Office Hours:
Place: In Person Freedom 313 or ON ZOOM:
Virtual Office
Hours ZOOM link
Time: - Monday:
- 9:30 - 10:00 AM
- 12:00 - 1:00 PM (In person/ZOOM,
Freedom 313)
- 6:00 - 6:30 PM (ZOOM ONLY)
- Wednesday:
- 9:30-10:00 AM (In person/ZOOM, Freedom 313
- 5:00 -
6:00 PM
(ZOOM ONLY)
- Friday:
- 9:30-10:00 AM, 12:00 - 1:00 PM (In person/ZOOM, Freedom 313)
- ADDITIONAL OFFICE HOURS ARE AVAILABLE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
YOU MUST SEND AN EMAIL TO ykortsarts@widener.edu TO MAKE
AN
APPOINTMENT
Recommended Text - NOT REQUIRED:
- File System Forensics Analysis, Brian Carrier, Pearson Education, Inc, ISBN 0-32-126817-2
Course Description
Computer forensics is the scientific examination and analysis of data held on,
or retrieved from, computer storage media in such a
way that the information can be used as evidence in a court of law.
This course will introduce students to the fundamentals of
computer forensics and cyber-crime scene analysis,
evidence acquisition and data decryption. Student will learn investigative and
analytical techniques to acquire and protect potential legal evidence.
The various laws and regulations dealing with computer
forensic analysis will be discussed. Students will be introduced to the
emerging international standards for computer forensic
analysis, as well as a formal methodology for conducting computer forensic
investigations.
Tentative Course Topics:
- Digital Investigation Foundations
- Digital Crime Scene Investigation Process
- Data Analysis
- Overview of the toolkits
- File Systems Analysis
- File System Category
- Specific File Systems Overview
- Working with FTK Imager
- Registry Viewer Introduction
- Working with FTK
- Processing the Case
- Regular Expressions
- Overview of Cryptography Topic Related to the Course
- Understanding of the challenges faced when encountering encrypted
data
during forensic examinations.
- Typical Encryption Schemes Used in Today's Software applications
- Encryption File System
- Working with PRTK Password Recovery Toolkit
- Case Reporting
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate understanding of fundamentals of
computer forensics and cyber-crime scene analysis,
evidence acquisition and data decryption.
- Demonstrate understanding of the investigative
and
analytical techniques to acquire and protect potential legal evidence.
- Perform forensic computer examinations using Access Data Forensic Toolkit
(FTK), FTK Imager, Password Recovery Toolkit (PRTK) and Registry Viewer
Corresponding Computer Science/Computer Information Systems Outcomes
- Outcome 3. Students demonstrate independent learning, recognize
the
limitations of their computer science knowledge and are prepared for
continued learning in computer science.
- Outcome 4. Demonstrate an understanding of ethical issues and
professional responsibilities related to computing and the impact
technology has on society
Corresponding A&S Goals
-
Goal 2: A liberally educated graduate thinks critically.
- 2.a. Makes claims and draws conclusions that require the analysis
and
evaluation of evidence.
- Goal 4: A liberally
education graduate has developed a wide range
of
intellectual perspectives and methodologies.
- 4.a. Evaluates the workings of the natural and physical world
using
theories
and models that can be tested by experiments and observations.
Corresponding Widener University
Institutional Learning Objectives (ILOs)
- ILO 1. Students will demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and
scholarship
appropriate to their major field of study.
- ILO 2. Students will be able to think critically and communicate
effectively.
Policies
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) TOOLS POLICY -
IMPORTANT!
Students are not allowed to use advanced automated tools
(Artificial Intelligence or Machine Learning tools) such as ChatGPT,
DALL.E, Bard, Bing, Copilot, etc., on any assignments
(exams, labs, homework, lecture and lab activities, etc.) in this course.
Each student is expected to complete each assignment
without substantive assistance from others,
including advanced automated tools.
If you use AI tools to complete your assignments,
it will be considered cheating,
and you will receive a grade of 0 (zero)
It is not recommended to use AI tools as study aids for this course.
It is advisable to rely on instructor-approved textbooks and
course materials to ensure you are learning the correct information.
AI tools can often provide inaccurate or
misleading outputs, which may contain mistakes or errors.
Using these tools could make your learning more difficult
rather than helping you.
Attendance Policy
Academic Fraud
The Science Division strictly
enforces the
University's policy on cheating and other forms of academic fraud.
Student Academic Grievance Procedure
If a student
has a
grievance concerning a class in which he/she is enrolled, he/she
will
first try to resolve the problem with the instructor of the class.
If it
is impossible to resolve the matter at this level, then the
grievance must
be placed in writing and appealed in the following order:
- Division or Program Head
- Dean of Arts and Sciences
(Arts and Sciences Academic Council)
- Provost of the University
- University Academic Council
All student grievances will first be referred to the
class instructor
before they are treated at the level of the Division Head.
Learning Accommodations
In accordance with the Americans with
Disabilities
Act, any student has the right to request reasonable accommodation of a
disability. Accommodations can be requested through Academic Support
Services, Disabilities Services (520 E. 14th St., 610-499-1266). Disabilities
Services is the office that authorizes all accommodations on campus. Please
note that you will need to present documentation of your disability to
Disabilities Services. It is important to make this request as soon as
possible so that we will have time to make any necessary arrangements
Academic Support, Guidance & Skills-Building Resources
Widener mySuccess Plan website
Electronic Devices in the Classroom
- NO CELL PHONES. Cell phones must be turned off for the
duration of
the
lecture and lab.
- All electronic devices except cell phones
are permitted
Evaluation Criteria (Grading)
Your grade for this course is divided into two categories:
-
In Class Quizzes and Lab Assignments
- In Class Practice Labs and
Homework.
Final Grade
| In Class Quizzes and Lab Assignments | 70% |
| In Class Practice Labs and Homework | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
| A: | 95 - 100 |
| A-: | 90 - 94 |
| B+: | 87 - 89 |
| B: | 83 - 86 |
| B-: | 80 - 82 |
| C+: | 77 - 79 |
| C: | 73 - 76 |
| C-: | 70 - 72 |
| D+: | 67 - 69 |
| D: | 60 - 66
|
| F: | 59 - 0 |
All information in this document is subject to change
throughout the semester. Check the course website and your
Widener e-mail regularly, any
changes will be indicated on the course website and sent by e-mail.
Students will be notified about
any change at least one week in advance.