Introduction: What is Digital Forensics?
Digital Forensics is the process of:
● Identifying
● Preserving
● Analyzing, and
● Presenting
Digital evidence in investigations involving cybercrime, fraud, data breaches, or
unauthorized access. It helps law enforcement, businesses, and security
professionals uncover malicious activities, track cybercriminals, and protect sensitive
data.
Key Aspects of Digital Forensics
● Computer Forensics: Examining devices like computers, hard drives, and storage
media for evidence.
● Network Forensics: Investigating network traffic to detect security breaches and
cyberattacks.
● Memory Forensics: Analyzing system memory to uncover live-running processes
and threats.
● Malware Analysis: Understanding malicious software behavior to develop security
countermeasures.
● Forensic Tools & Techniques: Using specialized software like EnCase, FTK, and
Sleuth Kit for evidence collection and analysis.
Why Digital Forensics Matters
1. Cybercrime Investigation: Helps trace cybercriminals and their activities.
2. Evidence Authenticity & Integrity: Ensures digital evidence is accurate and
unaltered.
3. Security Enhancement: Helps identify weaknesses and improve system defenses.
4. Hidden Data Discovery: Uncovers concealed or deleted information.
5. Financial & Reputational Protection: Reduces the financial and reputational
damage from cyberattacks.
Key Challenges in Cybercrime Investigations
1. Anonymity & Attribution Issues
2. Jurisdiction & Legal Complexities
3. Volatility of Digital Evidence
4. Advanced Encryption & Hidden Data
5. AI-Powered Cybercrime Evolution
6. Emerging Threats in Cryptocurrency Fraud
7. Shortage of Cybersecurity Experts
8. Resource Constraints & Costly Tools
Affordable Solutions for Points 7 & 8
● Skill Development for Beginners and Experts
● Affordable Training
● Hands-On Experience
● Community Collaboration
● Continuous Learning
The Biggest Reasons to Use Web Platforms
1. Accessibility of Current Study Materials
2. Affordable Cybersecurity Packages
3. Networking and Certification Profiles
Case Study: Bangladesh Bank Heist – A Cybercrime Landmark
● Amount Attempted to Be Stolen: $81 million
● Nation-State Attack: Linked to Lazarus Group (North Korean hackers)
● SWIFT System Exploitation: Hackers manipulated the global banking network
● Legal & Jurisdiction Challenges: Cross-border complexities in investigation
How the Hackers Gained Access (Bangladesh Bank Heist)
1. Compromised Network: Attackers infiltrated internal systems months before the
heist.
2. Malware Deployment: Sophisticated malware planted to manipulate SWIFT
transactions.
3. Credential Theft: Hackers stole login credentials of banking officials.
4. Delayed Detection: Attack went unnoticed due to silent monitoring for weeks.
Exploiting the SWIFT System (Bangladesh Bank Heist)
1. Unauthorized SWIFT Transactions: Hackers issued fake payment orders.
2. Funds Routed Globally: Money sent to multiple bank accounts in the Philippines &
Sri Lanka.
3. Disguised Transfers: Transactions disguised as legitimate remittances.
4. Timing Manipulation: Attack carried out on a Friday to delay response due to
weekend closures.
Erasing Digital Evidence (Bangladesh Bank Heist)
1. Log Tampering: Attackers deleted transaction logs to cover tracks.
2. Advanced Encryption: Used to evade forensic detection.
3. Fake Printer Malfunction: Disabled transaction printers to prevent alerts.
4. Delayed Response: By the time red flags were raised, funds were laundered.
Lessons Learned from Bangladesh Bank Heist
1. AI-Powered Threat Detection: Automating early detection to prevent cybercrime.
2. Strengthening SWIFT Security: Multi-factor authentication & continuous monitoring.
3. Forensic Intelligence & Log Preservation: Enhancing evidence tracking & secure
communication.
4. Global Cybercrime Cooperation: Faster international response & unified legal
frameworks.
5. Continuous Learning & Ethical Hacking Training: Ongoing education for
cybersecurity professionals.
Essential Digital Forensic Techniques
● Memory Forensics: Analyzing volatile memory to uncover running processes and
data.
● Network Forensics: Investigating network traffic to identify malicious activities and
breaches.
● Malware Reverse Engineering: Dissecting malware to understand its behavior and
origin.
● Log File Analysis: Examining logs to trace user activities and detect anomalies.
● Forensic Tools: Tools like EnCase, FTK, and Sleuth Kit are essential for conducting
thorough investigations.
Memory Forensics – Steps to Investigate
1. Capture Memory Dump: Use tools like Volatility & Rekall.
2. Analyze Running Processes: Identify suspicious applications and malware.
3. Extract Network Connections: Detect unauthorized remote access.
4. Recover Hidden Artifacts: Search for encryption keys, hidden files, and credentials.
Network Forensics – Steps to Investigate
1. Capture Network Traffic: Use Wireshark or TCPDump.
2. Analyze Suspicious IPs & Protocols: Detect phishing attempts, DDoS attacks.
3. Inspect Encrypted Communication: Identify SSL/TLS abuse.
4. Cross-Check Firewall & IDS Logs: Detect unauthorized access.
Malware Reverse Engineering – Steps to Investigate
1. Static Analysis: Examine malware binaries without execution.
2. Dynamic Analysis: Run malware in a sandbox environment.
3. Disassemble & Debug: Analyze source code & executable behavior.
4. Trace Persistence Mechanisms: Identify registry modifications & startup injections.
Log File Analysis – Steps to Investigate
1. Extract Authentication Logs: Identify unauthorized login attempts.
2. Analyze System Logs: Detect anomalies & misconfigurations.
3. Correlate Network & Server Logs: Trace suspicious activities across endpoints.
4. Detect Log Tampering: Identify deleted or altered entries.
Forensic Tools – Summary of Steps to Investigate
1. Disk Imaging with EnCase & FTK: Capture forensic copies of digital evidence.
2. Memory Analysis with Volatility: Extract live system memory data.
3. Network Forensics with Wireshark: Analyze packets & network traffic.
4. Log Analysis with SIEM Tools: Detect anomalies in security logs.
How Cybersecurity Professionals Assist Cybercrime Lawyers
Cybersecurity professionals play a vital role in legal cases by:
● Providing expert testimony on digital evidence.
● Assisting with the authentication of digital evidence.
● Ensuring the chain of custody for forensic evidence to maintain its integrity.
Preparing for Cybersecurity Career Paths in Digital Forensics
Various career paths include:
● Cyber Forensic Analyst: Investigates cyber incidents and analyzes evidence.
● Incident Responder: Responds to security breaches and mitigates threats.
● Threat Intelligence Analyst: Gathers and analyzes information on potential threats.
Preparation Tips:
● Search for Digital Forensic Learning / Certification Path.
● Pursue relevant certifications (e.g., CEH, CCFP).
● Gain hands-on experience through internships and labs.
● Stay updated on the latest trends and technologies in cybersecurity.
