Digital hardware tools for performing forensic analysis of digital information

For this SLP, the object is to review digital hardware tools for performing forensic analysis of digital information in a small organization. The tools should be able to copy the contents of a hard drive, find and recover files deleted from a hard drive, determine history of websites visited, search a computer’s hard drive for key words, compare contents of files on the computer’s hard drive, copy contents of other storage devices, and log the activities performed.
Here are some tools to evaluate:
DFF
FTK Imager
Magnet RAM Capture
Wireshark
COFEE
https://www.forensicscolleges.com/blog/resources/guide-digital-forensics-tools
Once you have explored two of the tools, answer the following questions in 2-3 pages:
• Provide a brief description of the tool and what it is supposed to do
• Explain how it might help forensic operations in finding evidence for digital crimes
• Describe the possible advantages of using this tool
• Describe the possible drawbacks of using this tool
• Provide an example of its application.

Full Answer Section

    FTK Imager FTK Imager is a commercial tool that can be used to create forensic images of hard drives and other storage devices. It can also be used to search and analyze forensic images. FTK Imager is a GUI tool that is easy to use, even for beginners. Here is how each of these tools can be used to help forensic operations in finding evidence for digital crimes:
  • DFF can be used to copy the contents of a hard drive, including deleted files. This can be useful for finding evidence of data that has been intentionally deleted, such as child pornography or evidence of fraud. DFF can also be used to determine the history of websites visited, which can be useful for tracking down suspects in online crimes.
  • FTK Imager can be used to create forensic images of hard drives and other storage devices. This is important because it allows forensic investigators to work with a copy of the data, rather than the original data. This helps to preserve the integrity of the evidence and prevents it from being accidentally modified. FTK Imager can also be used to search and analyze forensic images, which can help investigators to find hidden or deleted files.
Here are some of the advantages of using DFF and FTK Imager:
  • Both tools are free to use.
  • Both tools are easy to use, even for beginners.
  • Both tools are powerful and can be used to find a wide variety of evidence.
  • Both tools are supported by active communities of users and developers.
Here are some of the drawbacks of using DFF and FTK Imager:
  • DFF is a command-line tool, which can be difficult to use for some people.
  • FTK Imager is a commercial tool, which can be expensive for some organizations.
  • Both tools can be slow to process large amounts of data.
  • Both tools can be complex to use, and there is a risk of accidentally damaging the evidence.
Overall, DFF and FTK Imager are both powerful tools that can be used to find evidence of digital crimes. DFF is a good choice for organizations that need a free and open-source tool, while FTK Imager is a good choice for organizations that need a more powerful and user-friendly tool. In addition to DFF and FTK Imager, there are many other digital hardware tools that can be used for forensic analysis. Some of these tools are more specialized than DFF and FTK Imager, and they may be better suited for specific types of investigations. For example, there are tools that can be used to recover deleted files from mobile phones, tools that can be used to analyze network traffic, and tools that can be used to extract data from cloud storage services. The best digital hardware tool for a particular investigation will depend on the specific needs of the investigator. However, DFF and FTK Imager are two good options for general-purpose forensic analysis.

Sample Answer

   

DFF

DFF (Disk Forensic Framework) is a free and open-source tool that can be used to copy the contents of a hard drive, find and recover files deleted from a hard drive, and determine the history of websites visited. It can also be used to search a computer's hard drive for key words, compare the contents of files on the computer's hard drive, and copy the contents of other storage devices. DFF is a command-line tool, but it can be used with a graphical user interface (GUI) called dfVFS.