**Description:** Operating system forensics is a discipline within digital forensics that focuses on analyzing operating systems to recover evidence and understand system behavior. This practice involves the collection, preservation, and analysis of data from various operating systems, with the aim of identifying suspicious activities, intrusions, or anomalous behaviors. Experts in operating system forensics use specialized tools to examine log files, file structures, and other system components that may contain critical information about past events. The ability to correctly interpret this information is essential for reconstructing the sequence of events that led to a security incident. Furthermore, operating system forensics not only involves data recovery but also includes assessing system integrity and identifying vulnerabilities that may have been exploited. This discipline is fundamental in criminal investigations, security audits, and in resolving legal disputes where digital evidence can be decisive for the outcome of a case.
**History:** Operating system forensics began to take shape in the 1990s when the rise of personal computing and the use of the Internet led to an increase in cybercrime. As operating systems became more complex, the need to develop specific techniques and tools for forensic analysis emerged. In 1999, the book ‘Computer Forensics: A Pocket Guide for First Responders’ by Bruce Nikkel helped establish a framework for initial incident response and forensic analysis. Since then, the discipline has evolved with the emergence of new technologies and operating systems, leading to the creation of advanced tools that allow investigators to conduct deeper and more efficient analyses.
**Uses:** Operating system forensics is primarily used in criminal investigations to recover digital evidence related to cybercrimes, such as unauthorized access to systems, online fraud, and malware distribution. It is also applied in security audits to assess system integrity and detect vulnerabilities. Additionally, it is useful in data recovery in cases of system failures or accidental deletion of information. In the legal realm, evidence obtained through operating system forensic analysis can be presented in court as proof of criminal activities or to demonstrate the innocence of a defendant.
**Examples:** A notable case of operating system forensics was the investigation of the Sony Pictures network hack in 2014, where analysts examined the compromised operating systems to identify the source of the attack and recover stolen data. Another example is the analysis conducted after the WannaCry ransomware attack in 2017, where experts analyzed the affected systems to understand how the malware spread and what measures could be taken to prevent future incidents.
