RE: Handling, possibly, encrypted data

From: John Howie (JHowieat_private)
Date: Tue Aug 13 2002 - 11:03:10 PDT

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    Dimitris,
    
    Many binary files have a standard format, e.g. graphics and bitmap
    files. You can look at the format to see if it matches a known standard.
    
    On Windows 2000 and XP, files encrypted using EFS have information about
    the encryption stored in them in plaintext. There is also an 'encrypted'
    attribute bit.
    
    John
    
    -----Original Message-----
    From: kontoudisat_private [mailto:kontoudisat_private] 
    Sent: Monday, August 12, 2002 10:58 PM
    To: forensicsat_private
    Subject: Handling, possibly, encrypted data
    
    Hi all,
    
    I am not into the forensic business, just like the subject and 
    read a bit on it. I have this issue that I would appreciate your input
    on.
    Say you
    image a hard disk and, then, proceed to analyze the copy in
    order to produce evidence. If the files on the image are obvious
    (like .doc and stuff) then you may be in a good place. But what
    happens when you discover a chunk of binary data (a binary
    file or something) ? How can you determine the file type and,
    furthermore, how do you conclude that this file is encrypted
    (if it is) ? 
    
    Are there any tools that can do this analysis and, maybe, try out
    a decryption process ?
    
    Regards,
    Dimitris.
    
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