The term "forensics" describes the methods employed by detectives to crack a case. Each invention has benefits and drawbacks. Modern crimes are committed using computers and other electronic devices, which have developed considerably more quickly. Computer forensics is the science of using computers to look into criminal activity.

It is a method for obtaining, preserving, and presenting evidence taken from devices in a court of law. Computers may be used as a weapon and as a target. Attackers have advanced and now employ cutting-edge computer systems to carry out such terrible phishing offenses. The target may be a home system, business network, or all the PCs connected.

In this top tools list, we will discuss the best computer (digital) forensic tools available.

1. Wireshark

One of the top open-source forensic tools for network packet analysis is Wireshark. Real-time data intercept and decryption are both possible. One of its most notable aspects is that it is one of the live forensics solutions that support extensive VoIP analysis.

You'll constantly be aware of what's happening within the network you're researching using it.

Key Features:

• Extensive examination of hundreds of procedures, with new ones being added regularly

• Live recording and offline evaluation

• Browser with three standard windows

• Runs on various platforms, including Windows, Linux, macOS, Solaris, FreeBSD, and NetBSD.

• A GUI or the TTY-mode TShark program can be used to browse network data that has been captured.

• The industry's most robust display filters

• Detailed VoIP analysis

• Gzip-compressed capture files may be instantly decompressed.

• Ethernet, IEEE 802.11, PPP/HDLC, Bluetooth, USB, Token Ring, Frame Relay, and other live data sources may all be read.

• Many protocols enable decryption, including IPsec, ISAKMP, Kerberos, SNMPv3, SSL/TLS, WEP, and WPA/WPA2.

• The packet list can be colored according to the rapid, simple examination rules.

2. NMAP

One of the forensics tools for network scanning and auditing is Network Mapper (abbreviated NMAP). Its compatibility with practically all major operating systems, including Windows, Linux, Mac, and some less well-known ones like Solaris and HP-UX, is one of its main benefits.

Since it is open-source, using it is completely free.

Key Features:

• Flexible: Supports a wide range of cutting-edge methods for navigating networks dotted with IP filters, firewalls, routers, and other impediments. This comprises several port scanning techniques (TCP & UDP), OS and version identification, ping sweeps, and other techniques. Check out the documentation page.

• Effective: Nmap has been used to scan enormous networks with millions of devices.

• Portable: Most operating systems, including Linux, Microsoft Windows, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, Solaris, IRIX, Mac OS X, HP-UX, NetBSD, Sun OS, Amiga, and others, are supported by portable software.

• Simple: Although Nmap has a wealth of complex functions for power users, you can get started by typing "Nmap -v -A targethost." You may choose between classic command line and graphical (GUI) versions based on your preferences.

3. Oxygen Forensic Suite

One of the well-known open-source mobile forensics programs, Oxygen Forensic Suite, may assist you in obtaining the necessary evidence from a mobile device.

It also belongs on the list of Android forensic tools that enable you to go over the password or lock screen gesture prompt, giving you full access to the data kept within.

This is a no-cost substitute for SPF Pro, one of SalvationDATA's premier goods. Be sure to join up for the obligation-free free trial of SPF Pro because it is far more powerful and has more features.

Key Features:

• EASY MANAGEMENT: Since one USB dongle controls all connections, USB dongles are no longer required on every machine. Each workstation connects through a single USB dongle to the server, which may be any desktop or laptop computer running Windows OS and equipped with an available USB port

• BORROW LICENSE: The Enterprise server lets you operate offline by letting you borrow a license. You can grab one connection from the server and use it as a temporary offline license in the field. Return the borrowed license to the server when you return to the lab.

• SEAMLESS CONNECTIVITY: The server supports both local and distant connection options. With our new Enterprise license, you are free to utilize Oxygen Forensic Detective remotely from anywhere in the world in addition to your lab inside the local network.

• EFFICIENT ADMINISTRATION: If a connection is inactive and no longer needed, the server administrator can terminate it. The administrator would disconnect you from the server if one of your colleagues neglected to do so, allowing you to establish another connection.

4. SIFT SANS

An Ubuntu-based Live CD called the SANS Investigative Forensic Toolkit (SIFT) has all the tools you need to carry out an extensive forensic or incident response investigation. It allows the analysis of RAW (dd), Advanced Forensic Format (AFF), and Expert Witness Format (E01) evidence formats. SIFT comes with various tools, including log2timeline, Scalpel, Rifiuti, and many others. These programs may create a timeline from system logs, carve data files, and examine the trash bin.

When you initially boot into the SIFT environment, A thorough description of locating evidence about a system is also provided. Use the top menu bar to start a tool manually from a terminal window.

Key Features:

• Base 64-bit system

• Updates to the auto-DFIR package and modifications

• Interoperability between Windows and Linux.

• Additional filesystem support

• Installing a standalone system as an option

  
  

5. CrowdResponse

To capture contextual data, such as a process list, scheduled tasks, or Shim Cache, CrowdResponse is a lightweight console program that may be utilized in incident response scenarios. You may also check your host for malware using inbuilt YARA signatures and report if there are any signs of penetration.

Extract the ZIP file, then open a Command Prompt with Administrative Privileges to start CrowdsResponse. Enter your command arguments after finding where the CrowdResponse*.exe process is located. At the very least, you must mention the output path and the "tool" you want to use to gather data. Enter CrowdResponse64.exe on the command prompt to see a list of supported tool names and sample parameter values for the whole "tools."

Once the data has been exported, you may use CRconvert.exe to convert it from XML to another file format, such as CSV or HTML.

Key Features:

• Consisting of the YARA processing module, the current running module, and the directory listing module.

• Information about application resources is shown

• Examines the process executable's digital signature.

• Examines all active processes' memory, loaded module files, and disk files.

6. Volatility

Volatility, a memory forensics framework accessible under the GPL license and one of the most significant free forensic imaging and cyber security forensics tools, enables you to extract information directly from the processes active on the computer.

Many forensics and cyber security professionals use its malware analysis and incident response skills. Additionally, with this cyber forensic application, you may extract data from Windows crash dump files, DLLs, network ports, and the network connection itself.

Key Features:

• Supports a large number of different sample file types.

• Operates on Mac, Linux, and Windows

• Provides quick and practical techniques for analyzing RAM dumps from big systems.

• Its scriptable and expandable API provides new opportunities for creativity and expansion.

7. The Sleuth Kit (+Autopsy)

Open-source digital forensics tools known as The Sleuth Kit may be used to do in-depth analyses of multiple file systems. The Sleuth Kit is primarily covered by Autopsy, which has a GUI. The option to install additional modules for expanded capability comes with functions like Timeline Analysis, Hash Filtering, File System Analysis, and Keyword Searching out of the box.

You can start a new case or load an existing one when Autopsy launches. You must load a forensic image or a local disk to begin your study if you decide to start a new case. Use the nodes in the left-hand pane to select which findings to examine when the analysis is complete.

Key Features:

• Use a graphical user interface to display system events.

• Provides assessments of the registry, LNK files, and emails.

• Accepts the majority of file types

• Extracts and analyzes data from Tango, Words with Friends, call logs, contacts, SMS, and call history.

8. FTK Imager

A data viewing and imaging application called FTK Imager enables you to look through files and folders on local hard disks, network drives, CDs, and DVDs and evaluate the information in forensic pictures or memory dumps. You can also review and recover files that were deleted from the Recycle Bin using FTK Imager (provided that their data blocks haven't been overwritten), create SHA1 or MD5 hashes of files, export files and folders from forensic images to disk, and mount a forensic image to view its contents in Windows Explorer.

To load a piece of evidence for evaluation, select "File > Add Evidence Item..." while FTK Imager is launched. Select the source you want to forensically image by selecting "File > Produce Disk Image..." to create the image.

Key Features:

• Provides the ability to preview data, including files, directories, and the information within them.

• Allows for picture mounting

• Use parallel processing with many-core CPUs.

• Accesses a typical case database. Therefore, one central database is adequate for just one case.

9. Caine

A Linux Live CD called CAINE (Computer Aided INvestigative Environment) has a multitude of digital forensic capabilities on it. A user-friendly GUI, automatic report generation, and tools for mobile forensics, network forensics, data recovery, and other features are among the features.

You may start the digital forensic tools via the CAINE interface or from a shortcut to each program in the "Forensic Tools" folder on the applications menu bar when you boot into the CAINE Linux environment.

Key Features:

• It has a user-friendly interface and includes a variety of open-source forensics tools.

• It follows the inquiry process as specified by Italian law.

• Its setting is ideal for comprehensive forensic analysis

• Produces reports that are simple to alter and export.

10. Free Hex Editor Neo

Free Hex Editor Neo is a simple hex editor that can handle huge files. Hex Editor Neo comes with a lot of extra features, but it helpful in loading big files (like database files or forensic images) and carrying out tasks like manual data carving, low-level file editing, data gathering, or looking for hidden data.

To load a file into Hex Editor Neo, select File > Open. The information will show up in the middle window, where you can start manually navigating the hex or use CTRL + F to perform a search.

Key Features:

• Facilitates the discovery of data patterns across vast datasets

• Allows for multi-core processing

• Handles file-wide regular expression searches

• Easily creates file patches or adjusts any element of the user interface.

11. MTV

One of the best forensic tools for iOS and Android is MVT, which enables you to decode encrypted backups and find any malware that could be lurking in the system. It even displays the gathered data as a JSON string and generates a report detailing precisely which apps are loaded on the smartphone.

Look no farther than SalvationDATA's SPF Pro if you need a mobile forensic tool with these features but aren't too confident in free mobile forensic solutions. It is more user-friendly, has better functionality, continues to receive support from the development team, and offers a free trial on top of that.

Key Features:

The following is a features of some of the main characteristics of the Mobile Verification Toolkit (or MVT):

• Encrypted iOS backups must be decrypted.

• Process and parse iOS system records.

• Android device extraction of installed apps.

• Utilize the adb protocol to retrieve diagnostic information from Android devices.

• Compare the retrieved data with a list of harmful indicators in STIX2 format that has been given.

• Make JSON logs of the records that were extracted.

• Distinct JSON records for each malicious trace found.

• Assemble the extracted information into a single chronological timeline,

• Timeline all discovered harmful traces should be created.

• Free Software

12. FAW

One of the greatest digital forensic tools for website analysis is called Forensics Acquisition of Websites. Following execution, it will record the complete source code as well as any pictures it may include and look for signs of illegal behavior.

After you're done, you may use the data to interact with other computer forensic software programs like Wireshark.

Key Features:

• The standard program for collecting web pages for forensic purposes. recognized as a useful method to crystallize web pages by forensic communities all around the world.

• Access the Darkweb's web pages via the TOR network.

• Starts and stops the manual collection of web pages, allowing the operator to fully record the behavior of particular sites and multimedia material.

• Enables you to plan when to get a web page so that you can do so at various occasions throughout the day.

• A list of web pages may be automatically captured using FAW's multipage version. Perfect for quickly and automatically recording full webpages.

• With this application, you may copy whole websites in SFTP and FTP modes without changing the metadata of the files you copy.

13. 1Xplico

A Network Forensic Analysis Tool (NFAT) called Xplico is free source and is designed to extract application data from internet traffic.

Look no farther than this program if you need to conduct a forensic study of email. A potent open-source program called Xplico can extract text from email messages and analyze POP, SMTP, and IMAP traffic.

Additionally, it supports a variety of protocols, including HTTP, TCP, UDP, SIP, and IMAP. A MySQL or SQLite database is produced as the output. Features include support for a wide range of protocols, TCP reassembly, and the option to export data to one of these databases, among others.

Key Features:

• Consists of three modules: an input module for data entry, an output module for decoding data and displaying it to the user, and a decoding module for each network protocol.

• Enables a variety of user interfaces

• The configuration file may be used to load or unload any module.

• VoIP calls can be decoded using it.

14. Paladin

PALADIN is an Ubuntu-based program that makes a variety of forensic jobs easier. More than 100 helpful tools are available in this digital forensics program for examining any harmful content. With the aid of this program, you may swiftly and efficiently simplify your forensic assignment.

Key Features:

• It has 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

• This instrument is offered on a USB flash drive.

• This toolkit contains open-source tools that make it simple for you to find the needed data.

• You can complete a cyber forensic task using this tool's more than 33 categories.

15. X-Ways

Software termed X-Ways gives computer forensic investigators a workspace. This application allows imaging and disk cloning. You can work with others who also have this tool thanks to it.

Key Features:

• It can read the file system and partitioning structures included in.dd image files.

• Drives, RAIDs (Redundant array of independent disks), and more are all accessible.

• It recognizes deleted or missing partitions automatically.

• This program can quickly identify NTFS and ADS (New Technology File System) (Alternate Data Streams).

• X-Ways Forensics supports annotations or bookmarks.

• It can examine distant computers.

• By employing templates, binary data may be seen and edited.

• It offers writing protection to ensure the integrity of the data.

16. E-Fense

You can satisfy your demands for digital forensics and cybersecurity with the aid of E-fense. It offers a user-friendly interface that lets you find files on any device.

Key Features:

• It offers a defense against bad behavior, hacking, and breaking of rules.

• A system's memory, screen captures, and internet history may be copied to a USB flash drive.

• You may complete your inquiry using this tool's user-friendly interface.

• Multithreading is supported by E-fense, allowing you to run many threads at once.

17. Registry Recon

Registry Recon is a computer forensics tool that can quickly identify any external devices connected to a PC by extracting, recovering, and analyzing registry data from Windows OS.

Key Features:

• Operating platforms, including Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10, are supported.

• With this utility, priceless NTFS data is automatically recovered.

• It may be used with the Microsoft Disk Manager utility program.

• Mount each VSC (Volume Shadow Copy) on a disk as soon as possible.

• This software rebuilds the database of the active register.

18. Magnet RAM

A suspicious computer's memory is captured via magnet RAM capture. It enables investigators to extract and examine priceless stuff from memory.

Key Features:

• This application may be used while reduce memory overwrites.

• You may upload the exported memory data into analysis programs like magnet AXIOM and magnet IEF.

• This program supports a wide variety of Windows operating systems.

• RAM acquisition is supported by Magnet RAM capture.

19. Encase

Encase is a program that enables you to retrieve data from hard drives and recover evidence. It enables you to perform a thorough study of the files and gather evidence, such as papers, photos, etc.

Key Features:

• Numerous gadgets, such as smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices, can be used to collect data.

• One of the most excellent mobile forensic tools, it helps you to generate comprehensive reports for upholding the integrity of the evidence.

• You can find, classify, and search for evidence rapidly.

• Encase-forensic aids in decrypting evidence that has been encrypted.

• One of the most essential digital forensics tools for automating evidence gathering is this one.

• You may carry out a triage analysis.

20. Google Takeout Convertor

Google Takeout Convertor transforms all attachments and archived email messages from Google Takeout. Investigators may extract, evaluate, and interpret the factual evidence using this program.

Key Features:

• To save time and work, batch many Google Takeout account export files together.

• Another feature of this computer forensic tool that might help you save time and effort is the batch mode.

• Supports email conversion from the most widely used cloud-based email provider to Google Takeout files.

• Provides a dual-mode capability that allows users to import and convert Google Takeout files and directories.

• Platform supported: Windows

  
  

Things to Consider While Choosing Computer Forensics Tool

Skill level

When choosing a digital forensics instrument, the skill level is a crucial consideration. While some technologies just call for rudimentary expertise, others might. A solid rule of thumb is to weigh your abilities against the instrument's needs, allowing you to select the most potent tool you can use.

Output

Even within the same category, outcomes will differ since tools are not all created similarly. While other tools create a comprehensive report that can be immediately shared with non-technical workers, some programs only return raw data. Having a structured report might make your job more straightforward in some circumstances. Still, raw data alone may be sufficient in others since your information may need additional processing.

Cost

Given that most departments have limited funding, price is a crucial consideration. The cheapest tools might not have all the functionality you desire because that's how developers keep the costs down, which is something to keep in mind. Consider establishing a balance between price and features when selecting a tool rather than basing your decision on price.

Focus

The tool's focal area is another important consideration because various jobs often require various tools. For instance, the tools required to evaluate a network and a database are incredibly different. Making a comprehensive list of feature needs before purchasing is the best technique. As previously indicated, specific tools may perform many functions as part of a single kit, which may be more cost-effective than buying a different tool for each operation.

FAQS

What do you mean by Digital forensics?

The preservation, identification, extraction, and documenting of digital evidence so that it may be utilized in court is known as digital forensics. Finding evidence from digital media, such as a computer, smartphone, server, or network, is a science. It facilitates the forensic team's analysis, inspection, identification, and preservation of digital evidence on various kinds of electronic devices.

Which elements should you take into account when choosing a digital forensic tool?

When choosing a digital forensic instrument, the following elements should be taken into account:

• Security

• Multiple platform support

• Pleasant user interface

• Features and capabilities provided

• Multiple device support

• Numerous file types are supported

• Analytics capabilities

• Support for Integrations and Plugins

Who needs digital forensics?

Law enforcement authorities in both criminal and civil cases: These agencies employ digital evidence to help in the conviction or acquittal of suspects. These instances might range from murder trials to civil disputes like property transfers.

What are the two main divisions of digital forensics tools?

Hardware and software make up the two main types of computer forensics tools.

What purposes serve forensic tools?

The recovery and preservation of digital evidence can be aided by using gear and software known as "digital forensics tools." Digital forensics technologies may be used by law enforcement to gather and preserve digital evidence as well as to confirm or deny theories in court.