Cyber-forensics

As cyber threats and online criminal activities continue to become more sophisticated, it is essential to understand the complexities of the digital world and how the latest advancements in crypto forensics can help combat cyberterrorism. 

The development of new technology has changed the ways information is disseminated and accessed. It has allowed individuals to access a variety of information within minutes. Although, with this growing use and dependence on technology the tactics used in cybercrime have evolved to effectively infiltrate these ever-changing systems. Maintaining the knowledge and tools needed to counteract these cybercrime attempts has become paramount. Any user that is dependent on technological gadgets and software can be at risk of cybercrime. In this post, we will discuss what exactly is cybercrime and how to stay safe. 

Cybercrime has been increasing significantly over the years [1] Crime investigation software is vital for law enforcement agencies to gain actionable and substantial criminal intelligence from cyber crimes committed. Investigating cyber crimes is complex and requires tools to conduct mobile and computer forensics such as Mac forensics, to collect evidence from iOS, Android, Linux, Windows, and Mac devices. Analyzing the data collected is an important part of conducting an investigation. Forensic software tools help agents, officers, and investigators link different artifacts together to generate a full report on the investigation.

Modern times have increased the number of devices, programs, users, and data, making agencies and businesses vulnerable. Cyber-attacks have taken on more sophisticated forms over time. Cyber security allows agencies to protect their internet-connected systems such as software, hardware, and data [1]. Cyber security includes technologies, processes, and methods to defend these computer systems. It is imperative to incorporate strong strategies in cyber security in the world of digital forensics to prevent malicious attacks intended to access sensitive data. In this post, we will provide the top 4 ways to amplify cyber security using Cyber Crime Investigation Software. 

Cyber Crime Investigation is a broad term in the investigation community. Cyber crimes can be as simple as password stealing, phishing schemes, or as complex or cruel as child exploitation, human trafficking, and ransomware attacks. The tactics investigators use to catch the suspects involved can vary based on the type of cybercrime committed. Before investigating, there are still a few key steps an investigator must take to ensure they gather and analyze all the evidence correctly.

Many are not aware of the common threats/investigations that officers, analysts, and investigators face on-scene or in the lab and how computer forensics software can help solve these investigations.

Conferences are an excellent opportunity for like-minded individuals in a shared career to network, expand your knowledge, find solutions to problems, or to present your ideas and knowledge. Furthermore, they're a great opportunity for others to get to know you and your work. You also have the chance to learn outside of your field and area of work. We've compiled a list of the best forensics and law enforcement conferences in the UK for 2022. 

Investigating crimes against children has been at the forefront of law enforcement’s initiatives to dedicate the specialized manpower and equipment in order to battle this issue. It is not an easy issue to tackle as it manifests in many different ways and sometimes requires three or more specialized units working together to bring the offenders to justice and then another specialized unit to manage the offenders after release. On top of all the investigation time, we add digital devices to the mix, used to commit and perpetrate these crimes. When it comes time to conduct a search warrant, knock and talk, interview, or victim/witness statement, investigators need a solution to find the relevant data, minimize the number of devices brought back to the lab, minimize the impact to victims, witnesses, and innocent family members. 

In this 3-minute "How To" video, you'll learn the benefits of having a digital forensic triage process that works from field to lab. Using ADF digital forensic tools, examiners can prepare field investigators to find digital evidence and intelligence on mobile phones, tablets, computers, and storage devices starting on-scene. 

Jim, we want to thank you for the time you’ve taken to chat with us about your work and about your expertise in the areas of white collar and cyber crime. It’s an area ADF is proud to support investigators in. Your work with NW3C covers areas of white collar cyber crime such as fraud, bribery, money laundering, and more. We’ve been proud to partner with NW3C before in our joint webinar and most recently in your Capture the Flag competition!

Gina: How did your background, and 25 years of service in the United States Marine Corps Military police, prepare you for what you’re doing now?

ADF computer triage has long been admired for some of the best digital forensic triage capabilities on the market. Since 2006, ADF digital forensic experts have been building triage tools to empower investigators to quickly collect evidence and on-scene intelligence from computers and digital devices.

In this how-to video, we will cover backing up and scanning encrypted iOS devices. This skill is important to know because encrypted iOS backups return more data than unencrypted backups.

The numbers surrounding pornographic images of children, and the child abuse that creates it, are so staggering that it’s difficult not to be disheartened. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), their cyber tipline received over 42.9 million reports by November 2018. NCMEC had also reviewed over 267 million images and videos, and identified over 15,800 victims of online child exploitation and abuse.

As communities search for new ways to employ wounded, injured, or ill special operations veterans, there's a new federal government program that offers hope. 

The program which provides financial support for communities seeking to further increase their effectiveness in the fight against child exploitation is run by the U.S. Department of Justice. Communities will benefit in two key ways: 

1. Employ wounded veterans paid for via federal grant money
2. Help communities fight the ever growing battle to stop child exploitation

Looking to add key words on-scene? ADF has you covered. In this how-to video, investigators and analysts will learn how to add keywords directly from the Collection Key. As a digital evidence investigator, ADF provides the ability to create a collection key with or without Search Profiles and add keywords just before the start of a scan.

Our digital forensic specialist knows that as someone who used to go out and execute search warrants and conduct knock and talks, the ability to overcome and adapt on-scene is vital to a successful outcome. In this how-to video, Rich explains how to create a Collection Key without Search Profiles and how to add keywords prior to starting a scan from the Collection Key. 

This blog post will feature our Settings page, and tips and tricks to understanding it. The first thing users will notice on the settings page is the Backed-Up Licenses. This displays all licenses that have been backed up on this computer. When selecting a license it will display all the information pertaining to that license and also enable users to delete the license from the backed up licenses folder. Additionally, the information here can be used when making a support call or using the support portal.

We could have just written a mission statement. Maybe we’d throw in some core values, and hit you with some motivational quotes from great thought leaders. We could have done that, but that’s not the ADF way. ADF is an innovator, so we took those ideas and went further. Meet our Culture Code: a living, breathing set of standards, principles, values, and goals that we put our hearts and souls into as a team, because we are #AllinForensics. 

Our newest How-To video will cover how to image from either the Desktop tool or the USB device (Collection Key) on a Boot and Live Scan. 

When using ADF tools to collect files, either by File Properties, Hashes, or Keywords, ADF tools provide  three methods for file identification:

Conferences are an excellent opportunity for like-minded individuals in a shared career to network, expand your knowledge, find solutions to problems, or to present your ideas and knowledge. Furthermore, they're a great opportunity for others to get to know you and your work. You also have the chance to learn outside of your field and area of work. We've compiled a list of the best forensics and law enforcement conferences in the UK for 2020. 

Triage- the word is normally associated with hospitals, where doctors and nurses prioritize patients’ treatments based on the severity of their condition. The concept has been around since the Napoleonic wars and is responsible for saving innumerable lives ever since.

Software updates are something we look forward to, and when we receive that new download from our go-to tool, it makes the day even more special.  When it comes time to upgrade or re-install ADF software, as a user, you do not want your data to be lost after either the software upgrade or when selecting a new Search Profile folder.

When you first start the ADF application you will notice the tool will look to see if any new data needs to be merged or migrated.

With the ever-increasing amount of digital photo evidence, it's nearly impossible for investigators to quickly review photo evidence in a timely manner. Enter ADF Photo Probability for on-scene triage and digital investigations; one of the ways that ADF helps reduce the "noise" in a case and helps you get to the evidence faster.

A long, long time ago in a galaxy far far away
(2006 to be exact and the galaxy was Maryland USA)
It was a period of innovation.
Computers, USBs, all kinds of devices ... 
Some people were committing digital crimes
from their seemingly hidden bases in the digital world.