Did you have that harrowing moment when suddenly your valuable photos disappeared or important files were lost? It’s possible that your computer’s disk drive sang a swan’s song as it departed, and your video of your toddler taking his first steps was taken with it. Don’t panic! Don’t panic! There are many digital wizards that can restore your lost files. Keep reading to find out more about Data Recovery & Computer Forensics.
A bit like detective work, data recovery can be compared to a game. You’re not Sherlock Holmes, and instead of solving crimes, you need to put together torn, jumbled binary code bits to extract information. At the same time, it’s both amazing and mind-boggling. The file you delete isn’t necessarily lost. You can think of it as destroying a letter. The letter is in the bin but, unless it’s been burned or shredded, you may be able to dig it out, if there are no coffee grounds.
The computer is removing only the information that will tell the system to look for the deleted file. Data is still there, waiting to be overwritten. They use fancy cyber detective tools to try and recover the data.
It’s not just about recovering your lost wedding photographs. In computer forensics, technology meets CSI. The process involves collecting and preserving electronic data, as well as analyzing it in such a way to be admissible before a court. The location history in your phone can be used to solve crimes.
Imagine that someone was caught sneaking into a workplace late one night on an old CCTV. A laptop is stolen and they exit feeling triumphant. You know what? Guess what? Experts who specialize in computer forensics will be able to analyze the laptop for email histories, browser history, and even timestamps which can pinpoint an activity down to the second.
Encryption is a key component of any digital forensics discussion. The same thing as throwing a key away in an ocean is encrypting your data. The encryption protects privacy for you, but it’s a real nightmare for experts in forensics. In order to strike a balance between investigative and security needs, it’s difficult. The puzzles require complex algorithms, as well as a high level of intelligence.
What about those TV programs where hackers break systems by pounding their keyboards furiously in a matter of minutes? It’s almost as real as the dragons and unicorns. Actual forensics can be a long and tedious process, sometimes taking several months.
Sprinkle some humor. Has anyone ever told the joke of the criminal who nearly got away until his browsing history exposed him? The plot twists that are so exciting to forensic experts make them happy. As modern day archaeologists, forensic experts sift through layers and layers 1’s & 0s to uncover hidden stories.
The data recovery industry and computer forensics is not about just algorithms or software. These are real people tackling real problems. If your kid downloads accidentally a computer-damaging virus, the experts can save you. If you want to know the truth about dark secrets, then these experts can be your best resource.
The next time you’re watching a Cyber-Thriller, and the forensic teams are at work in it, be sure to tip your cap. It’s the unsung hero of the digital era, as they bring data back to live and discover hidden truths in bits and bytes. If they weren’t there, our memories, and even vital evidence, would be hidden in a virtual jungle.