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Day 19

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Module:-6

Day/-19

Introduction to OS forensics:-

Introduction to OS Forensics

Operating System (OS) forensics is a subset of digital forensics focused on the examination
and analysis of operating systems. It involves the collection, preservation, analysis, and
presentation of digital evidence from OS environments to investigate and solve cybercrimes
or security incidents. OS forensics is essential for understanding the activities performed on
a system and for reconstructing events leading up to a security breach or malicious activity.

Key Concepts in OS Forensics

1. Digital Evidence:
• Digital evidence includes any information stored or transmitted in digital form that
can be used in court. In the context of OS forensics, this includes files, logs, system settings,
and more.
2. Chain of Custody:
• Ensuring that the digital evidence collected is handled properly to maintain its
integrity and authenticity. It involves documenting who handled the evidence, when, and
under what conditions.
3. Live vs. Dead Analysis:
• Live Analysis: Examining a running system to gather volatile data (e.g., RAM
contents, active network connections).
• Dead Analysis: Analyzing data from a powered-down system, often involving disk
images and other non-volatile storage.

Components of OS Forensics

1. File System Analysis:


• Examining the structure and contents of file systems to recover deleted files,
identify hidden data, and understand file access patterns.
2. Registry Analysis (Windows):
• Analyzing the Windows Registry to extract information about system and user
activities, installed software, network configurations, and more.
3. Log Analysis:
• Reviewing system logs (e.g., event logs, security logs) to trace user actions,
system errors, and security events.
4. Memory Forensics:
• Analyzing RAM dumps to uncover running processes, open network connections,
and other volatile data that cannot be obtained from a powered-off system.
5. Network Forensics:
• Investigating network traffic and connections to identify malicious
communications, unauthorized access, and data exfiltration.

Tools Used in OS Forensics

• Autopsy/The Sleuth Kit: A comprehensive forensic tool for analyzing disk images
and file systems.
• FTK Imager: A tool for creating forensic images of hard drives and other storage
media.
• Volatility: A memory forensics framework for analyzing RAM dumps.
• Wireshark: A network protocol analyzer for capturing and examining network
traffic.

Best Practices

• Preserve the original data: Always work on copies of the original data to avoid
altering the evidence.
• Document every step: Maintain detailed records of the investigation process,
including the tools used, methods applied, and findings.
• Follow legal guidelines: Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
when handling and presenting digital evidence.

Applications of OS Forensics

• Incident Response: Quickly identifying and responding to security incidents by


analyzing affected systems.
• Cybercrime Investigation: Gathering evidence to support the prosecution of
cybercriminals.
• Malware Analysis: Understanding the behavior and impact of malicious software on
a system.
• Compliance Audits: Verifying that systems adhere to security policies and
regulations.

OS forensics plays a crucial role in modern cybersecurity, enabling investigators to


uncover the details of digital crimes and security breaches, ensuring justice and
improving the security posture of organizations.

Windows Forensic Methodology Collecting Volatile Information:-

:)

Windows Forensic Methodology: Collecting Volatile Information

Collecting volatile information is a critical first step in any Windows forensic investigation.
Volatile data includes information that is lost when the system is powered down, such as the
contents of RAM, running processes, open network connections, and other temporary data.
This data can provide valuable insights into the state of the system at the time of an incident.

Steps to Collect Volatile Information

1. Prepare a Forensic Toolkit:


• Use a pre-compiled toolkit with trusted forensic tools stored on a USB drive or
other removable media. This toolkit should include tools for capturing memory, process
information, network connections, and other volatile data.
2. Document the Environment:
• Before collecting any data, document the system’s current state. This includes
noting the date and time, the system’s physical location, and any visible indications of
tampering or unusual activity.
3. Capture System Memory (RAM):
• Use tools like FTK Imager, Magnet RAM Capture, or Belkasoft Live RAM Capturer to
create a memory dump. Memory captures can reveal active processes, open files, and other
important data.
4. Collect Process Information:
• Run commands or use tools to list all running processes and their associated
details. Commands like tasklist or tools like PsList from the Sysinternals suite can be used.

tasklist /V > C:\path\to\output\processes.txt

5. Capture Network Connections and Configuration:


• Gather information about current network connections and listening ports using
commands like netstat and tools like TCPView.

netstat -ano > C:\path\to\output\netstat.txt

ipconfig /all > C:\path\to\output\networkconfig.txt

6. Log Active Sessions and Open Files:


• List active user sessions with query user.

query user > C:\path\to\output\usersessions.txt

6.
• Identify open files and the processes accessing them using handle from
Sysinternals.

handle > C:\path\to\output\openfiles.txt

7. Record System Uptime:


• Determine how long the system has been running, which can help establish a
timeline.

systeminfo | find "System Boot Time" > C:\path\to\output\systeminfo.txt

8. Capture Clipboard Contents:


• The clipboard may contain valuable data that can be easily overlooked.
powershell Get-Clipboard > C:\path\to\output\clipboard.txt

9. Collect Browser Activity:


• Extract information about currently open browser tabs and browsing history. This
can often be done using browser-specific tools or scripts.

Tools and Commands Overview

• FTK Imager: For creating memory dumps.


• PsList (Sysinternals): For listing active processes.
• netstat: For capturing network connections.
• TCPView: For visualizing network activity.
• ipconfig: For capturing network configuration.
• query user: For listing active user sessions.
• handle (Sysinternals): For listing open files.
• powershell: For capturing clipboard contents.
• Web browser-specific tools: For extracting browsing data.

● Best Practices

• Minimize Impact: Ensure that the tools and commands used do not significantly
alter the system state.
• Preserve Integrity: Work on copies of collected data whenever possible to avoid
tampering with original evidence.
• Chain of Custody: Maintain a detailed log of all actions taken and tools used to
ensure the integrity and admissibility of the collected evidence.
• Use Trusted Tools: Only use well-established and verified forensic tools to avoid
introducing malware or corrupting evidence.

By systematically collecting volatile information, investigators can gain a snapshot of


the system’s state at the time of the investigation, providing critical context for further
forensic analysis.

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