Windows Forensics Analyst Field Guide: Engage in proactive cyber defense using digital forensics techniques

Build your expertise in Windows incident analysis by mastering artifacts and techniques for efficient cybercrime investigation with this comprehensive guide

Key Features

• Gain hands-on experience with reputable and reliable tools such as KAPE and FTK Imager
• Explore artifacts and techniques for successful cybercrime investigation in Microsoft Teams, email, and memory forensics
• Understand advanced browser forensics by investigating Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and IE intricacies

Book Description

In this digitally driven era, safeguarding against relentless cyber threats is non-negotiable. This guide will enable you to enhance your skills as a digital forensic examiner by introducing you to cyber challenges that besiege modern entities. It will help you to understand the indispensable role adept digital forensic experts play in preventing these threats and equip you with proactive tools to defend against ever-evolving cyber onslaughts.

The book begins by unveiling the intricacies of Windows operating systems and their foundational forensic artifacts, helping you master the art of streamlined investigative processes. From harnessing opensource tools for artifact collection to delving into advanced analysis, you'll develop the skills needed to excel as a seasoned forensic examiner. As you advance, you'll be able to effortlessly amass and dissect evidence to pinpoint the crux of issues. You'll also delve into memory forensics tailored for Windows OS, decipher patterns within user data, and log and untangle intricate artifacts such as emails and browser data.

By the end of this book, you'll be able to robustly counter computer intrusions and breaches, untangle digital complexities with unwavering assurance, and stride confidently in the realm of digital forensics.

What you will learn

• Master the step-by-step investigation of efficient evidence analysis
• Explore Windows artifacts and leverage them to gain crucial insights
• Acquire evidence using specialized tools such as FTK Imager to maximize retrieval
• Gain a clear understanding of Windows memory forensics to extract key insights
• Experience the benefits of registry keys and registry tools in user profiling by analyzing Windows registry hives
• Decode artifacts such as emails, applications execution, and Windows browsers for pivotal insights

Who this book is for

This book is for forensic investigators with basic experience in the field, cybersecurity professionals, SOC analysts, DFIR analysts, and anyone interested in gaining deeper knowledge of Windows forensics. It's also a valuable resource for students and beginners in the field of IT who're thinking of pursuing a career in digital forensics and incident response.

Table of Contents

1. Introducing the Windows OS and Filesystems and Getting Prepared for the Labs
2. Evidence Acquisition
3. Memory Forensics for the Windows OS
4. The Windows Registry
5. User Profiling Using the Windows Registry
6. Application Execution Artifacts
7. Forensic Analysis of USB Artifacts
8. Forensic Analysis of Browser Artifacts
9. Exploring Additional Artifacts