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Windows Forensics
Windows Forensics is a critical component of cybersecurity, enabling investigators to uncover digital evidence and analyze cyber incidents. This comprehensive course explores the intricacies of the Windows operating system's data storage mechanisms and equips trainees with the skills necessary to conduct thorough investigations during and after cyber events.
Through four intensive modules, participants will gain hands-on experience with essential tools and techniques, from file analysis to malware detection, preparing them for the complex challenges of digital forensics in the Windows environment.
Program Code: NX212
Package: NX Defense​
Level: 3
Course Information
Prerequisites
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Basic knowledge of Windows
Duration Options
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Self-paced: 4-8 week
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Trainer-led: 40 hours
Core Features of Cyberium Arena
Labs
Enhance training with defense and attack tasks.
Books
Tailored coursebooks for cybersecurity studies.
Scenarios
Diverse situations mimicking real professional challenges.
Projects
Integrated projects to demonstrate acquired knowledge.
Digital Data Fundamentals
The foundation of Windows Forensics lies in understanding digital data. This module covers the essentials of file and disk handling, exploring various encoding methods and number systems crucial for digital forensics. Trainees will delve into digital sizes and the unique features of Solid State Drives (SSDs), gaining practical experience with Hex Editors.
Hands-on training includes working with offsets, viewing files and disks, and mastering automatic carving techniques. The module also covers Windows system files and the importance of metadata in forensic investigations.
File and Disk Basics
Understanding encoding systems and digital sizes through hands-on exploration of binary and hexadecimal formats
Hex Editor Mastery
Interactive hex editor interface for analyzing file structures and understanding data offsets
Carving Techniques
Advanced tools and techniques for automated file recovery and data carving
Windows System Analysis
Deep dive into Windows system files and metadata examination for forensic investigation
Steganography and Hidden Files
Steganography, the art of concealing information within other data, is a crucial area of study in digital forensics. Through practical exercises, participants will gain hands-on experience in working with steganography tools, understanding the principles behind data hiding, and developing strategies to reveal hidden information during investigations.
Identification
Learn techniques to spot potential steganographic content through visual analysis and automated tools
Extraction
Master methods to recover hidden data from various file types using specialized forensic software
Creation
Understand the process of hiding data to better detect it in forensic investigations
Analysis
Develop skills to interpret and contextualize hidden information discovered during investigations
Hard Disk Analysis
Hard disk analysis forms a critical component of Windows Forensics. This section delves deep into the structure and content of hard drives, focusing on system files and the Master File Table (MFT). Trainees will learn to navigate the complex landscape of disk structures, understanding how data is stored, accessed, and potentially recovered.
The module introduces the Forensic Toolkit (FTK), a powerful suite of tools essential for digital investigations. Through hands-on exercises, participants will gain proficiency in using FTK to analyze disk images, recover deleted files, and piece together digital evidence from various sources on a hard drive.
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1
System File Examination
Begin with analyzing critical Windows system files for evidence, establishing the foundation for forensic investigation
2
MFT Analysis
Progress to advanced techniques for extracting and interpreting Master File Table data
3
FTK Proficiency
Culminate with hands-on mastery of the Forensic Toolkit for comprehensive disk analysis
Digital Artifacts and Browser Forensics
Digital artifacts are the breadcrumbs left behind by user activities, and understanding them is crucial in Windows Forensics. This section focuses on identifying and analyzing various types of artifacts, with a special emphasis on browser forensics.
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Artifact Identification
Learn to locate and categorize various types of digital artifacts, from system logs to temporary files, that reveal user activities.
Browser Analysis
Master techniques for extracting and interpreting browser data, including browsing history, cached content, and downloaded files.
Shadow Copies
Understand how Volume Shadow Copies provide crucial historical snapshots of system data for forensic investigation.
Artifact Correlation
Develop skills to connect different pieces of digital evidence, creating a comprehensive timeline of activities.
Registry Analysis
The Windows Registry is a treasure trove of information for forensic investigators. This section delves into the intricacies of registry analysis, teaching trainees how to extract valuable data and interpret it in the context of an investigation. Participants will learn about the structure of the registry and its hives, with a particular focus on the NTUSER.DAT file, which contains user-specific information.
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The module covers techniques for conducting general searches within the registry and introduces various registry viewers. Trainees will gain hands-on experience in extracting and analyzing registry data, uncovering evidence of user activities, installed software, and system configurations.
1
Registry Structure
Understand the organization and importance of the Windows Registry
2
Data Extraction
Learn techniques to extract relevant information from registry hives
3
NTUSER.DAT Analysis
Master the interpretation of user-specific registry data
4
Advanced Search
Develop skills in conducting targeted registry searches and using specialized viewers
Memory Analysis Techniques
Memory analysis is a critical aspect of Windows Forensics, allowing investigators to capture and examine the volatile data in a computer's RAM. This section of the Analysis module focuses on techniques for creating memory images and analyzing them using specialized tools like Volatility.
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Trainees will learn the importance of RAM in forensic investigations and master methods for carving data from memory dumps. The module covers both the theoretical aspects of memory structure and practical skills in extracting and interpreting volatile data, providing crucial insights into system state and user activities at the time of image capture.​​
Image Creation
Learn techniques for capturing accurate memory images
Volatility Analysis
Master the use of Volatility for in-depth memory examination
Data Carving
Develop skills in extracting hidden or deleted data from RAM
Interpretation
Gain expertise in contextualizing memory analysis findings
Event Analysis and Audit Policies
Event analysis is crucial for reconstructing the timeline of activities on a Windows system. This section focuses on leveraging Windows Event Viewers and understanding the importance of audit policies in forensic investigations. Trainees will learn how to navigate and interpret various event logs, uncovering valuable information about system activities, user actions, and potential security breaches.
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The module covers techniques for setting up effective audit policies to ensure comprehensive logging of relevant events. Participants will also master methods for conducting custom searches within event logs, enabling them to quickly pinpoint specific activities or anomalies during an investigation.
Event Viewer Types
Key Information
Forensic Relevance
System
Identifying system changes or failures
Hardware and system component events
Security
Login attempts, policy changes
Detecting unauthorized access or policy violations
Application
Software-related events
Tracing application behavior and errors
Custom
User-defined logs
Monitoring specific activities or components
Network Forensics in Windows
Network forensics is an essential component of Windows investigations, providing insights into communication patterns and potential security breaches. This section of the Analysis module focuses on techniques for examining network activities within Windows systems. Trainees will learn to analyze various network protocols and services, gaining a deeper understanding of how data moves through a Windows network.​
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The module covers methods for identifying and investigating suspicious network connections, including those associated with darknet activities. Participants will gain hands-on experience with tools for capturing and analyzing network traffic, learning to reconstruct network events and trace the origins of potential attacks.
Network Mapping
Visualizing and analyzing network structures and connections
Packet Analysis
Examining individual network packets for forensic evidence
Darknet Detection
Identifying and investigating connections to dark web networks
Malware Analysis in Windows Forensics
The final section of the Analysis module focuses on malware analysis, a critical skill in the age of sophisticated cyber threats. Trainees will learn both static and dynamic analysis techniques to identify and understand malicious software affecting Windows systems. The module covers basic static analysis methods, teaching participants how to examine malware without executing it, looking for telltale signs and signatures.
Dynamic analysis techniques are also explored, allowing trainees to observe malware behavior in controlled environments. The section concludes with an introduction to advanced defense mechanisms like NX (No Execute), equipping participants with knowledge of cutting-edge protection strategies against malware threats.
1
Static Analysis
Examine malware code and structure without execution
2
Dynamic Analysis
Observe malware behavior in controlled environments
3
Signature Detection
Identify known malware through signature matching
4
Advanced Defenses
Understand and implement protection mechanisms