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File System Forensic Analysis

Be a smart learner ready to master file system forensic analysis and level up their skills with an interactive course.

(FILE-SYS-FORENSIC.AP1) / ISBN : 978-1-64459-714-9
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About This Course

Enroll in our file system forensic analysis course to master the techniques needed to uncover hidden evidence, recover deleted data, and validate forensic evidence.

In this course, dive into hard disk acquisition, partition analysis, and file system structures from FAT and NTFS to Ext2/Ext3 and UFS. Learn how to use powerful open-source tools like the Sleuth Kit and Autopsy Forensic Browser to investigate real-world cases. 

Skills You’ll Get

  • Analyzing File Systems: Master the structures of FAT, NTFS, Ext2/Ext3, and UFS to locate hidden or deleted evidence.
  • Disk Acquisition & Preservation: Learn proper techniques for duplicating and handling digital evidence without corruption.
  • Partition & Volume Analysis: Decode DOS, Apple, GPT, and RAID configurations to uncover critical data.
  • Data Recovery & Metadata Examination: Recover deleted files and analyze timestamps, permissions, and file attributes.
  • Using Forensic Tools: Gain hands-on experience with The Sleuth Kit (TSK) and Autopsy Forensic Browser for investigations.
  • Validating Forensic Findings: Develop methods to verify tool accuracy and ensure evidence integrity for legal cases.
Download Course Outline

1

Introduction

  • Roadmap
  • Scope of Course
2

Digital Investigation Foundations

  • Digital Investigations and Evidence
  • Digital Crime Scene Investigation Process
  • Data Analysis
  • Overview of Toolkits
  • Summary
3

Computer Foundations

  • Data Organization
  • Booting Process
  • Hard Disk Technology
  • Summary
4

Hard Disk Data Acquisition

  • Introduction
  • Reading the Source Data
  • Writing the Output Data
  • A Case Study Using dd
  • Summary
5

Volume Analysis

  • Introduction
  • Background
  • Analysis Basics
  • Summary
6

PC-based Partitions

  • DOS Partitions
  • Apple Partitions
  • Removable Media
7

Server-based Partitions

  • BSD Partitions
  • Sun Solaris Slices
  • GPT Partitions
  • Summary
8

Multiple Disk Volumes

  • RAID
  • Disk Spanning
9

File System Analysis

  • What Is a File System?
  • File System Category
  • Content Category
  • Metadata Category
  • File Name Category
  • Application Category
  • Application-level Search Techniques
  • Specific File Systems
  • Summary
10

FAT Concepts and Analysis

  • Introduction
  • File System Category
  • Content Category
  • Metadata Category
  • File Name Category
  • The Big Picture
  • Other Topics
  • Summary
11

FAT Data Structures

  • Boot Sector
  • FAT32 FSINFO
  • FAT
  • Directory Entries
  • Long File Name Directory Entries
  • Summary
12

NTFS Concepts

  • Introduction
  • Everything is a File
  • MFT Concepts
  • MFT Entry Attribute Concepts
  • Other Attribute Concepts
  • Indexes
  • Analysis Tools
  • Summary
13

NTFS Analysis

  • File System Category
  • Content Category
  • Metadata Category
  • File Name Category
  • Application Category
  • The Big Picture
  • Other Topics
  • Summary
14

NTFS Data Structures

  • Basic Concepts
  • Standard File Attributes
  • Index Attributes and Data Structures
  • File System Metadata Files
  • Summary
  • Bibliography
15

Ext2 and Ext3 Concepts and Analysis

  • Introduction
  • File System Category
  • Content Category
  • Metadata Category
  • File Name Category
  • Application Category
  • The Big Picture
  • Other Topics
  • Summary
16

Ext2 and Ext3 Data Structures

  • Superblock
  • Group Descriptor Tables
  • Block Bitmap
  • Inodes
  • Extended Attributes
  • Directory Entry
  • Symbolic Link
  • Hash Trees
  • Journal Data Structures
  • Summary
17

UFS1 and UFS2 Concepts and Analysis

  • Introduction
  • File System Category
  • Content Category
  • Metadata Category
  • File Name Category
  • The Big Picture
  • Other Topics
  • Summary
  • Bibliography
18

UFS1 and UFS2 Data Structures

  • UFS1 Superblock
  • UFS2 Superblock
  • Cylinder Group Summary
  • UFS1 Group Descriptor
  • UFS2 Group Descriptor
  • Block and Fragment Bitmaps
  • UFS1 Inodes
  • UFS2 Inodes
  • UFS2 Extended Attributes
  • Directory Entries
  • Summary
  • Bibliography
A

Appendix A: The Sleuth Kit and Autopsy

  • The Sleuth Kit
  • Autopsy

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File system forensic analysis involves examining digital storage structures (e.g., NTFS, FAT, Ext4) to recover evidence like deleted files, hidden data, and metadata (timestamps, permissions). 

It uses tools like The Sleuth Kit (TSK) and Autopsy to analyze partitions, RAID configurations, and file systems for legal or investigative purposes. Key tasks include:

  • Recovering overwritten data from slack space or unallocated clusters.
  • Validating tool accuracy to ensure evidence integrity.

Some of the forensic analysis methods include:

  • Disk Acquisition: Creating bit-by-bit copies of storage media using write-blockers to prevent tampering.
  • File System Analysis: Examining file structures (e.g., $MFT in NTFS) to trace file movements and timestamps.
  • Network Forensics: Analyzing traffic logs for breaches or malware communications.
  • Memory Forensics: Extracting volatile data (e.g., running processes) from RAM.

  • Education: A bachelor’s degree in computer science, cybersecurity, or digital forensics is typical. Advanced roles may require a master’s.
  • Certifications: GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst (GCFA), EnCase Certified Examiner (EnCE), or CompTIA Security+ for foundational knowledge.
  • Skills: Develop proficiency in tools like FTK, X-Ways, and scripting (Python/Bash) with our digital forensic training.

To secure digital forensic analyst jobs, follow the checklist below:

  • Earn a Degree: Focus on cybersecurity or computer science.
  • Gain Experience: Start in IT roles (e.g., network analyst) to build technical skills.
  • Get Certified: Pursue GCFA or CFCE to validate expertise.
  • Specialize: Choose niches like mobile forensics or malware analysis.
  • Stay Updated: Follow trends via organizations like SWGDE or HTCIA.

Learn to Find Hidden Digital Evidence

  Level up your cybersecurity skills while you dissect disks, trace timestamps, and crack cases in this hands-on file system forensic analysis course.

$199.99

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