Cyber Crime Investigation – Online fraud Investigation
Cybercrime investigation is the process of analyzing, investigating, and recovering critical forensic digital data/evidence from the networks or systems associated in the cyber attack that could be the Internet/www or a local network in order to identify the executor of the cyber/ digital crime and their main motive behind the attack.
Cybercrime investigators should be experts in computer science, understanding not only computer software, file systems and operating systems, but also the working of networks/software and hardware in a computer system. They should have enough knowledge to determine how the inter-linking connection between all these components occur, in order to get a full description of what has happened, why it was happened, when it was happened, who has performed the cybercrime or cyber attack, and how can be victims will protect themselves or there near ones in the future against these types of cyber attacks.
Cybercrime investigation Methods
While methods may vary depending on the type of cybercrime/cyberattacks were investigated, as well as who is conducting the investigation, most of the digital/ or cyber crimes/attacks are subjected to these common methods used during the investigation process of cyber crime attacks.
1. Background Information or facts
Developing and defining the background of the cyberattack with the known facts that will help the investigators or investigating company a commencing point to establish what they are facing, and how much information they have when handling the initial cybercrime report of that particular cyberattack.
2. Collecting Information about the cybercrime/cyberattack
This is One of the most important step any cybercrime investigator must do is collect as much information/facts as possible about the cyberattack.
Was it an automated/AI attack, or a planned human targeted attack? Was there any loopholes/open opportunity for this attack to happen? What is the scope and implications? Can this attack be executed by anyone, or by particular people with specific skills? Who are the potential suspects? What digital crimes were committed? Where can the evidence be found? What are the potential evidences? Do we have access to such evidence sources?
These and other questions are valuable considerations during the information collection process.
Surveillance involves not only security cameras, videos and photos, but also electronic devices surveillance that details what’s being used and when, how it’s being used, and all the potential digital behavior involved.
One of the most common ways to collect data from cybercriminals is to configure a honeypot that will act as a victim while collecting evidence that can be later be used against attacks.
3. Tracking and identifying the Cyber Criminal
This next step is oftenly performed during the information-gathering process, depending on how much information and facts is already in gathered. In order to identify the criminals behind the cyber attack, both private and public security agencies often work with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and networking companies to get critical log information about their connections and networks, as well as historical services, websites and protocols used during the time they were connected. This is often the slowest phase, as it requires legal permission from the prosecutors and a court order to access the needed data.
4. Digital Forensics
Once the Investigator have collected enough data and facts about the cyberattack, it’s time to examine the digital systems that were affected, or those supposed to be involved in the execution of the attack. This process involves analyzing network connection raw data, hard drives, file systems, caching devices, RAM memory and other potential evidences. Once the forensic work starts, the involved investigator will follow up on all the involved trails looking for fingerprints in system files, network and service logs, emails, web-browsing history, etc.
Cyber Crime Investigation is not an easy task, it requires the appropriate knowledge about the tools and techniques used in cyber investigation.