Digital Footprints: An Introduction to IT and Mobile Forensics

Description:

In an age dominated by mobile technology, cloud platforms, and ever-evolving cyber threats, Digital Footprints: An Introduction to IT and Mobile Forensics delivers a comprehensive, undergraduate-level exploration of digital forensic investigation. Tailored for students and cybersecurity professionals, this textbook provides an essential foundation in identifying, preserving, analyzing, and reporting on digital evidence across diverse systems and environments. Beginning with the fundamentals of digital forensics—including evidence types, investigative lifecycles, and regulatory frameworks such as HIPAA, GDPR, and CFAA—the book systematically explores the inner workings of modern computing and mobile devices. Readers are introduced to the forensic relevance of computer hardware, operating system internals, file system architectures, and mobile platforms including Android and iOS. As investigations increasingly involve volatile and cloud-based data, the text equips readers with practical knowledge on evidence acquisition, imaging tools, system logs, memory analysis, and forensic integrity through hashing and chain of custody protocols. It delves deeply into Windows and macOS forensics, mobile device acquisition techniques, SIM card and app data analysis, and third-party toolkits such as Cellebrite and MOBILedit. The book also covers Internet and network forensics—from browser artifacts and packet captures to anonymization techniques, DNS logs, and deep web investigations. With dedicated chapters on forensic automation, scripting, and visualization, as well as discussions on ethical responsibilities, legal considerations, and career development, this book prepares students to lead digital investigations in law enforcement, corporate, legal, and intelligence sectors. Real-world case studies and applied techniques ensure graduates are ready to confront today’s digital crime landscape with both analytical precision and professional integrity.

Key Features:

• Comprehensive overview of digital, mobile, and cloud forensics, from theory to hands-on techniques.
• Coverage of forensic acquisition tools, file systems, log analysis, and volatile data handling.
• In-depth analysis of Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android forensic artifacts and methodologies.
• Instruction on scripting, automation, and reporting tools for modern forensic workflows.
• Discussion of anti-forensics, encryption challenges, and emerging technologies such as IoT and AI.
• Integration of legal, ethical, and professional development topics relevant to real-world forensic practice.

Ideal For:

Undergraduate students in IT, cybersecurity, or digital forensics programs; practitioners in law enforcement, incident response, and cybercrime investigation; educators and researchers in forensic science; and professionals seeking an in-depth resource on the evolving landscape of digital evidence and forensic methodologies.

Walsh College Students: This is the required textbook for IT460: Digital and Network Forensics

ISBN-13: 979-8-9988425-0-4

Format: E-Book