Learning Python for Forensics: Leverage the power of Python in forensic investigations, 2nd Edition

Design, develop, and deploy innovative forensic solutions using Python

Key Features

• Discover how to develop Python scripts for effective digital forensic analysis
• Master the skills of parsing complex data structures with Python libraries
• Solve forensic challenges through the development of practical Python scripts

Book Description

Digital forensics plays an integral role in solving complex cybercrimes and helping organizations make sense of cybersecurity incidents. This second edition of Learning Python for Forensics illustrates how Python can be used to support these digital investigations and permits the examiner to automate the parsing of forensic artifacts to spend more time examining actionable data.

The second edition of Learning Python for Forensics will illustrate how to develop Python scripts using an iterative design. Further, it demonstrates how to leverage the various built-in and community-sourced forensics scripts and libraries available for Python today. This book will help strengthen your analysis skills and efficiency as you creatively solve real-world problems through instruction-based tutorials.

By the end of this book, you will build a collection of Python scripts capable of investigating an array of forensic artifacts and master the skills of extracting metadata and parsing complex data structures into actionable reports. Most importantly, you will have developed a foundation upon which to build as you continue to learn Python and enhance your efficacy as an investigator.

What you will learn

• Learn how to develop Python scripts to solve complex forensic problems
• Build scripts using an iterative design
• Design code to accommodate present and future hurdles
• Leverage built-in and community-sourced libraries
• Understand the best practices in forensic programming
• Learn how to transform raw data into customized reports and visualizations
• Create forensic frameworks to automate analysis of multiple forensic artifacts
• Conduct effective and efficient investigations through programmatic processing

Who this book is for

If you are a forensics student, hobbyist, or professional seeking to increase your understanding in forensics through the use of a programming language, then Learning Python for Forensics is for you. You are not required to have previous experience in programming to learn and master the content within this book. This material, created by forensic professionals, was written with a unique perspective and understanding for examiners who wish to learn programming.

Table of Contents

1. Now for Something Completely Different
2. Python Fundamentals
3. Parsing Text Files
4. Working with Serialized Data Structures
5. Using Databases in Python
6. Interpreting Structured Binary Data from the Windows Registry
7. Finding Similar Files with Fuzzy Hashing
8. Extracting Embedded Metadata from Multimedia and Office Files
9. Converting Timestamps with a GUI Application
10. Rapidly Triage Systems
11. Parsing Outlook PST Containers
12. Recovering Transient SQLite Database Records
13. Coming Full Circle

Preston Miller is a consultant at an internationally recognized firm that specializes in cyber investigations. Preston holds an undergraduate degree from Vassar College and a masters degree, in Digital Forensics, from Marshall University where he was the recipient of the J. Edgar Hoover Scientific Scholarship for academic excellence. While in graduate school, Preston taught classes on Python and Open Source Forensics. Preston has previously been published through Syngress for his research on Bitcoin.

Preston is experienced in conducting traditional Digital Forensic investigations, but specializes in Physical Forensics. Physical Forensics is a subset of Digital Forensics, which involves black box scenarios where data must be acquired from a device by non-traditional means. In his free time, Preston contributes to multiple Python-based open source projects.

Preston would like to thank his wife, Stephanie, for her unwavering encouragement and love. He would also like to thank his family and friends for their support. Preston owes many thanks to Dr. Terry Fenger, Chris Vance, and Robert Boggs for helping him grow his understanding of the field and inspiring him to learn outside of the classroom.

Chapin Bryce is a senior consultant at a global firm that is a leader in digital forensics and incident response investigations. After graduating from Champlain College, with a bachelor's degree in computer and digital forensics, Chapin dove into the field of digital forensics and incident response joining the GIAC advisory board and earning four GIAC certifications: GCIH, GCFE, GCFA, and GNFA. As a member of multiple ongoing research and development projects, he has authored several books and articles in professional and academic publications, including Python Digital Forensics Cookbook (2018 Digital Forensics Book of the Year, Forensic 4Cast), Learning Python for Forensics First Edition, and Digital Forensic Magazine.