| Computer forensics is a division of overall forensic | | | | countries; have strengthened their forces and prepared |
| science specifically involved with exploring evidences | | | | them with the expertise to fight such crimes. Firewall |
| that are hidden in various digital computing devices. | | | | forensics, database forensics and network & |
| This particular field of study basically retrieves | | | | mobile device forensics are some of the many fields |
| unearthing hidden data from digital storage devices | | | | that have emerged out of computer forensics in the |
| such as hard disks, CD-ROMS, flash memories and | | | | last decade. |
| cell phones. | | | | Normally, an investigation of this area is divided into five |
| Throughout the years, this particular field of study has | | | | broad sections: |
| branched and spread its branch to other fields such as | | | | - Preparation of an investigation |
| retrieving email files, processing systems and data | | | | - Collection of data from digital computing devices |
| packets traveling on a network. Generally, any | | | | - Examination of the data |
| information explaining a sequence of events that can | | | | - Analysis of the data |
| be retrieved from a digital computing device can be | | | | - Reporting |
| used as court evidence. | | | | Much like any other forensic investigation, evidences |
| Currently, technology has been widely exploited in | | | | based on this particular investigation can be used to |
| order to commit serious crimes including ID thefts, | | | | charge the culprits in court. Computer forensic |
| phishing and other online fraudulent crimes. In order to | | | | investigators normally work in the lab for hours - |
| keep a step ahead of these criminals, various | | | | sometimes they have to stay overnight in the lab |
| detective and investigative agencies from different | | | | looking for important leads in some criminal cases. |