In this assignment, you will be assessed on your knowledge of scientific methodologies surrounding digital forensics. By exploring the details of this article, you will be able to explain how methodologies are applied to an investigation. Imagine you are a criminal investigator on a digital forensic case. You are asked by the task force to report on the scientific methodologies used to solve the case.

Read the article on Advances in Digital Forensics from the University Library and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) case study on the Emotet malware case.

Write a 1,200- to 1,400-word report to the attorney general’s task force detailing the following:
-Explain how digital forensics may differ compared to traditional forensic science.
-Explain the processes digital forensics investigations follow and the phases that are involved.
-Assess the scientific methods used for the Emotet malware case.
-Provide the challenges of the scientific method applied on the Emotet malware case.
-Describe your own scientific method you would apply to the Emotet malware case.
-Provide your rationale.

 

Sample Solution

Report to the Attorney General’s Task Force:
Digital forensics is an advancement in the traditional forensic science that applies computer-based technologies to investigate and analyze digital evidence collected from computers or other digital devices. Digital forensics differs from traditional forensic science in its ability to detect, recover, and present digital data for use as evidence in criminal investigations. Traditional forensic sciences work on physical crime scenes, such as analyzing blood spatter patterns or fingerprints, while digital forensics works on virtual crime scenes composed of electronic devices such as laptops, smartphones, and servers.

Sample Solution

Report to the Attorney General’s Task Force:
Digital forensics is an advancement in the traditional forensic science that applies computer-based technologies to investigate and analyze digital evidence collected from computers or other digital devices. Digital forensics differs from traditional forensic science in its ability to detect, recover, and present digital data for use as evidence in criminal investigations. Traditional forensic sciences work on physical crime scenes, such as analyzing blood spatter patterns or fingerprints, while digital forensics works on virtual crime scenes composed of electronic devices such as laptops, smartphones, and servers.

The processes followed by a digital forensics investigation typically involve five phases: identification of the target device; acquisition; analysis; reporting; and monitoring/preservation. It begins with identifying the target device which could be a computer or any other form of storage media that contain information about a suspect’s activities. The next phase is acquiring the data from this device using various methods such as imaging, cloning or hashing. Once acquired, it can then be analyzed so that investigators are able to identify relevant evidence related to the case being investigated. This includes extracting files from this acquired data and running searches for keywords or phrases associated with criminal activity etc., before attempting to decrypt them if necessary via password cracking techniques etc..

In regards to assessing the scientific method used for Emotet malware case study conducted by FBI agents working alongside international law enforcement agencies – one major approach was signature based detection which involves having up-to-date malware database providing virus signatures (unique attributes) so that they may be used for comparison against malicious executable programs discovered during an investigation in order to determine their threat level accurately. Another approach was reverse engineering which involved running these identified malicious executables through automated tools designed specifically for this purpose so that their internal structure could be examined more closely ie., understanding how they operate & what functions they perform when executed on a system thereby allowing investigators gain some insight into how best tackle them usually via mitigation strategies like patching vulnerable systems etc.. Finally most recently behavioural analytics has come into play whereby large datasets containing suspicious activities across different machines being monitored constantly over time have been combined with machine learning algorithms capable of flagging any anomalies encountered within said dataset thus giving rise new opportunities for detecting previously unknown threats quickly & effectively due cyber security operations centres making use modern intelligence gathering techniques accordingly including searching log files regularly plus utilising sandboxes (controlled computing environments) when needed too etec…

Challenges faced included limited resources available amongst many international law enforcement agencies out there along with lack technical expertise necessary tackling this type sophisticated attack vector due its complexity plus added difficulty trying implicate specific individual(s) responsible behind it iot ensure proper prosecution take place against those found guilty eventually following thorough investigations being conducted thoroughly under high public scrutiny since expected accountability levels held especially high nowadays government contexts moreover compliance regulations need adhered all times further add challenge here hence why collaboration between national authorities highly desirable given situation at hand currently now days too… Furthermore significant amount effort expended collecting analysing large volume available data related case requires both human & technological capabilities needed managing process efficiently enable fruitful outcomes yielded timely fashion ie.: arriving correct conclusions based upon concrete evidence lead faster resolution desired outcome sought after conclusion put simply…

If tasked addressing same issue myself would apply similar scientific methodologies outlined above primarily involving signature based detection initially identify presence malicious executable programs targeted machine(s) part first step my investigative process thereafter proceed performing deeper analysis upon unencrypted content located said artifacts uncovering potential clues might indicate implications either particular parties persons maybe link wider network criminals operating together lay now attempt reconstruct entire chain events led up incident cause curiosity interested figuring out poses biggest threat foreseeable future soon possible course action taken once done requiring vast amounts labour devoted side developing tailored prevention strategies minimise likelihood repeat events occurring down line kept mind entire time naturally… Ultimately having documented every single detail throughout proceedings will help provide accurate overview project done documenting every last step taken example starting surveillance suspects ending actual prosecution undertaken each stage way assist greatly informing subsequent decisions taken moving forward staying organized key successful exercise must accomplished end day though take note!

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