Soft Networks

Archive for the ‘Computer Forensics’ Category

In this modern age, none wanna be backward on the behalf of the computer knowledge and that is why today were find huge number of computer books in the market and Computer Books Online as well.

In order to get the common concept about the computer operation we all need to get the the starting knowledge of the computer and which could be learned easily with the help of MS Office books from which we can know about MS Excel, MS Power Point and MS Word. All these three operations of computer are the most important thing and among these three MS Word is the most rigorous to learn because if your are unaware about its working procedure then it would be very tough and typical for you so to learn other processing of the programming machine which is commonly known as a computer.

With the help of internetwork connection we can know about Vista, CADD, interaction design,UNIX international, XML programming Bible, computer circuit designing, Java and so on. All the above computer related topic tells us that the area of computer is very wide. If we take a dip in the ocean of the computer information then we will be amazed that how widen has become the technology.

The computer books like Jupiner network net screen and firewalls, Mac OS X Leopard, computers in society, Java applications, database a primer, upgrading and repairing personal computers, build your own website-the right way using HTML and CSS, computer forensics etc are fantastic books written by various authors and are capable to let to know a widen areas and computer specialization.  Read more... (370 words, 1 image, estimated 1:29 mins reading time)

The federal Eastern District Court of Missouri recently issued a ruling that could broaden the remedies available to Hawaii employers for damage caused to computers by departing employees.

Specifically, in Lasco Foods, Inc. v. Hall and Shaw Sales, Marketing, & Consulting, the Court interpreted the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (“CFAA”) to permit a federal remedy for employers whose former employees delete and/or steal company information from laptop computers.

In that case, two managers left the plaintiff company and, according to the plaintiff, failed to return their laptop computers when requested and copied or downloaded confidential and trade secret information.  The files on the computer containing such information were then deleted prior to the laptop computers being returned.  The plaintiff filed a complaint alleging several causes of action, including a claim under CFAA.

The Court rejected the defendants’ argument in a motion to dismiss that the plaintiff was prohibited from asserting a claim under CFAA.  The CFAA permits a cause of action for any person who suffers damage or loss by a violation of the act, so long as the damage sustained during a one-year period totals at least ,000 in value.  

The CFAA defines damage as “any impairment to the integrity or availability of data, a program, a system or information.”  The CFAA defines loss as “any reasonable cost to any victim, including the cost of responding to an offense, conducting a damage assessment, and restoring the data, program, system or information to its condition prior to the offense, and any revenue lost, cost incurred, or other consequential damages incurred because of interruption of service.”   Read more... (637 words, 1 image, estimated 2:33 mins reading time)

If one is fueled with an interest in forensics, it is a logical step to look for forensic science schools to satisfy the curiosity.  Short of being presented with an opportunity to attend medical school, most are everyday Joes trying to make it through the day and put food on the family table.

As law enforcement agencies recognize the need to furnish their workforce with better knowledge and techniques, many choose to conduct various forms of continuous education programs.  Working hand in hand with local educational institutions, both parties share knowledge as well as responsibility in making their neighborhood a safer place.  As mathematicians and scientists share the joys of the subject, both come to appreciate common ground between knowledge and law.  As officers do not need to take time off to pursue full-time education, departments do not suffer a lack of resources.  By applying knowledge learnt as part of training on the job, it certainly assures a quicker learning curve.

Various forensic science schools offer online courses to cater to the needs of busy students juggling between family, work and study.  It is however best to make careful deduction before settling on any one.  Some schools offer programs with joint efforts to local establishments for access to laboratories.  These probably make better options as lab access may form an integral part in the course of study.  Computer forensics, on the other hand, may not require actual lab access if the online program offers a suitable environment for one to build up his prowess.  Read more... (367 words, 1 image, estimated 1:28 mins reading time)

Computer Misuse – What Should I Do If I Suspect?

These are some simple actions to assist you as an HR Manager to ensure that your company is following correct procedures, ACAS guidelines and best practice, and legal requirements.

1. Always have an independent witness to the actions you are taking

2. If the data/images are on a desktop computer: Advise the user that you are carrying out an investigation into the computer usage and Turn off the suspect computer immediately – if possible take out the power supply to the computer, do not use windows to power down the computer. Consider the most appropriate action to be taken at this point against the user of the suspect computer, this may be alternative work, or suspension on full pay whilst the forensic analysis and investigation is being completed.

3. If it is a Laptop computer: Take the power cable out of the computer and remove the battery pack. Again, consider the most appropriate action to be taken at this point against the user of the suspect computer. This may be alternative work or suspension on full pay whilst the investigation and forensic analysis is being completed.

4. Move all of the suspect equipment to a safe, secure lockable storage area.

5. Seal the computer/laptop (ideally seal each suspect piece of equipment in their own ‘professional’ plastic exhibit bag), alternatively place it in polythene or Clingfilm wrap and lock away in a secure area.
 Read more... (516 words, 1 image, estimated 2:04 mins reading time)

Audio and Visual evidence is becoming more and more prevalent in court cases around the world.  In the UK there are more CCTV cameras than in any other country, some would say this is big brother watching over everything we do, others would see past the scaremongers and see that everyone is using it as it can be an effective way of getting convictions in court.

The main issue with visual evidence in particular is the quality of the recording.  There are high definition quality cameras, but these are still relatively scarce due to their cost.  Visual forensic analysis can extract data from seemingly unusable digital video content and lead the way to vital information that can solve criminal cases and stand up in court.

Audio forensic analysis is similar in that by examining audio that may at first listen seem inaudible; experts can extract sounds and clear any background noise to give a clear stream of audio evidence.  Such recordings can come from any number of sources including mobile telephones or recorded conversations.

As an extended arm of digital forensics, audio and visual forensic experts will also look to recover audio and video information that was thought to have been deleted.  With many people storing digital data on computer hard drives or other removable media, it is often the job of computer forensic experts to first recover the data from deep inside the computer’s memory.  This multi-step recovery process, from first getting hold of the hardware that is storing the data, to recovering the data to then clean it up so that it can be clear what its contents are can be a large undertaking, but is often ultimately worth it.  Read more... (323 words, 1 image, estimated 1:18 mins reading time)