Digital Forensics Concepts

Welcome to the Digital Forensics Concepts course, where students are introduced to the fundamental concepts and methodologies of digital forensics. They will learn about the role of the examiner, forensic methodology, and the preparation of forensic workstations.

Module 2 focuses on legal considerations and search authority in digital forensics. Students will explore applicable laws, ethics, preservation, consent, and the process of obtaining search warrants and subpoenas.

This module delves into the investigation process, covering Locard’s Exchange Principle, the Scientific Method, and the handling of big data in digital forensics.

Here, students will learn about recognizing and collecting digital evidence, including preparation for the scene, documentation, recognition, collection, and proper storage and transportation of digital evidence.

Module 5 focuses on the preservation of evidence and on-scene triage, covering topics such as live vs. dead box evidence collection, capturing volatile media, and forensic boot options.

Students will gain an understanding of hash values and file hashing, including the function and uses of hashing, creating hash sets, and hashing files.

This module covers the process of creating a disk image, including sterilizing target media, validating tools, using write blockers, and creating and validating a forensic image using tools like Linux DD Command.

Module 8 focuses on keyword and grep searches, teaching students how to formulate case-specific keyword lists, review grep, use grep search, and perform keyword searching with autopsy.

This module provides an overview of network basics, including the definition of a network, IP and MAC addresses, internet protocols, and the OSI model.

Students will learn about report writing and peer review, understanding the importance of tool-generated reports, and the significance of peer review in digital forensics.

Finally, this module guides students through a digital forensics project, offering a walkthrough of questions, project hints, challenge questions, and project solutions.