Mobile forensics involves a range of techniques and concepts used to extract and analyze data from mobile devices. Here's a breakdown of key terms:

Device Identification:

• IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity): Each mobile device has a unique IMEI number, similar to a serial number. This helps identify the specific device.
• SIM Card (Subscriber Identity Module): A removable card storing subscriber information like phone number, contacts, and network settings.

Device Operations & Access:

• Baseband: Firmware responsible for communication between the device and mobile networks.
• Rooting / Jailbreaking: Processes granting administrative control over a device, allowing deeper access for forensic examination. This is often necessary to bypass security measures and access sensitive data.
• ADB (Android Debug Bridge): A command-line tool for communicating with Android devices for debugging and data transfer. It allows forensic examiners to manipulate and extract data.

Data Analysis & Recovery:

• Hex Dump: A hexadecimal representation of file or memory contents, useful for examining raw data. This helps visualize the underlying structure of data.
• Hashing: Creating a unique digital fingerprint (hash value) to verify data integrity. This helps ensure that data hasn't been tampered with.
• Encryption: Protecting data by transforming it into an unreadable format using algorithms. This poses a challenge for forensic examiners, but various techniques can be employed to decrypt data.
• File System: The organization of data storage on a device. Understanding the file system is crucial for identifying and extracting relevant data.
• Deleted Data Recovery: These are techniques to recover data that has been deleted, but may still exist on the device's storage. This can reveal information that the user intended to delete.

Data Types:

• GPS Data: Location information stored or tracked by the device. This can reveal the device's movements and whereabouts.
• Call Logs: Call logs contain a history of all incoming, outgoing, and missed calls. This provides information about communication patterns.
• SMS / MMS: Short Message Service (text messages) and Multimedia Messaging Service (including images and videos). These can provide valuable insights into communication content.

Extended Forensics:

• Cloud Forensics: Examining data stored in cloud services associated with the device, like iCloud or Google Drive. This expands the scope of investigation to include data stored remotely.
• Malware Analysis: Investigating malicious software that may compromise device security or data integrity. This helps understand the nature of the malware and its impact on the device.

Investigation & Documentation:

• Timestamp: Date and time information associated with device activities. This is crucial for establishing timelines in investigations.
• Chain of Custody: A documented record of who has handled the device and its data, ensuring data integrity for legal purposes.
• Forensic Report: Detailed documentation of findings, procedures, and analysis conducted during a forensic examination. This provides a comprehensive summary of the investigation.

Additional Considerations:

• Mobile Device Management (MDM): Software used to monitor, manage, and secure mobile devices within an organization. This can provide valuable information about device usage and security posture.
• Bluetooth / Wi-Fi Analysis: Examination of connections and data transmitted over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi networks. This helps understand device communication patterns and potential data leaks.

These terms represent a broad range of techniques and considerations used in mobile forensics, which is a constantly evolving field. Understanding these terms is crucial for anyone involved in investigating mobile devices for legal or security purposes. Written By: Md.Imran Wahab, IPS, IGP, Provisioning, West Bengal
Email: [email protected], Ph no: 9836576565