Android Forensics: Investigation, Analysis and Mobile Security for Google Android

by Andrew Hoog

Overview

Android Forensics: Investigation, Analysis, and Mobile Security for Google Android provides the background, techniques and analysis tools you need to effectively investigate an Android phone. This book offers a thorough review of the Android platform, including the core hardware and software components, file systems and data structures, data security considerations, and forensic acquisition techniques and strategies for the subsequent analysis require d. this book is ideal for the classroom as it teaches readers not only how to forensically acquire Android devices but also how to apply actual forensic techniques to recover data.

The book lays a heavy emphasis on open source tools and step-by-step examples and includes information about Android applications needed for forensic investigations. It is organized into seven chapters that cover the history of the Android platform and its internationalization; the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) and the Android Market; a brief tutorial on Linux and Android forensics; and how to create an Ubuntu-based virtual machine (VM). The book also considers a wide array of Android-supported hardware and device types, the various Android releases, the Android software development kit (SDK), the Davlik VM, key components of Android security, and other fundamental concepts related to Android forensics, such as the Android debug bridge and the USB debugging setting. In addition, it analyzes how data are stored on an Android device and describes strategies and specific utilities that a forensic analyst or security engineer can use to examine an acquired Android device.

Core Android developers and manufacturers, app developers, corporate security officers, and anyone with limited forensic experience will find this book extremely useful. It will also appeal to computer forensic and incident response professionals, including commercial/private sector contractors, consultants, and those in federal government.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781597496513
Publisher:	Elsevier Science
Publication date:	06/15/2011
Pages:	432
Product dimensions:	7.40(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Andrew Hoog is a computer scientist, certified forensic analyst (GCFA and CCE), computer and mobile forensics researcher, former adjunct professor (assembly language) and owner of viaForensics, an innovative computer and mobile forensic firm. He divides his energies between investigations, research and training about the computer and mobile forensic discipline. He writes computer/mobile forensic how-to guides, is interviewed on radio programs and lectures and trains both corporations and law enforcement agencies. As the foremost expert in Android Forensics, he leads expert level training courses, speaks frequently at conferences and is writing a book on Android forensics.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Android and Mobile Forensics Chapter 2. Android Hardware Platforms Chapter 3. Android Software Development Kit and Android Debug Bridge Chapter 4. Android File Systems and Data Structures Chapter 5. Android Device, Data and App Security Chapter 6. Android Forensic Techniques Chapter 7. Android Application and Forensic Analysis

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

This book provides the background, techniques and analysis tools you need to effectively investigate an Android phone.

Editorial Reviews

"If you want to truly understand and perform forensics on Android this is the book. There is no other reference that goes to this level of detail on the Android operating systems idiosyncrasies and quirks. Android Forensics is a must have for the mobile device examiner’s bookshelf." —Jim Steele, Director of Digital Forensics , a Tier 1 Wireless Carrier

"Andrew Hoog in his latest book, Android Forensics, provides exceptionally well written coverage of Android for the Computer Forensics Investigator. No small task given the ever changing nature of Google’s preeminent mobile operating system." —Matthew M. Shannon, Principal, F-Response

"…provides an excellent and comprehensive coverage of the Android platform, including its design, implementation, operation, investigation and analysis. At 364 pages of content, organized over seven chapters, with a focus on the ‘practical’ – demonstrating system design, implementation, operation and investigation, for instance, through hands-on "experiments" – this sizable text will resonate particularly well with readers disposed to activity-centric, learning-by-doing styled narrative. The text is peppered throughout with device and application (GUI) screenshots, as well as command line execution/output and directory listings."—InfosecReviews.com

"In conclusion, we feel that Android Forensics is a good introduction to a field that still seems very ‘fresh’ and new to forensic examiners… As a quick reference during forensic analysis, the last chapter proves to be an excellent resource." —Computer and Security

"At 364 pages of content, organized-over seven chapters, with a focus on-the ‘practical’ – demonstrating system design, implementation, operation and investigation, for instance, through hands- on "experiments" – this sizable text will resonate particularly well with readers disposed to activity-centric, learning-by- doing styled narrative…With a practical focus from the outset that includes how to acquire and install the Android SDK and build an Android Virtual Device (AVD), this text is particularly suited to those disposed to a hands-on approach to learning about the Android platform from a security and investigation perspective." —Best Digital Forensics Book in InfoSecReviews Book Awards

From the Publisher