Technology and Internet

Computer Forensics is the method of examining digital media to find evidence. It is an essential part of any investigation involving computers.  Computer forensics can be used to find out what happened on the computer, who was using it, and how it was used. It can also be used to recover deleted data and reconstruct past events on the computer.

Forensic examiners are trained in examining hard drives, mobile devices, network traffic logs, and other digital media for evidence of crimes or other misconduct.

The main goal of a forensic exam is to preserve the integrity of the evidence during examination.  Forensic examiners are usually called in by law enforcement agencies when they need help with an investigation involving computers or digital media; they may also be hired privately by individuals

Computer forensics has become an important of litigation. Computers have become an important part of your lives. This does not exclude criminals who have the technical know how of hacking into computer network systems. Electronic evidence has played a role in court but obtaining can be difficult.

There have been issues of authenticity concerned with this type of evidence. Nonetheless it still used today with the help of legal standards to make them admissible in court. Computer forensics is beneficial but it also has disadvantages.

Computers are the most dominant form of technology. It has been used in variety of purposes which has made digital and electronic evidence important. However there are still setbacks to this field.

Pros and Cons

The exchange of information is taking place everyday over the internet. Although this may be convenient for us, it can also pose as an opportunity for criminals. Phishing, corporate fraud, intellectual property disputes, theft, breach of contract and asset recovery are some of the situations wherein computer forensics can be used.

Apart from the technical aspect, legal issues are also involved. Computer forensic analysts make their investigation in such a way that the electronic evidence will be admissible in court.

There are advantages and disadvantages when it comes to computer forensics. This field is relatively new and criminal matters usually dealt with physical evidences. This makes electronic evidence something very new. Fortunately it has been a helpful tool wherein important data needed for a case that has been lost, deleted or damaged can be retrieved.

Computer forensics’ main advantage is its ability to search and analyze a mountain of data quickly and efficiently. They can search keywords in a hard drive in different languages which is beneficial since cyber crimes can easily cross borders through the internet.

Valuable data that has been lost and deleted by offenders can be retrieved which becomes substantial evidence in court. Legal professionals are able to produce data in court that were previously impossible.

The first setback when using electronic or digital evidence is making it admissible in court. Data can be easily modified. Analyst must be bale to fully comply with standards of evidence required in the court of law. The computer forensic analyst must show that the data is tampered.

His or her own investigation must also be fully documented and accounted for. Computer forensics must also training of legal standard procedures when handling evidence.

The main disadvantage is the cost of when retrieving data. Computer forensic experts hire per hour. Analysis and reporting of data can take as long as 15 hours but it will also depend on the nature of the case. Another one is that when retrieving data, analyst may inadvertently disclose privilege documents.

Legal practitioners involved in the case must also have knowledge of computer forensics. If not they will not be able to cross examine an expert witness. This also applies to the judge, solicitors and barristers. Computer forensics is still fairly new and some may not understand it. The analyst must be able to communicate his findings in a way that everyone will understand.

Although computer forensics has its disadvantage, this can be solved by the party involved. Evidence on the other hand can only be captured once. The use of computers and the rise of cyber crimes also call for an equally high the method of stopping it.

There are two types of spyware. The first type is the one that is installed on your phone or computer by you. The second type of spyware is installed without your knowledge.

The first type of spyware can be a great way to monitor what your kids or employees are doing on their devices. You can use this data to make sure they are not using their devices for things they shouldn’t be using them for. However, if someone installs the software without your knowledge, it becomes a problem because you have no idea what they’re doing with it and who they’re giving access to as well as all the information that’s being collected from you.

Obviously the second type of spyware can be much more worrisome and even sinister. However, it can be used in beneficial ways too.

The concept behind the technology of spyware is that, a number of advertising companies take interest to install tracking software into the computer system, that illusions to call it host with aims to use all internet connections, get statistical or other information data to what they will claim “home” attesting assurance of company’s security policies not to collect sensitive data for confidentiality, and with full promise to establish continuity of anonymity.

However, it is an establish fact that the PC functions as a “live” server that is open for any kind of information disseminations with or without the consent of the server; bottom lining the fact, there is always a risk for any transfer of any information even those covered by protection policies between the advertiser and the so called “mothership.” In the end just as nobody would wish, it will be sending assimilated data that might escape the benefit of payment from the PC database.

Although spyware and adware could be two in one to front probable interference to the server’s privacy, spyware could stage sole manipulation to indulge deeper in affecting the users privacy, prompting slow-down computer’s effectiveness, windows’ pop-ups of undesirable ads, and spam e-mails.

Several media companies are perennially seeking ways to eliminate large expense for web development and internet costs; but instead, tend to pay part of their revenue solicitations from reputable brands’ banner sales to host servers by installing reputable piece software by way of so called “piggybacking,” or tricking methods as the Trojan horse technique, installing some “rogue” anti-spyware program, eluding detection of its being a disguised security software.

A spyware no adware technology is an advertising copyright itself, can stand without having to do with any adware’s vulnerability threats. The so-called “Web accelerator” or helpful software agents: Example, the Bonzi Buddy (quoted from: Wikipidea), targeted to children: “He will explore the internet with you as your own friend and sidekick. He can talk, walk, joke, browse, search, e-mail and download like no other friend you’ve ever had! . . Best of all, it is FREE.”

This piece of copyright text is so deceptive for unknowingly, motives behind depict to pursue some ends in order to evade something that will disrupt the mobility of cash flow of the mother host.

Why is Spy ware Deceptive?

1. It does not self-replicate; instead, it invades infected computers for commercial gains purposes.
2. It monitors Web browsing activity (sales strategy) and routes of all HTTP to advertising agencies.
3. Delivery of pop-up advertisements
4. Theft of Credit and Identification card numbers in relation to the notorious identity theft around.
5. Spyware gets into the system by exploitations of other software vulnerability.

The Effects of the Spyware upon the Use of the Computer

There are so many complicated effects that are induced by spyware. It may not even be detected as an obvious virus infection, but comes in, a core factor of ineffective results of computers’ performance; like network traffic, disk usage, CPU malfunction which may be mislead to be a PC crash, and finally resolving to replace the whole system with a new one.

The demand for technical support and assistance is another recourse for badly spyware-infected computers. Another option is to have a thorough “cleanup” of the whole system. It needs massive reinstalling on software in order to revitalize as new.