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Bits-and-Bytes-in-Digital-Forensics

The document discusses the fundamental concepts of bits and bytes in digital forensics, including file carving and various numbering schemes like binary and hexadecimal. It highlights the importance of file signatures over file extensions for accurate file identification and recovery, as well as the distinctions between storage and memory in forensic analysis. Additionally, it outlines the forensic tools used for file signature analysis and the significance of both persistent and volatile data in digital investigations.

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Aljean Sinohin
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5 views

Bits-and-Bytes-in-Digital-Forensics

The document discusses the fundamental concepts of bits and bytes in digital forensics, including file carving and various numbering schemes like binary and hexadecimal. It highlights the importance of file signatures over file extensions for accurate file identification and recovery, as well as the distinctions between storage and memory in forensic analysis. Additionally, it outlines the forensic tools used for file signature analysis and the significance of both persistent and volatile data in digital investigations.

Uploaded by

Aljean Sinohin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Bits and Bytes in Digital

Forensics
•Bit (Binary Digit): The smallest unit of data in computing, represented as 0
or 1.
•Byte (8 Bits): A fundamental unit of storage in digital systems, typically
representing a single character.
•Hexadecimal Representation: Often used in forensics tools to display
data in a more readable format (e.g., 1 byte = two hexadecimal digits, such
as 0x4F).
•File Carving: Forensic analysts recover deleted or fragmented files by
analyzing raw bit and byte patterns.
Numbering Schemes used in
Digital Forensics
•Binary (Base-2): Used at the lowest level of digital storage (e.g.,
10110110).
•Hexadecimal (Base-16): Commonly used in forensic tools for memory
dumps, file headers, and hash values (e.g., FF D8 FF for a JPEG file
header).
•Decimal (Base-10): Used in human-readable formats (e.g., timestamps in
logs).
•Octal (Base-8): Less commonly used but appears in Unix file permissions.
Application in Digital Forensics
•File Signature Analysis: Identifying files by their magic numbers (e.g.,
PNG starts with 89 50 4E 47).
•Disk Forensics: Examining raw sectors on a storage device (e.g.,
MBR stored at sector 0).
•Memory Forensics: Analyzing RAM dumps where data is stored in
binary/hex formats.
•Hashing (MD5, SHA-256): Digital evidence integrity is verified using
hash values, which are hexadecimal representations of data fingerprints.
File Extensions vs. File Signatures in
Digital Forensics
In Digital Forensics, identifying files accurately is crucial for detecting tampered
evidence, recovering lost data, and analyzing suspicious files. Two primary methods
are used:
1. File Extensions (User-Defined)
•The part of a filename after the last dot (.), indicating file type (e.g., .jpg, .exe, .txt).
•Limitations:
•Can be easily changed or removed to disguise a file’s true nature.
•Not always reliable for forensic analysis.
🔹 Example:
A malware file malicious.pdf.exe may appear as a PDF, but it’s actually an
executable (.exe) file.
File Extensions vs. File Signatures in
Digital Forensics
2. File Signatures (Magic Numbers) (System-Defined)
•Unique byte sequences at the beginning of a file, used to verify its true format.
•Found in the file header and not affected by renaming.
•Forensic tools scan these magic numbers to correctly identify file types.
🔹 Example File Signatures:

File Signature ASCII


File Type Extension
(Hex) Representation
FF D8 FF E0 or FF
JPEG Image .jpg ÿØÿà
D8 FF E1
89 50 4E 47 0D 0A
PNG Image .png .PNG....
1A 0A
PDF Document .pdf 25 50 44 46 %PDF
ZIP Archive .zip 50 4B 03 04 PK..
Executable
.exe 4D 5A MZ
Importance in Digital Forensics
•Detecting File Spoofing: Attackers rename .exe files as .jpg to trick users; forensic
tools detect the real file format.
•Recovering Deleted Files: File signatures help identify orphaned data without
extensions.
•Detecting Hidden Malware: Malware often disguises itself with fake extensions but
retains its original signature.
Importance in Digital Forensics
Forensic Tools for File Signature Analysis
•FTK Imager (Hex Viewer)
•Hex Editors (HxD, WinHex)
•Linux file Command (file suspicious_file.bin)
•TrID (Identifies file types based on signatures)
Storage vs. Memory in Digital Forensics

In Digital Forensics, understanding storage and memory is essential when

collecting, analyzing, and preserving digital evidence. Both play different roles in

how data is processed, stored, and retrieved.


Storage vs. Memory in Digital Forensics

1. Storage (Persistent Data)


🔹 Definition:
Storage refers to non-volatile data that remains even when a
device is powered off. It is used for long-term data retention.
🔹 Examples:
•Hard Disk Drives (HDD)
•Solid-State Drives (SSD)
•USB Flash Drives
•Memory Cards (SD, microSD)
•Cloud Storage
•Optical Discs (CD/DVD)
Storage vs. Memory in Digital Forensics

🔹 Forensic Importance:
•File Recovery: Investigating deleted files, hidden partitions, and encrypted data.
•Metadata Extraction: File timestamps, user activities, and logs.
•Disk Imaging: Creating forensic copies of storage devices for analysis (dd, FTK
Imager).
•Steganography Detection: Hidden data within images, videos, or documents.
Storage vs. Memory in Digital Forensics
2. Memory (Volatile Data)
🔹 Definition:
Memory (RAM) is volatile and stores temporary data actively
used by the system. It is erased when the device is powered off.
🔹 Types of Memory:
•RAM (Random Access Memory): Stores running processes,
cached files, and volatile system data.
•Virtual Memory (Swap/Page File): Stores temporary data when
RAM is full.
•Cache Memory: High-speed storage for frequently used
instructions (CPU cache, browser cache).
Storage vs. Memory in Digital Forensics
🔹 Forensic Importance:
•Live RAM Analysis: Extracting passwords, running processes, network
connections, and malware.
•Memory Dumps: Tools like Volatility and DumpIt analyze system memory.
•Password Recovery: Finding encryption keys and credentials stored in RAM.
•Malware Analysis: Detecting hidden malware that runs only in memory (fileless
attacks).
Storage vs. Memory in Digital Forensics

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