For those who have experience using flasher boxes, in depth experience, can you recommend, based on your experience and success rate the BEST OVER ALL flasher box. The whole idea of using a flasher box is new to me, but after reading several internet articles and a few forums on Forensic Focus; I believe it's the future of mobile forensics. I've seen a variable amount of mobile devices come through, so depicting a certain make and/or model to represent the most common make/model isn't possible at this time.
I hate to disappoint, and I know this could be a banal answer, but it it very true that a best overall box does not exist, at least in my experience. Their capabilities vary a lot, so does the software. Some are better for some brands (Nokia, Motorola, chinese brands…), some for others. IMO you's need al least three or four products.
I agree they are very interesting tools, not to mention you can buy a bunch with a small fraction of the money XRY or UFED cost 😉
… very true that a best overall box does not exist, at least in my experience. Their capabilities vary a lot, so does the software.
Thank You Alex17, I know each box is limited, as is the software. From your experience, what are your 3 top recommendations? roll
Thank You Alex17, I know each box is limited, as is the software. From your experience, what are your 3 top recommendations? roll
Caveat I don't know anything about CDMA phones, being in Europe I never had occasion to work on those, so what I say is GSM-biased.
That said, I think UFS/HWK should surely be included (one of its incarnations…). I like Infinity box very much (incredible support for Chinese clones but also for Nokia and other brands). ATF can be included to. And a mention to JAF, which is no longer supported online but can be very useful still, at least as an interface to be used with others' software.
I've found the SHU Box has the widest coverage of handsets. It comprises both the UFS/HWK and SETools. It covers a very wide range of Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and many others.
There are many many others to choose from and everyone will have their own preference for various reasons. SHU Box UI's dont have the most intuitive interface (That accolade should maybe go to the NSPro) but, maybe it is a good thing as it will hopefully scare the less experienced practitioner away and save damage to evidence.
(as with alex17, being UK based I am also GSM biased)
I've found the SHU Box has the widest coverage …
There are many many others to choose from and everyone will have their own preference for various reasons.
Good suggestions! Point is, with flashers you must have/use more than one (or two..) tools. SHU box has the advantage of combining 3 boxes in one.
Here is the kit I have now, they all have their uses. Not all read the memory. Some just provide us with the passwords. I am in the middle of writing a white paper on Flasher Boxes that provide details on the installation; password recovery methods; acquisition of data; decoding of data; etc.. They are not for the novice to use, you can ruin your evidence by selecting the wrong option. I would suggest training before jumping into using them.
Here is my list
• SE Tools 3 - about 120.00 USD - covers off a lot of the Sony Ericsson phones and some LG devices
• NS Pro - about 160.00 USD - covers of a ton of Samsung phones
• Smart Moto Clip - handles Motorola product, great for getting pin user codes.
• JAF - runs about 200.00 USD - Nokia cell phones
• UFS/HWK Micro - 180.00 USD - Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and Motorola
• CDMA Workshop - you don't need the flasher box for this to work, just buy the software- 100.00 USD
• Octopus - 190.00 USD - this covers off a lot of LG phones
• VYGISTOOLBOX – about 200.00 USD, for more LG phones
• RockerDongle - about 140.00 USD, for Motorola phones
Best Buy For CDMA phones, CDMA Workshop/ For GSM, depends where you live and what phones you run into but the UFS/HWK is the most used.
What i suggest Buy as many as your budget will allow, they each have different options for different phones.
Detective Bob Elder
Computer and Mobile Phone Forensics Unit
Victoria Police Department
850 Caledonia Avenue
Victoria, BC, V8T 5J8
Phone 250-995-7654
Fax 250-995-7262
cop.geek @ gmail.com