Web Capture for Forensics (Part 1)

Until recently, capturing a web site for litigation was not common computer forensic practice, but the necessity of capturing and preserving this highly dynamic data has increased along with the overall technical complexity of today’s lawsuits. This has spurred an ever-rising demand for forensic evidence relating to suspicious data from the web.

By Karen Schuler and Brandon Swafford

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Cadets Trade the Trenches for Firewalls

Last month, a team of West Point cadets spent four days struggling around the clock to establish a computer network and keep it operating while hackers from the National Security Agency tried to infiltrate it. These cyberwar games are evidence of a heightened military awareness of the threat of computer attacks.

new york times

Funding Available To Reduce Online Child Exploitation

OJJDP invites applicants for its Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program Expansion: New York and Texas. The program is designed to maintain and expand state and regional ICAC task forces to address technology-facilitated child exploitation. Apply by June 2, 2009.

ojjdp

Air Traffic Control Systems Vulnerable to Cyber-Attacks

The Office of Inspector General has released a report on the review of Web application security and intrusion detection in Air Traffic Control systems. Government-contracted penetration testers have successfully hacked into several critical systems and identified over 200 high-risk vulnerabilities in Internet-facing Web applications used by the FAA.

softpedia

Tracking Cyberspies Through the Web Wilderness

For the cybersleuth, hunting evidence in the data tangle of the Internet, the problem is not finding evidence, but analyzing it. “The holy grail is how can you distinguish between information which is garbage and information which is valuable?” Rafal Rohozinski tells the New York Times.

new york times

Computer Forensics Fighting Recession-Era Data Thieves

One disquieting side effect of the current economy is the increase in insider data theft. IT security experts Espion recently looked at incidents where firms found that ex-employees had stolen intellectual property and client lists to set up competing products or services.

siliconrepublic.com

Police Followed Trail from Lothian to Boston

The convictions of the men involved in one of Scotland's largest uncovered pedophile rings mark the end of an investigation that took officers on a trail from Lothian to Boston. The officers running Operation Algebra sought the help of electronics experts from the FBI's elite cyber crime squad to untangle a web of deviants who used internet alter egos to hide their crimes.

the herald

Expert Needs Your Text Messages

John Olsson, 57, who lives in a secluded spot near Welshpool, Powys, is a world-leading expert in forensic linguistics. His expertise is called upon when the authorship of a text message is in question. Now, Mr Olsson is calling on people to send him text messages to help him study people’s “text-prints”.

walesonline.co.uk

Guardian Digital Forensics, Inc Partners with Decision Computer Group International

Larry Daniel, CEO of Guardian Digital Forensics, Inc. announced the formation of a strategic partnership with Decision Computer Group International. As part of the agreement, Guardian Digital Forensics and Decision Computer Group, Intl. will form Decision Computer Group, USA as a division of Guardian Digital Forensics.

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ForensicSoft Announces Forensically Sound Windows Bootable Environment

ForensicSoft announces the release of its newest computer forensic tool, SAFE—a new Windows-based computer forensic platform specifically designed to support the expanding needs of computer forensic, computer security, and litigation support professionals to confidently acquire, preview and analyze digital evidence to be presented in a court of law.

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Purdue Class Treats Hard Drive As Crime Scene

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a suspect's Web browser history, e-mails, chat logs, cell phone, and electronic documents could equal a conviction. This week, Purdue University is teaching a digital forensics course for law enforcement officers from around the state.

journal & courier

SIIA Honors Federal Agents with Annual Anti-Piracy Leadership Award

The Software & Information Industry Association celebrated the accomplishments of three federal agents, presenting each with its third annual Anti-Piracy Leadership Award. The honorees are Senior Special Agent Mike Godfrey, Senior Criminal Research Officer David Collins, and ICE Special Agent, JW King, all of whom work for the Department of Homeland Security.

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AMREL Demonstrates New Biometric Handheld

American Reliance, Inc. (AMREL) announces its new handheld biometric device. The HBS-2 is a rugged biometric device that's light enough to be a true handheld. Compatible with all EFT / EBT file types, it successfully captures and allows real-time matching of face, finger, and iris patterns. For critical details, the 1,000 dpi camera effectively records latent fingerprint and forensic debris.

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Boost National Cybersecurity without Stifling Freedom

America is so e-vulnerable in so many e-ways that security officials now say Washington has no other choice but to extend its national security efforts across the Internet. This makes sense at first glance; however, the "Cybersecurity Act of 2009" would advance a plethora of shady mandates that could impinge on America's freedom and actually put it at greater risk.

christian science monitor

“Spoofing” Caller ID Systems Create Evidentiary Hang-Ups in Some Cases

“Spoofing” allows a caller to manipulate what number shows up on a caller ID screen. Evidence of the practice of spoofing recently convinced Hennepin County District Court Judge Janet Poston to find for a defendant charged with violating his probation. Finding that the state had not met its burden of showing that the message had in fact come from the defendant, she declined to revoke probation.

minnesota lawyer

Researchers Find Missile Defense Data On Used Hard Drive

For the fourth straight year, researchers at the University of Glamorgan in Scotland have turned up surprisingly sensitive data—including details of test-launch procedures for a U.S. defense missile—by buying secondhand PCs. The researchers found personal or sensitive data on 34 percent of 300 hard disks bought randomly at computer fairs and online auctions.

security dark reading

How-To: Keep Your Files Secure

Looking to beat file encryption and find that elusive piece of digital evidence? You need to think like the bad guy. Read this tutorial on hiding and encrypting data.

gadgetpaper.com