality to maintain balance can benefit significantly from using Computer Forensics to safeguard intellectual properties. 

With 93% of businesses today storing important information electronically, the need for a solid system that enables them to detect and prevent the malicious actions of cyber criminals is more important now more than ever. The role of Computer Forensic specialists in today’s society is to help business combat the actions of cyber criminals. 

The core principles of Computer Forensics are very straightforward: to identify, extract, analyze, preserve and present data needed for a criminal investigation to protect an organization’s interests. It is evident that technology and the internet will play a vital role in the business industry for many more years to come. Law firms, banks, and retailers depend on these technologies to communicate, enhance productivity and minimize their overall expense. The Computer Forensics industry will continue to strive to maintain pace with technology advancements that can contribute to an increase in cybercrimes. Cyber predators are constantly on the hunt for opportunities to manipulate innocent people at any moment. Do not let computer crimes ruin you or your business. Look to Computer Forensics for help! Some crimes that can be solved using Computer Forensics are: 

• Hacking
• viruses
• Identity Theft
• Espionage
• Intellectual Property Damage
• Child Pornography
• Unauthorized Access 
• Fraud 

The Evolution of Tallahassee Computer Forensics

Today computer forensics has evolved and continues to evolve as technology expands.  Computer forensics is recognized today as a science and is used most often for criminal and civil cases to present relevant evidence in a court of law.  Business today rely more than ever upon digital data, as 98% of all data today is stored electronically over the old days of using paper documents, file folders, and file cabinets to store businesses information. 

The digital age will continue to evolve, as demand for computer forensic experts is continuously in high demand. This is especially due to the fact that the work required by computer forensic experts continues to become more complex and specialized, especially due to many types of electronic devices being used today for creating, storing and sharing electronic information.  Just imagine how different the electronic age is today over one decade ago.  Today businesses are using mobile devices and small tablets for creating and accessing digital data. 

This article will discuss the evolution of computer forensics and how it is has changed since it started, as well as how it continues to evolve.  Additionally, this article will discuss not only about responsive computer forensics, which is whenever a computer forensic specialist team is called out to perform investigative work, but also discuss how businesses can use computer forensic experts proactively, meaning they are used to help to protect their electronically stored information, which can help decrease the likelihood of them needing a forensic team to conduct an investigation, as well as help make potential future investigations more simplistic.

Exactly what is Computer Forensics?

Computer forensics is simply one of the many sciences used today in the field of forensics.  Forensics in its most general term relates to the techniques that are used with the connection of detecting any type of criminal activity or evidence to help support a civil lawsuit.  Within the criminal law departments, they often refer to finding evidence that is extremely relevant as be the  “the smoking gun.”  This can also be true with finding digital evidence by utilizing computer forensic techniques.  It is often related towards finding a “digital fingerprint”  whenever Tallahassee Computer Forensics are able to find intangible evidence that can be undisputed in a court of law.

Today there are many types of forensic sciences, including forensic chemistry, DNA analysis, entomology, to name a few.  Therefore, computer forensics is simply a small subdivision of the many types of computer forensics that exist today.  Even within computer forensics, there are many other smaller subdivisions, including data recovery, hacking detection and prevention, as well as digital accounting forensics to name a few.

As previous mentioned, just like any type of forensic sciences, computer forensic is also considered a science within the United States in which defined techniques and procedures are used in order to help preserve, collect and analyze evidence.  However, the science of computer forensics is consistently evolving, as technology has been and will continue to change.  Because of this, new computer forensic science techniques will continue to be created, which will be discussed later.

The Beginning of Computer Forensics

It is very hard to trace back exactly when computer forensics first started, but it is estimated that the beginning of computer forensics can be traced back to the 1970s, when computers used for businesses started to begin to evolve.  During these times, most of the cases involved financial fraud.

As the computer began to evolve, so did the laws regarding computer forensics and digital data.  During the 1980s, it began to become apparent that some cases, primarily financial crimes were often all recorded on computers. It was also during the 1980s that the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), a professional organization that was developed in 1988, began researching and developing training materials on what is known today as computer forensics.  The activities they researched and trained upon included digital fraud information, as well as the various tools that were available for conducting computer forensics.  The ACFE began to govern the various techniques that computer forensics still use today.  Also in 1988, the International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists (IACIS) was created, which also helped create what computer forensics is today.

Also during the 1980s, many new Acts were set in place, including the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986, as well as the Computer Security Act of 1987, which deals with the security and the government of computer systems.

As time has passed, computer forensics has continuously evolved into the known forensic science that it is recognized today. This is especially true with the World Wide Web creating a wide variety of security issues in which computer crimes are most often committed today. 

What Exists Today For Computer Forensics

Computer forensics today has now become a highly demanded and recognized forensics science. It has been and will continue to evolve as technology vastly changes. Today there are many subdivisions that fall under computer forensics which will be discussed next.

E-discovery  - E discovery is the process in which an E discovery request is made that requires the one receiving the e-discovery request to identify and retrieve all relevant electronically stored information (ESI) to the opposing party. Many of the laws regulating the E discovery process were enacted in December of 2006 under Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP) amendments made. During the e-discovery process, the data is identified and placed on legal hold, in which it is then extracted from the computer systems and storage devices in order to be analyzed by using the known Digital forensic techniques used today.

Data Recovery - data recovery involves attempting to gain access to relevant files that have been previously deleted. It has been known that even though somebody actually deletes a file on the computer today, that the actual file itself is never deleted from the hard drive, but is only removed from being accessed from the operating system. Because of this, various software tools and techniques can be used in order to retrieve deleted files.

Computer forensics experts are often called upon in order to help retrieve deleted files and analyze them for relevant content that relates towards the investigation as evidence. Many challenges still exist today as new technologies for storing and retrieving files is continuously changing. This is especially true because the storage devices are changing with new mobile technologies, including mobile phones and tab let devices.

E-mail Forensics - Email forensics requires specialist that are capable of analyzing and retrieving emails that are relevant towards either a civil or criminal investigations.  There are many areas that email forensics need to understand including the way emails are stored and transferred, as well as the ways that they can be traced over the Internet.

Hacking and Viruses - One of the biggest problems occurring today is the widespread of viruses and hackers attempting to gain access into individuals’ computers.  This issue becomes a further issue due to the internet, as individuals can attempt to hack and spread viruses, even from outside of the United States.  Those involved with investigating hack attempts and the spreading of viruses are required to be specialized in understanding how data is transmitted over the internet today, including how to trace the hacks or viruses back to the originator.

What Continues to Change with Computer Forensics?

As previously mentioned, computer forensics continues to evolve and will continue to evolve as well.  There are many businesses out today that are continuously making new discoveries into how new mobile devices and technologies can be properly investigated for potential evidence. 

Further challenges always exist as hackers and viruses find new ways of entering home computers and servers throughout the world.  Because of the internet today, those attempting to hack computer systems continuously attempt new methods and communicate with others in how to do so on discussion boards established online. 

Because of the spread of threats that are always continuing to arise, Computer forensics is highly in demand.  It is estimated that the growth rate for the need of computer forensics is increasing by 25% every year.  Also as new technologies continue to arise on the market today, the continuous need of computer forensic experts relating towards those technologies will consciously be in demand. 

What to expect if you are Ever in Need of a Computer Forensics team

If you or your business is every in need for a forensics expert, whether for a criminal or civil lawsuit purposes, there are many available in the market today.  Large cities within the United States, including Tallahassee will have a number of Computer forensic Businesses that can probably assist you. 

Whenever seeking a computer forensic team, it is important that you communicate exactly what your needs are, and what technologies you will need for them to assist you with investigating.  Because of the wide amount of technologies on the market today, they may not be able to assist you because they do not specialize within that field of forensics.  In those circumstances, you can always do a search online through a search engine such as Google in order to help find forensics experts within that field.