Computer Forensics & Data Recovery

X-ways Forensics is a piece of forensic software that has been around for awhile now. I took a look at it about a year ago, while impressed, I wasn’t quite ready to shell out the almost 1000 US Dollars to purchase it. Recently, I requested another trial of the software. I did some testing and experimentation with the software.

I was very impressed with its user interface and its abilities. One thing that it does that is very nice is sorting pictures by skin tone percentage. If you work a lot of cases where that is a big factor, like I do, that is a GREAT time saving tool. It will save me a lot of time browsing assorted photos and cached website graphics.

The interface is usable and as intuitive as forensic software gets. This software is not really for the casual computer user. I would recommend it more for people on the tech level of forensic examiners and network administrators.

The ability to interpret NTFS and locate deleted files was excellent.

BEST OF ALL, it did not freeze or crash once while I was testing it. This is very unlike some high priced forensic software I have at work….. Examiners have a motto for this other software, “Save early and save often!” X-Ways seems to be far more stable and it cost less than half as much.

After I purchase it, I will try to get back with a more detailed review.

Well. I have finally gave into getting a smartphone. For anyone totally unfamiliar, they are basically a phone, PDA, camera, and internet appliance… all in one.

I held off getting one, waiting for prices to come down and them to become truly useful. I have to say, so far, it has saved me many computer boot-ups to answer support requests and emails. I love being able to take photos, and them instantly upload online. Being able to access Google Maps and Microsoft LiveSearch on the road is great, for driving, touring , and my police work. I can easily record tasks and appointments to my Google calendar then receive text message reminders to my phone.

One of the things I have really loved is the ability to make use wasted previously wasted time.  Lets say for instance, I am stuck sitting waiting for an appointment.  Instead of staring at the clock or some magazine I really don’t care about, I pull out my smart phone.  I read my email, tech news reports, national news… whatever.  Instead of my blood pressure going through the roof at the time I am wasting, I am pretty content getting to read news stories I enjoy.  If you are into technology and computers….. there is always something that needs to be read to keep up!

So, if you are still no the edge… I recommend a smartphone, i-phone, ultra-mobile pc, and whatever else that is small and accesses the internet nicely.  There are lots of choices out there now.  I have personally found it worth the $300 dollars I had to pay Alltel for the phone and my $40 dollar a month data plan.

Happy Browsing and waiting in line….

I happened upon a FireFox add-on called PicLens. I have to say, “WOW!” It is an add on for Mozilla Firefox. It works with Google’s Picasa and image search, Flickr, Yahoo, and Facebook. I would assume they will be adding functionality for other sites also.

What it does, is create a nice photo slide show for images in these sites. For instance, my son is really into birds. I can do a Google image search for a specific bird. I then point at any of the image search results. I translucent play arrow appears in the corner of the photo. Click that arrow. A new window will appear. PicLens reaches out to all the various sites from the search result and grabs the full size photo. The really amazing thing happens though when you click the play arrow in the slide show view. It downloads all the search image results from various websites and plays them in a smooth slide show. Very, very cool for image browsing.

This free add-on is well worth the install!!

http://www.piclens.com/site/firefox/

Spyware is a fact of life on the internet.  I have tried several pieces of software.  Not what I would call an in depth detailed analysis or anything, but, enough to form my own opinion.

There are two pieces of software that I have found to be usefull.  One is Spybot Search & Destroy and the other is AVG Anti-Spyware.

Spybot has a database that is updated regularly.  It is effective at spyware removal.  It also “immunizes” your computer against many known threats.  It has many other tools built in for the advanced user.  I don’t recommend using the “tea timer” that  blocks registry changes.  The “tea timer” becomes annoying and cumberson over time. (I am still looking for a registy sentry I really like, stay tuned.)

AVG is probably a better product now.  The reason I say that is, even though it is free, it has a shield function (like your anti-virus) to stop spyware from getting on your computer to start with.  My spyware infections have went way down using the shield.

Pop a top, and have a drink to safer surfing!  I am about to

I love it when you see computer desks advertised for sell, they never show the cables.  We all know why, because that nasty nest of tangled wires is terrible looking.  Most houses have a computer desk that has that mass of wires.  I hate that disorganization.  (Doing computer forensics, computer repair, and investigation; I am as bad as anyone with ending up with wires and gizmos everywhere.)

Well, there is a site that has a very nice solution.  It is so elegant, it is almost like making your desk an extension of your computer case. Basically, peg board is used to mount everything vertically behind or horizontally under the desk top.

There are lots of pictures at  http://www.decluttered.com