Forensics has gained a lot of attention due to popular television shows. It has now become one of the popular career alternatives. Due to the rise in cyber crimes computer forensic analyst are now needed in various situations. Criminals nowadays are more sophisticated. The internet is also a vulnerable place due to its accessibility.

They are keeping up with the changes of their environment. Computers are now among the common household devices. Employment in computer forensics will widen your knowledge and experience.

Taking a computer forensics course or certification will also enable the individual to take advantage of the rising need for computer forensic analysts. Computers are getting more advanced and more important as the years pass by. Most of them have also become more user-friendly while being top notch. Due to this cyber crimes will also increase.

The forensics career

There are universities and colleges that offer forensic courses. There are also certification programs and online courses in the internet. Some of these programs do not require work related experience or degree but others do. There are also advanced courses that analysts can take to widen their knowledge. It can be a certification for certain software or learn new tools and topics. Technology is continually changing and developing so analysts have to take certification programs to add and upgrade their tool kits.

Finding the right program though will depend on you. There also different topics available for those who are interested in widening their knowledge. Crimes done against people and children are now also included.

There are other training programs that will teach you from the ground up. These programs do not require any experience except for some basic computer skills. However, you have to careful in enrolling. You can be a victim while aiming to be a computer forensic yourself.

After you have become a qualified computer forensic analyst you can be employed in law enforcement agencies and organizations. Apart from that you can also do free lance work. Computers nowadays are used in a variety of purposes. Information can be a formidable weapon. It can be used for leverage or for blackmail.

Computer forensic analysts can extract important information from emails and messages from instant messaging. They can also find out if a certain computer has been used for illegal communications and activities.

Their skills can also be used in different situations other than criminal matters and law enforcement. They can also play a part in civil disputes and divorces. Their skills are not just applicable for data acquisition and retrieval but also crimes in the internet. They can detect fraud done online by examining your computer.

There are also companies that offer consulting services. Individuals with enough money often initiate their own investigations by hiring experts in the field. Of course, to get yourself employed just be sure that you have a wide educational background in computer forensics.

With the continuing importance of computer in our lives, it’s no wonder that criminals will use them to get what they want. Hacking nowadays is already a common problem. Most personal and confidential information are stored in a computer nowadays.

Computer forensics is a good alternative for those who have a degree and work experience in security technologies and computer science. The criminals are not the only ones who have to keep up with the fast paced world.

Not most of us know computer forensics until cyber crimes became more apparent. Computers have become an integral part of our lives. They have changed the way we work. Due to this cyber crimes are steadily increasing. Criminals have become to realize that if they want to keep doing their dirty deeds they have to keep abreast with the times.

Fortunately there are computer forensics analysts who can help companies to pinpoint exactly what happened. However not all us thinks this way. I have my own IT department why would I need a computer forensic analyst?

Computer forensic analysts play a big role in solving your problem. Well meaning IT professionals can do their job but unless they have computer forensic training they will just make matters worse. Its advisable that outside be help be considered to address the problem.

Why we need experts

First off, a computer forensic analyst is not just trained to extract and collect data. Computer forensics has both a technical and legal aspect involved in it. Electronic data that will be extracted from the involved computer system is handled like any other evidence in a crime scene. Computer forensics handles and examines this data in a way that it complies to the standards of the evidence.

This is done carefully and properly so that it will admissible in the court of law. If there is any indication that the electronic evidence has been tampered or tainted it will not be accepted in court.

If your IT personnel are trained in computer forensics they can handle the problem. Unfortunately, in most cases not all of them are, unless the company has specified this as a requirement for employment. In- house employees can also raise issues regarding to authentication. Electronic data that has been tampered is time-consuming to recover.

Be reminded that computer forensic experts charge by the hour. Apart from that the internal costs of delegating your It personnel to do the job, it can also create issues within the workplace. Gossip spreads like wildfire.

Computer forensic analysts are not just able to collect data but also preserve it. This includes hidden, password protected, encrypted and deleted files, including tracks that were left behind by the perpetuator. They are also able to obtain evidence from the opposing party. They find out where, when, who and what happened by analyzing a computer system and its data. They follow protocols so that any evidence will be accepted in court.

The price of hiring a computer forensic analyst or company will depend on the nature of your case. The process usually involves three phases: acquiring the data, investigation (wherein the data and the computer system is examined thoroughly), and reporting. Acquisition and reporting usually takes 15 hours. The analysis usually costs around $4,500. Computer forensic experts charge by the hour usually fro $250 to $350.

Security breaches can happen even in the most secure networks. Most often the offenders come from the company who knows the company’s network. Million of dollars are lost to fraud and sabotage. Well established banks are now hacked instead of being robbed.

Technology does aid in us in our everyday living but if it’s used for the wrong purposes it can prove to be a formidable opponent. It’s best to leave the problem to the experts.

What will you feel if you suddenly realize that one of your multi-million projects gets corrupted, it crashes, and then it burns? Sure enough, you will think that it is the end of the world for you. Just imagine how you and your staff have concerted your efforts just so the project will materialize and now that you are nearly feeling the glory of its completion, all of the data get lost.

Well, you can never tell as to whether the bits of information have been erased accidentally or on purpose because it is not for you to determine. Before you indulge yourself into feeling your world crashing under your own feet, better prefer to get in touch with the reliable individuals. In this case, there is only one person to turn to and it is none other than a computer forensics investigator.

The Nature of Computer Forensics Investigators

Computer forensics investigators are equipped with the necessary tools and techniques in recovering any lost data. Yes, there are cases when the employees themselves are to be blamed by the deletion of the file. The investigators are tasked not only to recover the erased data files but also to establish any guilt on the part of the employees should they be involved in any fraudulent activities like leaking sensitive company information to another party.

Commonly, computer forensics investigators are hired to uncover malicious acts. They are the ones who collect and then scrutinize the files for the purpose of establishing evidence to be presented before the courts of law.

Nowadays, the intelligence agencies, law enforcement, military, and other businesses deem it necessary to employ computer forensics investigators in light of the attempt of finding solution to crimes and other deceptive moves incurred by an individual.

The computer forensics investigators may either work in the laboratory or in the field. With them, files that have been deleted from one location of the computer system are tracked down and brought back in the most possible way of avoiding alterations to the original data.

Now comes in the skill and technique employed by the investigator to retain the authenticity of the information as they are transferred into another media for examination purposes.

The Computer Forensics Investigators’ Career

Computer forensics investigators deal with the revival of pertinent computer-related files as a point of the investigation. All of the details which are kept in any storage device such as the computer hard disk or compact disk are surfed. These people are the experts when it comes to identifying digital evidences and documentary sources.

The preservation, investigation, and the presentation of the data are all integral parts of their tasks. The overall goal of computer forensics is to get on with a structured manner of investigation to profoundly find out the exact reason of the flaw in the digital system and revealing what or who is to be blamed responsible for such.

Needless to say, many of the present day’s big corporations make it a point to employ project managers who are knowledgeable with the basic skills in computer forensics recovery because of the tantamount cases of lost company data. More so, the career options of the computer forensics investigators are so vast.

They can either work for an intelligence agency, in the military, or settle as computer forensics consultants. The computer forensics investigators’ options are all but rewarding.

Computers have greatly improved our lives. Unfortunately, technology can also prove to be a sophisticated weapon or aid in crime. Criminals today are more technologically aware and capable to keep up with the times. The interest in forensics has increased due to popular television shows.

However, the whole process is actually more meticulous and draining to do in comparison to the scenes on television. One of the aspects of the investigating team would be the computer forensic analyst. Like any other job they have a number of things to consider.

Due to the advancement in technology, law enforcement agencies have also incorporated computer science in their legal process. Crimes using computers and information technology were originally sporadic. However, with the advent of modern technology influencing everything we do, criminals knew they have to keep up with the times. The internet became a haven for those who commit fraud.

A day in the job

Watching forensic television shows don’t exactly depict a day in the job of forensic investigators. The tasks that they do are mentally draining and time consuming. They may look interesting due to great camera angles and effects but in reality it takes lots of patience and a keen attention to details.

Computer analysts are more concerned with analyzing computer systems to find out if they have been used or illegal activities or crimes. They also find out if the suspect’s compute contain evidence that may contribute to the investigation of the case.

Electronic evidence can be gathered from different sources. An example of this is the company’s work. The analyst can gather the information in three parts. First at the suspect’s workstation, second on the server he accessed and lastly at the network which connects the two.

Like any other piece of evidence the information gathered must be handled carefully. It also must follow the standards of admissible evidence so that it will be accepted in court. The analyst can only use methods and tools that has been tested and evaluated to make sure that they reliable and accurate. Tools can be verified by the Defense Cyber Crime Institute at no cost.

The original evidence must be handled as little as possible so that the data will not be modified. Electronic data can be easily changed compared to physical evidences. Analysts must also be cautious of viruses, damages and traps.

After the evidence has been analyzed the analyst establishes and maintains the chain of custody. The evidence will then be stored in its proper place. After the examination has been finished the analyst documents his or her reports and findings. This also includes everything that he has done so far in his investigation. The analyst has to keep in mind that they should exceed beyond their knowledge approach the investigation without bias.

If the original evidence had somehow been damaged or changed, it will not be admissible in court anymore. In this case the analyst must consider what time operations were inconvenienced. Apart from that the analyst should also consider how the sensitive information will be handled that was discovered unintentionally.

Analyst must also be careful in handling digital evidence from an owner that has not given any consent for the investigation. This happens in most cases. Apart from the evidence being inadmissible in court the analyst can also be sued.

Computer forensics is one the fields today which often gets updated. Many agencies have found the application of computer forensics very useful especially in the investigation of fraudulent actions and crimes. More so, computer forensics is the procedure that is applied when electronic devices such as the computer media is placed under careful investigation.

The process involves the discovery and analysis of any available data whether they have been hidden or deleted. These are among the evidences that will support the defense and claim of a particular individual or company as they file for any legal action.

Moreover, computer forensics specialists use the tools that recover both the accidentally and intentionally erased files and information. So whether the loss of the data is blamed to the untoward occurrences of hardware failure, there is a better chance of recuperating them. One of the biggest computer forensics problems though is how to retain the original data without the slightest alteration in them.

So much to say, even during the process of shutting down the computer system to transfer the data into another media may cause changes in them. It is important that the computer forensics expert has the skill to maintain the exact form of the data. Nobody can exactly say when the data may be altered but with the most apt tool and the specialist’s skills, it can be possibly prevented.

Computer forensics attracted the attention of the public during the height of the Enron scandal which prompted the widest-ranging computer forensics investigation marked in the world’s history. As computers these days are becoming an integral part of human life, big quantities of data are being stored in these electronic devices.

More so, crimes and other fraudulent acts are likewise increasing in intervals. Computer forensics investigations are also done in emails, websites visited, chat histories, and many other forms of electronic communications.

The advances in today’s technology have shaped the improvement of computer forensics. The developers continually upgrade their tools to meet the increasing intensities of computer forensics problems. Modern software and tools are coming out into the market which nonetheless makes the task easier for the computer forensics experts. Thus, data is found and restored faster and with more preciseness.

These evidences need to be in their original format especially when they are to be used as evidences in the court. These proofs are often gathered from all kinds of computer media such as the discs, Pen drives, tapes, memory sticks, logs, emails, PDAs, handhelds, deleted information, and hidden documents.

The people’s common notion is that when the data is deleted from its location, the file is already completely deleted and unfound. This makes you wrong though. Upon deletion, what is erased is only that of the data’s reference location but the actual document remains intact in your computer system.

It is easiest to tell that the data have been deleted but the common computer forensics problem is where and how to find it and how to recover them without making traces of changes. Thus, the solution to the dilemma will entirely depend on the computer forensics professional’s skills.

Computer data security is very important so it is also significant that they remain original. Part of the training of these professionals includes the molding of their skills to be careful when handling the recovery of the data at all times.

However, it is not for them to conclude when data may be altered or not. This remains as one of the top computer forensics problems to date.

Computer forensics has been garnering a lot if interest due to the increase of cyber crimes. The need for computer forensic experts is steadily increasing. As the technology continues to develop criminals and offenders find a way to catch up. The Computer has become an important part of your lives.

It has changed the way we work and live. This is why it has become the target of criminals and offenders. Computer forensics helps combat crimes. It is also necessary for them to avoid mistakes and make sure that they do their job. Fortunately a computer forensic toolkit is available to make sure that they got all the bases covered.

Computer forensics is complex. It needs careful preparation and procedures must be followed diligently. It may look easy in television but computer forensics takes a lot steps. If any of these steps are missed the evidence can be tampered. The evidence will be inadmissible in court and the computer forensic analyst may face a lawsuit.

The right tools for the right job

Like any other job we need the right tools for it. These tools are important to be able to do your job well and avoid mistakes as much as possible. If you’re a computer forensic expert you cannot afford to make a mistake. Any evidence should be handled carefully and properly.

Any IT professional can retrieve data but they are not trained in evidence techniques that are necessary for the job. In most cases the computer system is taken from owners even though they have provided consent. If the data and the machine are compromised the computer forensic analyst may face a lawsuit.

The computer forensic toolkit reduces the risk of making mistakes while doing your investigation. It also serves as a guide and framework to be able to have a smooth investigation. It also serves as en educational guide for newcomers that will provide the technical and legal know how to a forensic investigation.

A computer forensics toolkit is available online. Unfortunately it not free and costs $199. It’s a comprehensive guide for both the beginner and the veteran. To keep with the continuing changes in the technology tools such as these are important for a faster and more efficient forensic investigation. Computer forensics is not exactly one of those jobs wherein you can erase your mistake and begin over.

The whole tool kit can be viewed in MS word format for easier reading. The first part of the toolkit is the Introduction and Guide. It contains a comprehensive overview of computer forensics with an outline for the whole procedure. The next is Management Presentation. It is followed by forensics report template which provides a guide in making consistent reports.

Essential Forensics Forms, as the name suggests contains all requisite forms for documentation. Manuals and Procedures contain all the steps done in the forensic laboratory. Forensic glossary contains all the terms. Forensic resources contain the FAQ, cost estimator, case studies and valuable tips.

There’s checklist to keep track of your progress. The last but not the least is the Tool Reference Catalog which contains the list of documents and software tools that you need.

The toolkit will provide the know how for any newcomer and a reviewer for the veteran. Every analyst should keep abreast with the times to make sure that the criminals won’t overtake them.

When we hear forensics we have envision detectives dusting off prints in a crime scene. When we hear computer forensics we imagine guys in a lab coat examining a computer in a lab. This may be true but the uses of computer forensics are wide and varied.

They are not just used in law enforcement and criminal matter. Computers have become an important part of our lives. Most of the time they contain important information than can turn into a piece of evidence.

Technology is continually developing which means that information is the next valuable commodity. Most business stores their confidential information in computer systems which make them the target for hackers. Hacking is a possible threat. Security technologies continue develop so do criminals who are bent on cracking them.

The purpose of computer forensics

The main purpose of computer forensics is examining a computer system to find if it has been used for a criminal act. All of its contents are thoroughly analyzed to find out if it contains substantial or supportive evidence. The entire investigation is not as easy as it is portrayed in television shows.

Computer forensic analysts have to follow a set of procedures to be able to comply with the standards of evidence. If they not follow legal procedures the evidence will considered inadmissible in court.

Computers are used in a variety of purposes. Most often this hardware contains pertinent information. Computer forensic experts can trace emails, instant messages and computer related communication. They can examine portable storage devices that may contain evidence. They can find out when, who and what happened by acquiring and analyzing data.

It can be used if a company network’s security is breached. Almost all businesses nowadays store important and confidential information in their computer system. Computer forensic analysts will able to detect if someone has disclosed corporate information. In these cases they can be either accidental or intentional.

Million of dollars have been lost due to sabotage and employee theft. They can also find out if there has been a case of industrial espionage. Competition has always been stiff in any industry and with the technology today some use it to get ahead.

In general cases, criminals often store or leave traces of information in their computers.

It is applicable in deception cases such as counterfeiting. It has also been important in playing a part of finding evidence for phishing which is very common. Analysts are able to track down child pornography by tracing buy and sell activities online. It has played a part in many cases from corporate fraud to threats in national security.

We may not know but exchanging information through the internet can also be used against us. The internet is a public place which makes it vulnerable to scams that prey on unsuspecting victims. Information now has become a valuable commodity. Criminals nowadays are able to hack into computer systems.

It can also be applied in cases wherein relevant information is needed. Analysts can obtain information from an opposing party. In most criminal cases they can examine computer system even without the consent of the owner.

Information is becoming more readily available nowadays. As computers become more important to us it will continually become targets by criminals and offenders. Computer forensics enables us to keep with the rising cyber crimes.

Computer forensics has become an important of litigation. Computers have become an important part of your lives. This does not exclude criminals who have the technical know how of hacking into computer network systems. Electronic evidence has played a role in court but obtaining can be difficult.

There have been issues of authenticity concerned with this type of evidence. Nonetheless it still used today with the help of legal standards to make them admissible in court. Computer forensics is beneficial but it also has disadvantages.

Computers are the most dominant form of technology. It has been used in variety of purposes which has made digital and electronic evidence important. However there are still setbacks to this field.

Pros and Cons

The exchange of information is taking place everyday over the internet. Although this may be convenient for us, it can also pose as an opportunity for criminals. Phishing, corporate fraud, intellectual property disputes, theft, breach of contract and asset recovery are some of the situations wherein computer forensics can be used.

Apart from the technical aspect, legal issues are also involved. Computer forensic analysts make their investigation in such a way that the electronic evidence will be admissible in court.

There are advantages and disadvantages when it comes to computer forensics. This field is relatively new and criminal matters usually dealt with physical evidences. This makes electronic evidence something very new. Fortunately it has been a helpful tool wherein important data needed for a case that has been lost, deleted or damaged can be retrieved.

Computer forensics’ main advantage is its ability to search and analyze a mountain of data quickly and efficiently. They can search keywords in a hard drive in different languages which is beneficial since cyber crimes can easily cross borders through the internet.

Valuable data that has been lost and deleted by offenders can be retrieved which becomes substantial evidence in court. Legal professionals are able to produce data in court that were previously impossible.

The first setback when using electronic or digital evidence is making it admissible in court. Data can be easily modified. Analyst must be bale to fully comply with standards of evidence required in the court of law. The computer forensic analyst must show that the data is tampered.

His or her own investigation must also be fully documented and accounted for. Computer forensics must also training of legal standard procedures when handling evidence.

The main disadvantage is the cost of when retrieving data. Computer forensic experts hire per hour. Analysis and reporting of data can take as long as 15 hours but it will also depend on the nature of the case. Another one is that when retrieving data, analyst may inadvertently disclose privilege documents.

Legal practitioners involved in the case must also have knowledge of computer forensics. If not they will not be able to cross examine an expert witness. This also applies to the judge, solicitors and barristers. Computer forensics is still fairly new and some may not understand it. The analyst must be able to communicate his findings in a way that everyone will understand.

Although computer forensics has its disadvantage, this can be solved by the party involved. Evidence on the other hand can only be captured once. The use of computers and the rise of cyber crimes also call for an equally high the method of stopping it.

What consists the computer forensics reports? Where are they based from? More so, with the people’s continued reliance on the Internet, the computer forensics investigators are tasked to unearth all information which have been made using the emails, file transfers, Internet website searches, online account negotiations, chats and any other transaction made over the Internet.

Computer forensics reports are prepared by none other than the computer forensics investigators who gather the necessary information, analyze them and then draft out the final computer forensics reports. In the advent of the multifarious computer-related crime incidents, the criminals oftentimes leave behind the clues which aid the investigators to track down the root cause of the crime.

Even when the files have been deleted from the specific location in the computer, the original data is not at all erased from the entire computer system. With the certain techniques, tools, and skills that the investigators are equipped with, the analysis of the fraudulent act or crime can be made much accurate.

As soon as the evidence has been derived from the electronic media, the computer forensics experts prepare their computer forensics reports. The lawyers who are in charged to tackle the cases are prompted to gather as much bundles of information as possible as it is needed in the course of the computer forensics dealings.

Among the significant cautions to note of include the backing up of the compressed data, tapes, encrypted data as sourced out from the computer system’s platform, and the collection of the password protected files.

There is only one problem that computer forensics reports get affected with though, and that has something to do with the strides in the modern technology that nonetheless make the achievement of the reports pretty hard. If the software or tool that the investigators use is not updated, the more it is difficult for them to arrive at a precise conclusion and findings. Thus, there is the necessity of the continued update when it comes to the computer forensics tools and software applications.

Where are the computer forensics reports sourced out from? There are mainly four areas from where the investigators gather their evidences. Yes, there are other areas which are looked into but the following are the most commonly looked into.

The saved files. These are the bits of information which are viewable on the computer itself. The task of looking into these files is not at all complicated.

The deleted files. These data are either placed into the trash or those which require the special software in order to restore them.

The temporary files. These data are produced when one browses through the Internet, works on any document, and uses some other types of backup software and other installations and applications. All of these may only be uncovered through the use of a special tool or software.

The meta data. These are the details which are related with the information that have something to do with a document or file. Among the details which appear include the date that such files had been created, modified, and the last time when it was accessed. An add-on information is about the creator of the said file.

Indeed, computer forensics reports can only be made precise with the proper skill and technique which the person in charged will exert.

Computers have radically changed the way we live your lives. Everyday living as become easier and technologically advanced decades ago. It has changed the way we work and the way we live in our houses. Children to day are sometimes even more technologically aware than their parents. Mobiles phones have gotten smaller and laptops have gotten slimmer.

With the launch of the Iphone that used the touch screen technology it will only be a matter of time when this idea permeates into other devices and appliances. Unfortunately, technology also makes it easier for criminals to their dirty job. However, computer forensics makes sure that technology is put to lawful use.

Everyone keeps up with the times, even the criminals. The internet is a public place which makes it vulnerable for fraud. Criminals often take advantage of unsuspecting victims. Law enforcement agencies have incorporated computer science in their investigation process to aid them with computer savvy criminals.

Crime and computers

We have seen a lot of Hollywood movies about hackers stealing from financial institutions. We have also seen two parties making their deals through bank transfers with a bunch of computers. Although these are not possible in real life, there are other ways that criminals can use computers.

Computer forensics is basically applying computer science to assist in the legal process. It entails the technological and systematic inspection of the contents of a computer system for evidence. Individuals in this field are called by different titles such as digital media analyst or computer forensics investigator. These people scanned a computer thoroughly to find out if they have used for a civil wrongdoing or criminal act.

The skills required are more than just normal data collection and using preservation techniques. Other definitions include the use of special tools to meet the Court’s criteria and not just a thorough examination of a computer for potential evidence. This definition is similar to Electric Evidentiary Recovery or e-discovery.

Most of the time computer forensic investigators investigate hard drives, portable data devices and data storage devices. These devices include USB Drives, Micro Drives and external Drives.

The first task of the computer forensic investigator is to find sources of documentary or digital evidence. The next step would be to preserve the evidence so that it could be analyzed later on. When dealing with computer systems, important files or data can be quickly lost.

The investigator should take the necessary test because data retrieval can be time consuming and costly. The investigator would then analyze the collected data for potential and supportive evidence. The final step would be presenting the findings. The investigator will render his opinion based on the examination and make a report.

The process of using computer forensics must comply with the standards of evidence that are acceptable in court. This field is both technical and legal. The investigator should also have a complete understanding of the suspect’s level of sophistication. If they don’t the suspects are assumed to be experts.

Investigators then presume that the criminal have installed a countermeasure to render forensic techniques useless. The computer will then be shutdown completely to prohibit the machine from making further modifications to its drives.

Computer technology has changed the way we live, work, and for others – commit crime. Although the internet may seem like a very convenient place users should always be wary for seemingly innocent offers.