Computer Forensics and Privacy

From Book News, Inc.
Describes the techniques and tools used to find evidence in a personal computer, as well as countermeasures for preventing unauthorized access. The author recommends disk-wiping software to clean up after deleted files, software to enhance on-line security, using a proxy server for on-line anonymity, and buying a second computer solely for Internet connection. Two chapters are devoted to the encryption of both files and entire hard disks. While most of the techniques call for installing software rather than complicated coding, the casual computer user may still find them overwhelming.Copyright © 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR


From the back cover
Computer Forensics and Privacy delivers a comprehensive treatment of the threats to data confidentiality posed both by the emerging field of computer forensics and by connecting a computer to the Internet. It is a valuable resource for IT professionals in private businesses and government organizations, lawyers and law enforcement professionals, and the typical personal computer user. This unique resource provides critical information that helps you:

Identify the specific areas where sensitive and potentially incriminating data is hiding in personal computers, and explains how to go about truly removing this data Install operating systems and application software that will help to minimize the possibility of security compromises Ensure computers that are connected to the Internet are protected from malicious mobile code and the new fashion of "adware/spyware" Detect whether advanced investigative tools, such as keystroke storing and relaying hardware and software, are in use in a computer

FROM THE PUBLISHER

As society has become increasingly reliant on computers for document creation and information storage and transmittal, the amount of unauthorized theft of sensitive information stored in (and transmitted to/from) computers has increased correspondingly. This cutting-edge new book delivers a comprehensive treatment of the emerging field of computer forensics, making it a valuable resource for IT professionals in private businesses and government organizations, as well as lawyers and law enforcement professionals. It identifies the specific areas where sensitive and potentially incriminating data is hiding in personal computers, and explains how to go about truly removing this data because mere "deletion" or even "overwriting" does not accomplish this. You get a systematic process for installing operating systems and application software that will help to minimize the possibility of security compromises, and numerous specific steps that need to be taken to prevent the hostile exploitation of one's computer This unique resource provides a method for ensuring that computers that are connected to the Internet are protected from malicious mobile code (code that can allow a remote hacker to read, remove, damage, or even add data to one's computer) and from the new fashion of "adware/spyware." Moreover, you learn how to detect whether advanced investigative tools, such as keystroke storing and relaying hardware and software, are in use in a computer; you also learn of commercially available capabilities for intercepting radio signals unintentionally radiated by a computer. Other critical topics include the pitfalls of encryption and how to use it effectively, the practical aspectsof online anonymity, and the current legal issues that pertain to the use of computers. Features over 70 illustrations that emphasize key points throughout the book.

SYNOPSIS

Describes the techniques and tools used to find evidence in a personal computer, as well as countermeasures for preventing unauthorized access. The author recommends disk-wiping software to clean up after deleted files, software to enhance on-line security, using a proxy server for on-line anonymity, and buying a second computer solely for Internet connection. Two chapters are devoted to the encryption of both files and entire hard disks. While most of the techniques call for installing software rather than complicated coding, the casual computer user may still find them overwhelming.