Disk Forensics
Key Functionalities for Disk Forensics
File Structure Insight: Provides a navigable view of the file system, allowing quick access to directories and specific files. This feature is critical for locating suspicious files.
Hex Viewer: Enables detailed inspection of files in hexadecimal format, useful when dealing with custom malware or specific exploits.
Web Artifacts Analysis: Allows analysis of user web data, such as browsing history and cached files, which is essential for tracking activities leading up to an incident.
Email Carving: Extracts and displays email data from disk images, often valuable when investigating internal threats or communication-based attacks.
Image Viewer: Facilitates viewing images stored on the system, potentially useful for policy checks or identifying illegal content.
Metadata Analysis: Provides insights into file attributes like creation dates, modification times, and hashes. These details help establish a timeline and correlate with other findings, such as malware activity.
Autopsy: A Forensic Tool Overview
Autopsy is an open-source digital forensics tool that leverages the Sleuth Kit framework. It provides a user-friendly interface with extensive features found in commercial tools, such as:
Data Source Navigation: Explore files and directories directly within the disk image.
Web Artifact Examination: Extracts web browsing artifacts like history, bookmarks, and cached files.
Attached Device Analysis: Identifies and examines external devices connected to the system.
Deleted File Recovery: Recovers deleted files by scanning the disk sectors for data remnants.
Keyword Searches: Performs in-depth searches across disk content for specific keywords.
Keyword Lists: Allows targeted searching using pre-defined lists of keywords (e.g., names, IPs, indicators of compromise).
Timeline Analysis: Maps out events chronologically, aiding in the construction of an accurate timeline for investigation.
Practical Use of Autopsy in Forensic Analysis
Once a disk image is loaded in Autopsy, the forensic artifacts are organized in the sidebar, enabling efficient access to:
Data Sources: A view of all files and directories.
Web Artifacts: A focused view of internet history and related data.
Device Information: Details on any attached external devices.
Deleted Files: Recovered files and fragments that were marked for deletion.
Keyword & List Searches: In-depth searching capabilities.
Timeline Analysis: An organized, chronological display of system events, crucial for understanding the sequence of actions leading up to an incident.
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