Software Forensics : Collecting Evidence from the Scene of a Digital Crime [Paperback]

Robert Slade (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0071428046 | ISBN-13: 978-0071428040 | Publication Date: January 12, 2004 | Edition: 1

Software forensics - analyzing program code to track, identify, and prosecute computer virus perpetrators - has emerged as one of the most promising and technically challenging aspects of information management and security. This is a technical tutorial that thoroughly examines the programming tools, investigative and analysis methods, and legal implications of the complex evidence chain. Also included are eye-opening case studies, including the famous Enron case, and sample code from real criminal investigations. Written by a security consultant whose clients include the Canadian Government, "Software Forensics" covers: basic concepts; hackers, crackers, and phreaks; objects of analysis: text strings, source code, machine code; user interfaces and commands; program structures and versions; virus families; function indicators; stylistic analysis; and much more. There is no better or faster way for programmers, security analysts and consultants, security officers in the enterprise, application developers, lawyers, judges, and anyone else interested in software forensics to get up to speed on forensic programming tools and methods and the nature of cyber evidence.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Excerpts from review by David Bianco...

...Robert Slade's reference is an...overview aimed at the beginning practitioner, law enforcement officer and legal professional.

Software Forensics standout feature is a categorized list of references, which provides expert guidance and commentary on books, research papers, Web sites and tools that every forensic programmer should be familiar with. ...

...an excellent choice for those...who need to understand digital forensics issues at a nontechnical level. (Information Security Magazine )

From the Back Cover

Follow the trail. Catch the perp.

From one of the world's foremost investigators of computer viruses comes this comprehensive tutorial on solving cyber crimes and bringing perpetrators to justice. Author Robert M. Slade's Software Forensics provides expert instruction in tracking and identifying cybercriminals. A professional security consultant to Fortune 500 companies since 1987, Rob Slade teaches you the tools and methods he uses to find the invisible "DNA" on malicious computer code.

The Only Comprehensive Technical Reference on the Tools and Tactics of Cybercrime Investigation and Prosecution

There is no better or faster way for programmers, security analysts and consultants, security officers in the enterprise, application developers, lawyers, judges, and anyone else interested in solving cyber crime to get up to speed on forensic programming tools and methods and the nature of cyber evidence. Robert M. Slade's one-of-a-kind Software Forensics shows you how to --

* Learn the technical tools available for identifying and tracking virus creators and other programming miscreants
* Master the techniques and tactics of cyber crime investigation and prosecution
* Analyze source code, machine code, and text strings to track and identify cyber criminals
* Overcome attempts to misdirect investigations into cyber evidence
* Examine eye-opening case studies from real criminal investigations
* Understand enough of the rules of evidence and relevant legal intricacies to make your findings admissible in court
* Learn about the hacker, cracker, and phreak communities

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 215 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional; 1 edition (January 12, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071428046
• ISBN-13: 978-0071428040
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,280,365 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars what's new here?, August 16, 2004

By 

Malcolm Laury "Malcolm Laury" (London, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Software Forensics : Collecting Evidence from the Scene of a Digital Crime (Paperback)

There is nothing in this book that has not been covered 50 times before.
Interesting read, but there are gigabytes of similar FEEE data on the same topic on the net.

So why bother?

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Poor organization and flow, August 26, 2006

By 

J. Dusbabek (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Software Forensics : Collecting Evidence from the Scene of a Digital Crime (Paperback)

This book was a difficult read. The content isn't particularly difficult, but the book's organization and scattered subject matter made it difficult to get through. Though I read the book cover to cover, I often felt I was rereading material.

For example, his 21-page treatment of "Players- Hackers, Crackers, etc." conveyed no more information than did his 6-page overview of them in his Introduction. Even so, I have the distinct impression that the most he's ever seen of a "hacker" is on TV.

My background in this topic has been purely educational (that is to say I've taken 1 forensics class) and I have to agree that there are several books that cover the topic more clearly and more in depth than this one.

My recommendation... go to your local library or book store and spend 30 minutes reading the Introduction, you won't be missing much.

35 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Nothing Really New, February 1, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Software Forensics : Collecting Evidence from the Scene of a Digital Crime (Paperback)

I have been in the computer forensic industry for a very long time and have a number of books on the computer forensic subject, but I returned this book to Amazon, because it it really didn't add any thing new.