Introduction to Cybercrime & Digital Forensics

Unit V: Cybercrime & Digital Forensics

Lecture 33: Digital Crime Investigation and Evidence Analysis

Course: Cyber Security (4353204) | Semester V | Diploma ICT | Author: Milav Dabgar

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Understanding Cybercrime

🕵️ What is Cybercrime?

Cybercrime refers to criminal activities that involve computers, networks, and digital technologies as either the target, tool, or venue for illegal activities.

📊 Cybercrime Statistics (2024)

Global cost: $10.5 trillion annually
Attack frequency: Every 11 seconds
Data breaches: 5.6 billion records exposed
Ransomware damage: $265 billion per year
Recovery time: 287 days average
Success rate: 95% of cyber attacks succeed initially

🎯 Cybercrime Categories

graph LR
    A[Financial Crimes] --> B[Banking Fraud]
    A --> C[Credit Card Fraud]
    D[Data Crimes] --> E[Identity Theft]
    D --> F[Data Breach]
    G[Infrastructure] --> H[Ransomware]
    G --> I[DDoS Attacks]
    
    style A fill:#ffebee
    style D fill:#e8f5e8
    style G fill:#e3f2fd

🎭 Types of Cybercriminals

💰 Financially Motivated

Criminal Organizations:
  - Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS)
  - Banking trojans and fraud
  - Cryptocurrency theft
  - Business email compromise
  - Credit card skimming operations

Individual Criminals:
  - Online fraudsters
  - Identity thieves
  - Cryptocurrency scammers
  - Social engineering experts
  - Insider threats

🏴‍☠️ Ideologically Motivated

Hacktivists:
  - Anonymous collective
  - Anti-government groups
  - Environmental activists
  - Social justice movements
  - Whistleblowing platforms

Cyber Terrorists:
  - Infrastructure targeting
  - Propaganda dissemination
  - Recruitment and training
  - Psychological warfare
  - Disruption campaigns

🏛️ State-Sponsored

Nation-State Actors:
  - Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs)
  - Espionage and surveillance
  - Critical infrastructure attacks
  - Election interference
  - Intellectual property theft

Course: Cyber Security (4353204) | Unit V | Lecture 33 | Author: Milav Dabgar

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Digital Forensics Fundamentals

🔍 What is Digital Forensics?

Digital forensics is the scientific process of collecting, analyzing, and presenting digital evidence from computers, networks, and electronic devices to support legal proceedings.

📋 Core Principles

Scientific Method:
  - Systematic approach
  - Reproducible procedures
  - Documented methodology
  - Peer review validation
  - Evidence-based conclusions

Legal Requirements:
  - Chain of custody maintenance
  - Evidence integrity preservation
  - Legal admissibility standards
  - Constitutional compliance
  - Professional ethics

🔄 Forensic Process Model

Investigation Phases:
  1. Identification:
     - Incident recognition
     - Scope determination
     - Resource planning
     - Legal authorization

  2. Preservation:
     - Evidence isolation
     - Data acquisition
     - Integrity verification
     - Chain of custody

  3. Collection:
     - Systematic gathering
     - Documentation procedures
     - Metadata preservation
     - Witness interviews

  4. Examination:
     - Technical analysis
     - Data recovery
     - Pattern recognition
     - Timeline construction

  5. Analysis:
     - Evidence correlation
     - Hypothesis testing
     - Conclusion formation
     - Report preparation

  6. Presentation:
     - Expert testimony
     - Visual aids
     - Technical translation
     - Legal compliance

🛠️ Forensic Disciplines

💻 Computer Forensics

Focus Areas:
  - Hard drive analysis
  - File system examination
  - Registry investigation
  - Deleted data recovery
  - Malware analysis
  - Timeline reconstruction

Common Tools:
  - EnCase Forensic
  - FTK (Forensic Toolkit)
  - Autopsy (open source)
  - X-Ways Forensics
  - SIFT Workstation

📱 Mobile Device Forensics

Device Types:
  - Smartphones (iOS/Android)
  - Tablets and iPads
  - Smartwatches
  - GPS devices
  - IoT devices

Extraction Methods:
  - Logical extraction
  - Physical extraction
  - File system extraction
  - Chip-off analysis
  - JTAG/ISP methods

🌐 Network Forensics

Network Evidence:
  - Packet captures (PCAP)
  - Log file analysis
  - Flow record examination
  - Protocol analysis
  - Intrusion detection alerts

Analysis Focus:
  - Attack vector identification
  - Data exfiltration detection
  - Lateral movement tracking
  - Command and control communication
  - Timeline reconstruction

☁️ Cloud Forensics

Cloud Challenges:
  - Jurisdictional issues
  - Data location uncertainty
  - Shared infrastructure
  - Limited access rights
  - Volatile evidence

Investigation Areas:
  - Cloud service logs
  - API access records
  - Virtual machine images
  - Container forensics
  - Multi-tenancy analysis

Course: Cyber Security (4353204) | Unit V | Lecture 33 | Author: Milav Dabgar

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Legal Framework and Evidence

⚖️ Legal Foundations

🏛️ Cybercrime Laws (India)

IT Act 2000 (Amended 2008):
  Section 43: Penalty for damage to computer
  Section 43A: Data protection compensation
  Section 66: Computer-related offenses
  Section 66A: Punishment for offensive messages
  Section 66B: Punishment for dishonestly receiving stolen computer resource
  Section 66C: Identity theft punishment
  Section 66D: Cheating by personation using computer
  Section 66E: Violation of privacy
  Section 66F: Cyber terrorism
  Section 67: Publishing obscene information
  Section 70: Protected system access

Indian Penal Code Sections:
  Section 420: Cheating and fraud
  Section 463-477A: Forgery
  Section 499-502: Defamation
  Section 503-506: Criminal intimidation

🌍 International Legal Framework

Global Treaties:
  - Convention on Cybercrime (Budapest Convention)
  - UN Model Law on Electronic Commerce
  - Hague Evidence Convention
  - MLATs (Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties)

Regional Laws:
  - GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
  - CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act)
  - PIPEDA (Personal Information Protection)
  - Data Protection Act 2018 (UK)

📜 Evidence Management

🔗 Chain of Custody

Documentation Requirements:
  Who: Person handling evidence
  What: Description of evidence
  When: Date and time of handling
  Where: Location of evidence
  Why: Reason for handling
  How: Method of handling

Critical Elements:
  - Unique identification numbers
  - Digital signatures/hashes
  - Witness statements
  - Photography documentation
  - Storage conditions
  - Access logs

🛡️ Evidence Integrity

# Hash calculation for evidence integrity
import hashlib

def calculate_file_hash(file_path, algorithm='sha256'):
    """Calculate cryptographic hash of file"""
    hasher = hashlib.new(algorithm)
    
    with open(file_path, 'rb') as f:
        for chunk in iter(lambda: f.read(4096), b""):
            hasher.update(chunk)
    
    return hasher.hexdigest()

# Evidence verification example
def verify_evidence_integrity(original_hash, current_file):
    """Verify evidence hasn't been tampered with"""
    current_hash = calculate_file_hash(current_file)
    
    if original_hash == current_hash:
        return "Evidence integrity verified"
    else:
        return "WARNING: Evidence may have been tampered with"

# Usage
evidence_file = "/evidence/hard_drive_image.dd"
original_hash = "a1b2c3d4e5f6789..."
integrity_status = verify_evidence_integrity(original_hash, evidence_file)

📋 Evidence Types

Digital Evidence Categories:
  Volatile Evidence:
    - RAM contents
    - Network connections
    - Running processes
    - Temporary files
    - Cache data

  Non-Volatile Evidence:
    - Hard drive contents
    - System logs
    - Configuration files
    - User documents
    - Database records

  Network Evidence:
    - Packet captures
    - Flow records
    - Proxy logs
    - Firewall logs
    - IDS/IPS alerts

Course: Cyber Security (4353204) | Unit V | Lecture 33 | Author: Milav Dabgar

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Common Cybercrime Types

💳 Financial Cybercrime

💰 Banking and Financial Fraud

Attack Methods:
  ATM Skimming:
    - Card reader overlays
    - PIN pad cameras
    - Bluetooth data transmission
    - Cloned card usage

  Online Banking Fraud:
    - Credential phishing
    - Man-in-the-browser attacks
    - Session hijacking
    - Transaction manipulation

  Credit Card Fraud:
    - Card-not-present fraud
    - Account takeover
    - New account fraud
    - Synthetic identity fraud

  Cryptocurrency Crimes:
    - Exchange hacks
    - Wallet theft
    - ICO scams
    - Mining malware
    - Money laundering

🏢 Business Email Compromise (BEC)

BEC Attack Types:
  CEO Fraud:
    - Executive impersonation
    - Urgent wire transfers
    - Confidential transactions
    - Authority exploitation

  Invoice Fraud:
    - Vendor impersonation
    - Payment redirection
    - Account changes
    - Fake billing

  Payroll Diversion:
    - Employee impersonation
    - Direct deposit changes
    - HR system access
    - Personal information theft

🔒 Data and Privacy Crimes

🆔 Identity Theft

Personal Information Targets:
  - Social Security Numbers
  - Credit card information
  - Banking account details
  - Driver's license data
  - Medical records
  - Employment information

Attack Vectors:
  - Data breach exploitation
  - Social engineering
  - Dumpster diving
  - Mail theft
  - Phishing campaigns
  - Insider threats

💾 Data Breaches

Breach Categories:
  External Attacks:
    - Hacking and intrusion
    - Malware and ransomware
    - Social engineering
    - Physical theft

  Internal Threats:
    - Malicious insiders
    - Negligent employees
    - Privilege abuse
    - Data exfiltration

High-Profile Breaches:
  - Equifax (147 million records)
  - Yahoo (3 billion accounts)
  - Marriott (500 million guests)
  - Capital One (100 million customers)
  - Facebook (533 million users)

🔐 Ransomware Operations

Ransomware Evolution:
  Traditional Ransomware:
    - File encryption
    - Ransom demand
    - Payment in cryptocurrency
    - Decryption key promise

  Double Extortion:
    - Data encryption + theft
    - Public exposure threat
    - Multiple ransom demands
    - Reputation damage

  Triple Extortion:
    - Victim encryption
    - Customer notification
    - DDoS attacks
    - Regulatory reporting

Course: Cyber Security (4353204) | Unit V | Lecture 33 | Author: Milav Dabgar

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Digital Investigation Process

🚨 Incident Response Integration

📞 First Response Procedures

Immediate Actions:
  1. Incident Identification:
     - Anomaly detection
     - Alert validation
     - Scope assessment
     - Stakeholder notification

  2. Containment:
     - System isolation
     - Network segmentation
     - Service shutdown
     - Evidence preservation

  3. Evidence Preservation:
     - Memory capture
     - Disk imaging
     - Log collection
     - Network traces

  4. Legal Consultation:
     - Law enforcement contact
     - Legal counsel involvement
     - Regulatory notification
     - Insurance reporting

🔍 Investigation Initiation

# Digital forensics investigation framework
class ForensicInvestigation:
    def __init__(self, case_id, investigator, incident_type):
        self.case_id = case_id
        self.investigator = investigator
        self.incident_type = incident_type
        self.evidence_items = []
        self.timeline = []
    
    def document_scene(self, description, photos, diagrams):
        """Document the digital crime scene"""
        scene_record = {
            'timestamp': datetime.now(),
            'description': description,
            'visual_evidence': photos,
            'network_diagrams': diagrams,
            'environmental_conditions': self.assess_environment()
        }
        return scene_record
    
    def identify_evidence(self, systems, networks, devices):
        """Identify potential sources of digital evidence"""
        evidence_sources = {
            'computer_systems': systems,
            'network_devices': networks,
            'mobile_devices': devices,
            'cloud_services': self.enumerate_cloud_resources(),
            'external_storage': self.find_external_media()
        }
        return evidence_sources
    
    def prioritize_collection(self, volatility, relevance, accessibility):
        """Prioritize evidence collection based on multiple factors"""
        priority_matrix = {
            'high_priority': [],  # Volatile + highly relevant
            'medium_priority': [],  # Stable + relevant
            'low_priority': []   # Stable + potentially relevant
        }
        return priority_matrix

🛠️ Forensic Tools and Techniques

💻 Imaging and Acquisition

# DD command for disk imaging
dd if=/dev/sda of=/evidence/disk_image.dd bs=512 conv=noerror,sync

# DC3DD - Enhanced DD with forensic features
dc3dd if=/dev/sda of=/evidence/disk_image.dd hash=sha256 log=/evidence/acquisition.log

# FTK Imager command line
ftkimager /dev/sda /evidence/disk_image --compress 6 --verify

# Verify image integrity
md5sum /evidence/disk_image.dd > /evidence/disk_image.md5
sha256sum /evidence/disk_image.dd > /evidence/disk_image.sha256

🔍 Analysis Tools

Commercial Tools:
  EnCase Forensic:
    - Disk imaging and analysis
    - Registry examination
    - Email analysis
    - Timeline creation
    - Report generation

  Forensic Toolkit (FTK):
    - Data carving
    - Password cracking
    - Email analysis
    - Database examination
    - Mobile forensics

Open Source Tools:
  Autopsy:
    - Disk image analysis
    - File system examination
    - Keyword searching
    - Timeline analysis
    - Case management

  SIFT Workstation:
    - Linux-based toolkit
    - Multiple forensic tools
    - Log analysis
    - Network forensics
    - Memory analysis

📊 Analysis Methodologies

File System Analysis:
  - Partition examination
  - File allocation table analysis
  - Deleted file recovery
  - Slack space examination
  - Alternate data streams

Registry Analysis (Windows):
  - System configuration
  - User activity tracking
  - Software installation
  - Network connections
  - USB device history

Log Analysis:
  - System event logs
  - Application logs
  - Security logs
  - Web server logs
  - Database logs

Course: Cyber Security (4353204) | Unit V | Lecture 33 | Author: Milav Dabgar

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Practical Exercise: Digital Crime Scene

🎯 Forensic Investigation Simulation (35 minutes)

Mission: Corporate Data Breach Investigation

A major financial services company "SecureBank Corp" has discovered unauthorized access to their customer database. Your forensic team must investigate this potential cybercrime.

🏦 Incident Scenario

Initial Report:

Suspicious database queries detected during weekend hours
Customer complaints about unauthorized transactions
System administrator noticed unusual network traffic
Executive team demands immediate investigation
Regulatory compliance requirements (PCI DSS, SOX)
Media attention and reputation concerns

Phase 1: Investigation Planning and Scene Documentation (15 minutes)

Team Task: Comprehensive Investigation Strategy

Legal and Procedural Framework
- Identify applicable cybercrime laws and regulations
- Design evidence collection and chain of custody procedures
- Plan stakeholder communication and reporting requirements
- Create documentation and photography protocols
Technical Investigation Scope
- Map potential evidence sources (servers, workstations, networks)
- Prioritize evidence collection based on volatility and relevance
- Design systematic examination procedures
- Plan timeline reconstruction methodology

Phase 2: Evidence Collection and Preservation (12 minutes)

Forensic Data Acquisition:

Digital Evidence Sources
- Database server disk imaging procedures
- Network device log collection
- Workstation memory and disk acquisition
- Email server and communication analysis
Evidence Integrity and Documentation
- Hash calculation and verification procedures
- Chain of custody form completion
- Witness statement collection
- Environmental condition documentation

Phase 3: Initial Analysis and Reporting Framework (8 minutes)

Investigation Analysis Structure:

Technical Analysis Planning
- File system and registry examination approach
- Network traffic and log analysis methodology
- Malware detection and reverse engineering procedures
- Timeline construction and correlation techniques
Legal Compliance and Reporting
- Evidence admissibility requirements
- Expert witness testimony preparation
- Regulatory notification procedures
- Executive summary and technical report structure

Deliverables:

Complete forensic investigation plan with legal compliance framework
Evidence collection and preservation procedures
Chain of custody documentation templates
Initial analysis methodology and reporting structure

Course: Cyber Security (4353204) | Unit V | Lecture 33 | Author: Milav Dabgar

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Questions & Discussion

🤔 Investigation Considerations:

How do you balance speed with thoroughness in cybercrime investigations?
What are the key challenges in international cybercrime cases?
How do you ensure digital evidence admissibility in court?

💡 Exercise Review

Present your forensic investigation strategies and discuss legal compliance approaches

Course: Cyber Security (4353204) | Unit V | Lecture 33 | Author: Milav Dabgar

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Thank You!

Next Lecture: Computer and Network Forensics

Deep Dive into Technical Investigation

Cyber Security (4353204) - Lecture 33 Complete

Digital forensics: Where technology meets justice! 🔍⚖️

Course: Cyber Security (4353204) | Unit V | Lecture 33 | Author: Milav Dabgar