Book Image

Learning Network Forensics

By : Samir Datt
Book Image

Learning Network Forensics

By: Samir Datt

Overview of this book

We live in a highly networked world. Every digital device—phone, tablet, or computer is connected to each other, in one way or another. In this new age of connected networks, there is network crime. Network forensics is the brave new frontier of digital investigation and information security professionals to extend their abilities to catch miscreants on the network. The book starts with an introduction to the world of network forensics and investigations. You will begin by getting an understanding of how to gather both physical and virtual evidence, intercepting and analyzing network data, wireless data packets, investigating intrusions, and so on. You will further explore the technology, tools, and investigating methods using malware forensics, network tunneling, and behaviors. By the end of the book, you will gain a complete understanding of how to successfully close a case.

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Learning Network Forensics
Samir Datt
Feb, 2016 | 274 pages
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Table of Contents (17 chapters)
Learning Network Forensics
Learning Network Forensics
Credits
Credits
About the Author
About the Author
About the Reviewers
About the Reviewers
www.PacktPub.com
www.PacktPub.com
Preface
Preface
Free Chapter
1
Becoming Network 007s
Becoming Network 007s
007 characteristics in the network world
Identifying threats to the enterprise
Data breach surveys
Defining network forensics
Differentiating between computer forensics and network forensics
Strengthening our technical fundamentals
Understanding network security
Network security goals
Digital footprints
Summary
2
Laying Hands on the Evidence
Laying Hands on the Evidence
Identifying sources of evidence
Learning to handle the evidence
Collecting network traffic using tcpdump
Collecting network traffic using Wireshark
Collecting network logs
Acquiring memory using FTK Imager
Summary
3
Capturing & Analyzing Data Packets
Capturing & Analyzing Data Packets
Tapping into network traffic
Packet sniffing and analysis using Wireshark
Packet sniffing and analysis using NetworkMiner
Case study – tracking down an insider
Summary
4
Going Wireless
Going Wireless
Laying the foundation – IEEE 802.11
Understanding wireless protection and security
Discussing common attacks on Wi-Fi networks
Capturing and analyzing wireless traffic
Summary
5
Tracking an Intruder on the Network
Tracking an Intruder on the Network
Understanding Network Intrusion Detection Systems
Understanding Network Intrusion Prevention Systems
Modes of detection
Differentiating between NIDS and NIPS
Using SNORT for network intrusion detection and prevention
Summary
6
Connecting the Dots – Event Logs
Connecting the Dots – Event Logs
Understanding log formats
Use case
Discovering the connection between logs and forensics
Practicing sensible log management
Analyzing network logs using Splunk
Summary
7
Proxies, Firewalls, and Routers
Proxies, Firewalls, and Routers
Getting proxies to confess
Making firewalls talk
Tales routers tell
Summary
8
Smuggling Forbidden Protocols – Network Tunneling
Smuggling Forbidden Protocols – Network Tunneling
Understanding VPNs
How does tunneling work?
Types of tunneling protocols
Various VPN vulnerabilities & logging
Summary
9
Investigating Malware – Cyber Weapons of the Internet
Investigating Malware – Cyber Weapons of the Internet
Knowing malware
Trends in the evolution of malware
Malware types and their impact
Understanding malware payload behavior
Malware attack architecture
Indicators of Compromise
Performing malware forensics
Summary
10
Closing the Deal – Solving the Case
Closing the Deal – Solving the Case
Revisiting the TAARA investigation methodology
Triggering the case
Acquiring the information and evidence
Analyzing the collected data – digging deep
Reporting the case
Action for the future
Future of network forensics
Summary
Index
Index

About the Author

Samir Datt has been dabbling with digital investigations since 1988, which was around the time he solved his first case with the help of an old PC and Lotus 123. He is the Founder CEO of Foundation Futuristic Technologies (P) Ltd, better known as ForensicsGuru.com. He is widely credited with evangelizing computer forensics in the Indian subcontinent and has personally trained thousands of law enforcement officers in the area. He has the distinction of starting the computer forensics industry in South Asia and setting up India's first computer forensic lab in the private sector. He is consulted by law enforcement agencies and private sector on various technology-related investigative issues. He has extensive experience in training thousands of investigators as well as examining a large number of digital sources of evidence in both private and government investigations.

At last it is done,

A journey that long ago was begun,

Many lights there are that have helped on the way,

To everyone of them, my thanks I would say.

This book would never have seen the light of day had it not been for Tushar Gupta, acquisition editor at Packt Publishing. He tracked me down and invited and convinced me to write. He encouraged me, cajoled me, and finally pushed me into the mystic world of authoring. Thanks Tushar!

I would also like to convey my heartfelt thanks to Riddhi Tuljapurkar, my content development editor. She has been a beacon guiding me through the myriad steps that being an author involves. A first-time author has many moments of self-doubt and hesitation; never did she let me falter, always encouraging, always supportive, she is perhaps the single most important reason that the book is ready on time. Thank you!

My book reviewers have been my compass and their encouragements, suggestions, comments, and guidance have been instrumental in getting the book to its present state. Thank you Clinton D'Souza and Nikhil Agarwal. I am indeed deeply grateful.

My family has been my biggest cheerleader. A special thanks to my wife, Resham, who has had to put up with my extensive travel schedules and uncounted holidays and weekends devoted to meeting the chapter deadlines. She has been my rock and has always believed that I was destined to write. My son, Madhav, who despite his own hectic schedules at IIT, Kharagpur, took time out to help me with the illustrations, screenshots, chapter editing, and scenario environments. Without you this could never have been done. Many thanks!

I also owe a thank you to my parents, who have been encouraging throughout the course of this book. My dogs, Tuffy, Lucky, Lolu, and Chutki, have been a source of inspiration by constantly bombarding me with unlimited doses of love and affection.

Thanks are also due to the rock-solid team at ForensicsGuru.com, who helped me with my research and chapter illustrations. Great work, guys!

Last but not least, I thank the Creator; for without Him, no creation is possible.

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