12.2 Cybercrime and digital evidence

Cybercrime is a growing threat in our digital world. From hacking to identity theft, criminals use technology to commit crimes on a massive scale. Police must adapt their methods to combat these new threats and protect people online.

Digital forensics is crucial for solving cybercrimes. Experts use special tools to recover digital evidence from computers and phones. This evidence helps catch cybercriminals and bring them to justice, but it requires careful handling to hold up in court.

Types of Cybercrime

Understanding Cybercrime and Computer-Facilitated Crimes

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• Cybercrime encompasses illegal activities conducted through computers or the internet
• Computer-facilitated crimes involve using technology to commit traditional offenses
• Cybercrime can target individuals, organizations, or governments
• Common cybercrimes include hacking, malware distribution, and denial of service attacks
• Computer-facilitated crimes often enhance the scale and reach of traditional criminal activities
• Cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities in software, networks, and human behavior

Exploring Internet Fraud and Identity Theft

• Internet fraud involves deceptive practices conducted online to obtain financial gain
• Phishing schemes trick users into revealing sensitive information through fake websites or emails
• Online auction fraud occurs when sellers misrepresent items or fail to deliver purchased goods
• Identity theft involves illegally obtaining and using someone's personal information
• Criminals may use stolen identities to open credit accounts, file false tax returns, or commit other frauds
• Social engineering tactics manipulate individuals into divulging confidential information
• Data breaches can expose large volumes of personal information to potential misuse

Digital Forensics and Evidence

Fundamentals of Digital Forensics

• Digital forensics involves the recovery and investigation of material found in digital devices
• Forensic analysts use specialized tools and techniques to extract and analyze digital evidence
• Digital forensics applies to various devices (computers, smartphones, storage media)
• Key principles include maintaining data integrity and documenting the investigation process
• Forensic analysis can reveal hidden, deleted, or encrypted data crucial to investigations
• Digital forensics plays a vital role in both criminal and civil legal proceedings

Digital Evidence Collection and Chain of Custody

• Digital evidence collection requires careful handling to preserve its admissibility in court
• Investigators must follow proper procedures to maintain the integrity of digital evidence
• Write-blockers prevent inadvertent modification of original data during examination
• Chain of custody documents the chronological movement and handling of evidence
• Proper documentation includes details on who collected, accessed, and stored the evidence
• Maintaining chain of custody ensures the authenticity and reliability of digital evidence in legal proceedings
• Forensic imaging creates exact copies of digital media for analysis without altering the original

Cybercrime Infrastructure

Cryptocurrency and the Dark Web

• Cryptocurrency serves as a decentralized digital currency often used in cybercrime transactions
• Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies offer relative anonymity for illicit online activities
• Blockchain technology underpins cryptocurrency transactions, creating a distributed ledger
• The dark web consists of encrypted online content not indexed by traditional search engines
• Tor (The Onion Router) enables anonymous communication and access to dark web resources
• Dark web marketplaces facilitate the trade of illegal goods, services, and information
• Law enforcement faces challenges in tracking and intercepting dark web criminal activities

Cyber Security Measures and Challenges

• Cyber security involves protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks
• Firewalls act as barriers between trusted internal networks and untrusted external networks
• Antivirus software detects, prevents, and removes malicious software from computer systems
• Encryption secures data by converting it into a code to prevent unauthorized access
• Multi-factor authentication adds layers of security beyond just passwords
• Cyber security challenges include evolving threat landscapes and the human factor in security
• Organizations implement security policies, employee training, and incident response plans to enhance cyber resilience