What is Network Forensics? Last Updated : 22 Aug, 2024 Comments Improve Suggest changes Like Article Like Report Network forensics is about looking at how computers talk to each other. It helps us understand what happens in a company's computer systems. This is important when we need to find out if someone did something wrong using computers. To do network forensics well, we need to follow certain steps and use special tools. These tools help us see and understand the information that moves between computers.We'll talk about the steps to do network forensics and the tools we can use. We'll also explain how network forensics is different from looking at just one computer, and why both are needed to solve computer crimes. What is Network Forensics?Network forensics looks at how computers talk to each other on networks. It checks the information that moves between computers. This helps find out if someone did something bad using computers. Network forensics looks at network traffic, logs, and other data about network use. It helps solve computer crimes, network problems, and data theft. The main job of network forensics is to find and keep digital proof that can be used in court. By looking at network records, people who solve computer crimes can piece together what happened. They can see how people talk and when things happen. This helps them understand crimes or strange events better. When looking at the records, they check for signs of people talking, if files were changed, if certain words were used, and other clues that something bad might have happened.Network Forensics Examination StepsIdentificationFirst, decide what you need to look at. This helps you know what information to collect and what tools to use. This step is very important for the whole process.PreservationNext, keep the evidence safe. Make copies of important data and store them securely. Collect data in a way that keeps it unchanged. Use tools like Autopsy or Encase to keep the evidence safe.CollectionNow, gather the data. You can do this by hand or with special tools. It's often best to use both ways. By hand, you look at each file. With tools, you use software to check network traffic and get data.ExaminationLook closely at the collected data. Check for unusual things that might show a security problem. Look at the data and its details. Check for signs that something bad happened, like strange IP addresses or file names.AnalysisUse the information from network traffic to figure out what happened. Use special software to watch network activity. These tools also look at records to spot problems.PresentationShare what you found. Write a report or give a talk. Include all important information, like proof of someone breaking in or doing bad things. Suggest ways to make things safer. Be ready to answer questions.Incident ResponseUse what you learned to deal with the problem. Try to limit damage, find the main cause, and fix it. Take steps to stop it from happening again. The plan should try to keep the system running, save data, and protect the organization.Types of Tools AvailableThere are many tools for looking at network evidence. These tools get information from different parts of the network, like routers and servers. Here are some types -1. Packet capture tools: These catch and save network data to look at later. They show what's moving on the network. Examples are Wireshark, TCPDump, and Arkime. These tools let you see the content of network messages.2. Full-packet capture tools: These save all the data that goes through a network. They don't miss anything. NetWitness Investigator and RSA NetWitness Platform are examples. They're good for deep checking of network traffic.3. Log analysis tools: These help look at records from network devices. Splunk, ELK Stack, and Graylog are examples. They can find patterns in lots of records quickly.4. NetFlow analysis tools: These look at network traffic patterns. They can spot unusual things. SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer and ManageEngine NetFlow Analyzer are examples. They're useful for seeing how the network is used.5. SIEM tools: These show all the records from different network devices in one place. Splunk Enterprise Security and IBM QRadar are examples. They help spot problems across the whole network.6. Digital forensics platforms: These do everything from getting data to making reports. RSA NetWitness Platform and Splunk Enterprise Security are examples. They're all-in-one tools for network checking.7. Intrusion detection system tools: These watch for bad things on the network and warn about them. Snort and Suricata are examples. They help stop attacks before they cause problems.ConclusionNetwork forensics examines computer communications to solve digital crimes. It uses special tools to analyze network data. By following specific steps and using these tools, investigators can uncover what happened on a network during a security incident. This helps protect computer systems and solve cyber crimes in our increasingly digital world. Comment More infoAdvertise with us Next Article Computer Forensics Techniques K kmbh Follow Improve Article Tags : Computer Networks Geeks Premier League Geeks-Premier-League-2022 Cyber-security Similar Reads Cyber Security Tutorial Cyber security is the process of using best practices to protect computers, servers, systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks such as viruses, worms, ransomware, and other threats aimed at accessing, changing, or destroying sensitive data, extorting money from users, or interrupting norm 11 min read IntroductionOSI Security ArchitectureThe OSI Security Architecture is internationally recognized and provides a standardized technique for deploying security measures within an organization. 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