Posts Tagged ‘Computer Forensics’

What is Computer Forensics?

Tuesday, August 19th, 2008

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.

Certificate Program in Computer Forensics

Tuesday, August 19th, 2008

A way to be Certified Computer forensics that is otherwise known as Electronic Evidence Discovery or Digital Forensics is defined as the conservation, restoration, and examination of the amount of information which is kept on the computer or on any other type of electronic media.

Over time, computer forensics has gained a wide number of patrons as it continuously turns out to be an integral tool and resource of the proof of evidence for the prosecutors, corporate counsel, and criminal investigators’ use. The investigators concert their efforts to distinguish and then recover the corrupted, formatted, hidden or deleted files from any electronic media while attempting to maintain the originality of the form of the crucial data.

Some special software is utterly used in keeping up with the said procedure. Moreover, only the professionals who have earned the degree through a certificate program in computer forensics can capably do this.

Before you attempt to know more of the degree that equips an individual with the necessary skills on computer forensics, you should first realize that this field is widely popularizing in several areas such as in the law enforcement, military, and intelligence agencies as well as in the big corporations.

Computer forensics is nonetheless an application which aids in solving the crimes and other derogatory actions done by an individual. Court cases require the presentation of the utmost evidence which have been collected by the computer forensics investigators.

Certificate Program in Computer Forensics as a RequirementSince computer forensics is continually offering a vast range of professional careers, there are more and more individuals who seek to earn the degree in the said field. To become a full-fledged computer forensics investigator, one needs to take up the certificate program in computer forensics. For now, the educational requirements for achieving a career in computer forensics are quite minimal.

Most graduates land on jobs in the law enforcement agencies and computer security posts. Of course, the main requirement is the certificate program in computer forensics so it is a must that one takes up the formal educational units in this field.

The Career Path for the Computer Forensics Professional depends on his qualifications and credentials. A computer forensics professional may start a career with the computer firms, military, law enforcement, and intelligence agencies. Others can prefer to become freelance consultants.

Some people would rather like to be in less risky jobs such as becoming a security guard. The wages likewise vary as per the individual’s experience is concerned. Through all of these, it is only proper that one is endowed with a profound ground in line with the tools and techniques utilized in the tasks concerned with computer forensics.

And, all of these may only be attained by taking up the certificate program in computer forensics.Two of the significant phases in the formal education concerning computer forensics are the on-the-job application training as well as the academic prospectus of the degree program. The academic requirements differ from one training center to another in relation with the job specification that one seeks.

Definitely, the forensic scientists who appear in court are those who are called the experts and who typically bear their doctoral or master’s degree.

Indeed, it is important that the trainee passes the requirements for the classes and the entire course for the certificate program in computer forensics.