Digital DNA: A Look Inside the FBI’s Computer Crime Lab

Buffalo is home to one of the FBI’s 14 Regional Computer Forensics Labs, or RCFLs. It’s here local, state and federal examiners team up to break down computers, cell phones, and iPods in search of evidence from a crime. Just

Tougher penalties for cyberterrorists

Officials at the United Arab Emirates information security conference are calling for tougher penalties against cyberterrorism and for better forensics…Kevin Mansell, managing director of the British-based digital forensics training and consultancy firm Control-F, urged UAE officials to utilize mobile-phone forensics

Computer Forensic ‘Expert’ Witnesses, Who is Representing You?

Computer forensic experts deal with some of the most grave and serious of criminal cases that involve digital evidence. However it may be surprising to hear that currently there is no regulatory body to ensure the quality of their work,

The computer detectives

Damon Hacker knows better than anyone else the kind of electronic fingerprints we leave behind on a daily basis. Did you use a computer today? A cell phone? A Blackberry? Swipe a card to enter your workplace? Drive a car?

Data Recovery Planning Being Neglected

According to a new survey by Kroll Ontrack, many companies are neglecting data recovery when formulating their compliance policies and opening themselves up to unnecessary risk. In an e-mail survey of 100 users, the company found that despite 78 percent

Computer forensics in the age of compliance

Digital forensics is the process of using the scientific method to examine digital media in order to establish facts for legal purposes, especially judicial review. It involves the systematic inspection of IT systems, especially data-storage devices, for evidence of a

Digital Docs Raise Compliance Issues

Many tools exist that can help companies manage electronic documents in compliance with court rules…Several technologies, such as e-mail archiving software, can help reduce risk and manage costs associated with e-discovery rules…Another technology that won some support was automated computer

Police deny negligence in CP case

The Chief of Halifax Regional Police and two officers are denying they were negligent in the investigation of a man who was first convicted, and then acquitted, of possessing CP. The defence was filed in Nova Scotia Supreme court on

First Use of RIPA to Demand Encryption Keys in UK

An animal rights activist has been ordered to hand over her encryption keys to the authorities. Section Three of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) came into force at the start in October 2007, seven years after the original

Colossus cracks codes once more

For the first time in more than 60 years a Colossus computer will be cracking codes at Bletchley Park. The Colossus machine will be pitted against modern computer technology that will also be used to decipher and read transmitted messages.

Needle in a haystack

Image-Seeker is a software product for searching and retrieving visual assets when the volume of files is simply too large for an unaided human to handle. To start with, we wanted to simulate how a forensics investigator would use this

Examining Hard Drives During Discovery (US legal issues)

Over-stuffed file cabinets that hold business records and personal information have been replaced by compact computer hard drives that offer easy and convenient storage of and access to a variety of items, including correspondence, forms, memos, photos, account information and

Microsoft steps up work with police

Microsoft has been stepping up its co-operation with law enforcement communities worldwide in an effort to combat electronic crime. The company is to begin working with officers from Europol in the next few weeks and is already training officers at

Plea deal in US ‘spybot’ computer crime case

A hacker from a “botnet underground” group that infected nearly a quarter-million computers with spy software is pleading guilty to criminal charges, US prosecutors said Friday… More (AFP)