Investigating Edge-Based Browsers: A Forensic Guide/Browser analysis Book

In today's digital age, understanding browser data is essential for cybersecurity investigations and digital forensics. Browsers store a wealth of information that can provide critical insights into user behavior, online activities, and potential security threats.

Determine Sites Visited

The first step in browser data analysis is to identify the websites visited by the user. This involves reviewing various browser data components:

1. Review History Data:

   • Search Keywords: Identify the keywords searched by the user.

   • Review Transition Info: Check for typed URLs to understand direct user navigation.

2. Audit Preferences File:

   • Look for visited sites and synchronization information stored in the preferences file.

3. Parse Download History:

   • Analyze the list of downloaded files to identify potentially relevant downloads.

4. Audit Bookmarks:

   • Review the list of bookmarked sites to understand user interests and frequently visited websites.

5. Analyze Collections Database:

   • Look for collections of websites saved by the user for future reference.

6. Look for Other Profiles:

   • Investigate if there are multiple user profiles within the browser to uncover additional data sources.

   
   

Fill in Evidence Gaps

Next, it's essential to fill in any evidence gaps by reviewing additional browser data components:

1. Review Cache Domains:

   • Analyze specific file types of interest stored in the browser cache.

2. Review Cookie Domains:

   • Examine cookies to identify user sessions and interactions with websites.

3. Search Session Recovery Files:

   • Look for session recovery files that store data from the user's browsing sessions.

4. Analyze Web Data, Shortcuts, and Network Action Predictor Entries:

   • Review these data components to uncover further evidence of user activities.

5. Audit Browser Extensions:

   • Investigate installed browser extensions to understand their potential impact on user behavior.

6. Snapshots Folder:

   • Check the snapshots folder for saved browser states that can provide additional insights.

7. Review IE History:

   • If Internet Explorer was used, review its history data for relevant information.

   
   

Deep Dive Analysis

For a more thorough investigation, perform a deep dive analysis on specific browser data components:

1. Search Web Storage:

   • Examine web storage for data stored by websites, including local storage and session storage.

2. Review Sync Data Database:

   • Analyze synchronization data to understand how user data is synced across devices.

3. Audit Edge Jumplist Entries:

   • Review the Edge jumplist entries to identify recently accessed websites and files.

4. Carve Deleted SQLite:

   • Recover deleted SQLite database files that may contain valuable information.

5. Review Memory-Based Artifacts:

   • Investigate incognito artifacts and other memory-based data that may provide additional evidence.

6. Targeted Analysis Using Volume Shadow Copies:

   • Utilize volume shadow copies to recover and analyze older versions of browser data.

   
   

By systematically following these steps, cybersecurity investigators and digital forensic analysts can uncover a comprehensive picture of user activities and potential security threats. Browser data analysis is a powerful tool in the fight against cybercrime, providing invaluable insights that can make or break an investigation.

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