How To Select Computer Forensics SoftwareIn common with many other professions, the field of computer forensic investigation makes use of tools to allow practitioners to carry out their tasks effectively and efficiently. How and why these common computer forensic software "tools" are used make up the main focus of this article. Although most real world tools are designed to carry out certain specific tasks (the hammer to hammer nails, the screwdriver to turn a screw, etc.) apart from which these do not have the flexibility to function differently, many tools in the digital world are designed to be multi-functional. In almost the same way, certain computer forensic software applications are designed keeping a unique purpose in mind, while others have a host of functionalities. The inimitable nature of these investigations will determine the type of the computer forensic tools to be used for them. These computer forensic tools picked from the investigator's evidence toolkit are essential in taking the most appropriate way for finishing the task in hand. While computer forensic tools differ in utility and intricacy, they also differ from each other in terms of the cost that is required to acquire them. This exactly explains why some leading software forensic tools in the market cost thousands of dollars while others come absolutely for free. Again, the nature of the forensic examination and the goal of the investigation will determine the most appropriate tools to be used. A cursory glance over the main concepts revolving around computer forensic examination is essential to be known before the forensic tools are regarded as topics of examination and speculation. This is especially beneficial for those who are novices in this field of specialization. In general, a computer forensics investigation uses these tools in order to gather data from a system (e.g. a computer or computer network) without altering the data on that system. This aspect of an investigation where extra care is taken so as not to disturb the original data in the system is of fundamental importance while undertaking computer forensic examination and certain tools available ion the market are manufactured to suit this very end. This is a rather surprising proposition since in reality it is often not the case that you can collect data from a system without altering any part of it. In fact the process of shutting a computer down also brings certain changes into the workings of the machine. But a forensic investigator continually strives to achieve that state of perfection where he can collect data without tampering with the original integrity of the same wherever the situation permits. In order to do this, many computer forensic examinations involve the making of an exact copy of all the data on a disk. This is known as an image and the process of creating one is known as imaging. The fact that certain deleted data, or parts of it, are recoverable constitutes another major concept of forensic examination. Generally speaking, when data is deleted it is not physically wiped from the system but rather only a reference to the location of the data (on a hard disk or other medium) is removed. Thus the data may still be present but the operating system of the computer no longer "knows" about it. By imaging and examining all of the data on a disk, rather than just the parts known to the operating system, it may be possible to recover data which has been accidentally or purposefully deleted. Data recovery is an important part of computer forensics analysis and training. There are plenty of computer forensic services out there that can give you the right guidance and can even send an expert computer forensic investigator to your home or business. There are several security products - hardware and software - out there to help you. So do not be worried if you do not have the time or the will to do the forensics yourself. |