I've done considerable tracking of IP addresses via a variety of means. In one case, about seven years ago, we tracked an IP to Kinkos and one to a local library. By calling Kinko's and the county, respectively, we were able to narrow that down to the exact system.
It's not always possible to do this. Also, in what I've seen so far (and I haven't dug into it) when someone posts to a MySpace page, you won't necessarily find any evidence (IP address, etc.) on the "victim" system…that will most likely be maintained on the server.
Good luck, though, dabiz…there are other ways to track this kind of thing.
thanks for the responses…i just didnt know if i should trust the examiner who says he can do this but then when i talk to a forensics person in the FBI he says it cannot be done without a subpoena to myspace or facebook? what are the other ways you are talking about?
Dabiz,
"Other ways" is a general, oblique reference to "…I haven't seen the exact data, so I can't rule out other methods based on what may or may not be there as evidence…"
To track someone via their MySpace posts, I'd suggest that you'd need to draw them out somehow…have someone who is capable and experienced "befriend" them, get to know them, and draw them out. If they can move the communications method to another forum, one that does leave behind traces (such as direct email communications), them maybe you could track them down.
Another method would be to report the activity to MySpace…keep doing so and with enough info, they may contact the user, or just delete the account they're using.
For other advice, look to "cyberbullying" web sites.
Dabiz,
Just to add to what the members have said thus far; there are other ways such a getting the person to send an email (which may if read using OUTLOOK, etc) may reveal the IP address, but also once you have the IP addr - what then? How do you determine the name of the actual person? There are other tools & strategies avail as keydet has pointed out including using certain services such as readnotify.com - for document tracking (IP identification), also things such as webtracer. Is your sister co-operating with you on this, or just something yoru family want lloking into? Cause if she is; there are many ways you can get ahead & even get the person's mobile number, etc, etc. Good luck.
my mom actually took my sis's computer to a computer examiner, that is why i started the questioning, he says he can do this and track directly to the source…i just have a hard time believing him without having a subpoena or anything?
Just one comment, there is never any certainty or guarntee about computer forensics. We can't create something that isn't there.
my mom actually took my sis's computer to a computer examiner, that is why i started the questioning, he says he can do this and track directly to the source…i just have a hard time believing him without having a subpoena or anything?
In the event that you know the IP address, ISP, and even the person who pays the bill for that service there are still questions left to be answered.
Just because you know who pays for the service it doesn't mean that they sent the messages. It could be the kid next door that is connected to their wireless network. There are probably 4-5 machines behind the router w/ the public ip addr. in question. How are you going to prove which machine and even which person was sitting at the machine at that time?
I hope for your parent's sake that they are having someone legitimate look at the machine and not getting taken for a large amount of money w/ bad results.
i really question if hes legit…he has had the computer for a week and a half now and hasnt come up with anything? the guy works for cherry systems
You can only take a mold if Darth Vader has received instructions from the emperor that it is allowed.
That is VERY surprising! Cherry Systems in Marietta, GA is a top-notch clean room. . . but they do not (to my knowledge) conduct CF work. I have used them and have referred many people to them for their reconstruction of hard drives and we are all very pleased with the results. If this matter lies outside of the judicial process no standard company can determine where the messages came from.
Just curious, does the person you are dealing with work at Cherry Systems and they are doing this on the side or is your mom actually dealing with the company. If they've had it over a week get ready for $$$$$$. They charge around $8K for a RAID-1 recovery so CF work would be probably pricey.
That is VERY surprising! Cherry Systems in Marietta, GA is a top-notch clean room. . . but they do not (to my knowledge) conduct CF work. I have used them and have referred many people to them for their reconstruction of hard drives and we are all very pleased with the results. If this matter lies outside of the judicial process no standard company can determine where the messages came from.
Just curious, does the person you are dealing with work at Cherry Systems and they are doing this on the side or is your mom actually dealing with the company. If they've had it over a week get ready for $$$$$$. They charge around $8K for a RAID-1 recovery so CF work would be probably pricey.
she went thru the company…he works for them and said he could figure it out and nothin has come out yet? he charged $1000 and said that would be it? does that sound right? what do you mean lies outside the judicial process? thanks for all your comments guys i really appreciate it!