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Alternative Browsers Impede Investigations

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the all-the-more-reason-to-switch dept.

rbochan writes "Allegations in an article over at CNET propose that alternate browsers such as Firefox and Opera impede law enforcement and investigation efforts because they "use different structures, files and naming conventions for the data that investigators are after", which can "cause trouble for examiners.""

5 of 720 comments (clear)

  1. It's *not* rocket science, guys... by TripMaster+Monkey · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This is one of the dumbest articles I've read in a while...

    From TFA:
    Internet Explorer hides nothing from police and other investigators who examine PCs to discover which sites the user has visited.
    Implying that 'alternate browsers' such as Firefox and Opera, 'hide' data? Shenanigans! These other browsers don't 'hide' anything...you just have to know where to look.

    Also from TFA:
    These programs use different structures, files and naming conventions for the data that investigators are after. And files are in a different location on the hard drive, which can cause trouble for examiners.
    You can't be serious. If it's this easy to thwart the authorities, maybe I should tender my resume.
    God help these 'professionals' if a suspect's computer happens to run Linux...which brings up a disturbing thought...is the presence of a 'non-standard' browser or OS now going to be 'suspicious' to investigators, because they can't seem to penetrate its 'arcane secrets'?
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    ~ |rip/\/\aster /\/\onkey

    1. Re:It's *not* rocket science, guys... by RetroGeek · · Score: 5, Insightful

      There you go, transparent encrypted directory

      Which means it is transparent to the logged in user, which means it is transparent to the virus/ trojan horse/ spyware.

      And your point?

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      I am a programmer. I am paid to produce syntax not grammar. Deal with it.
    2. Re:It's *not* rocket science, guys... by Total_Wimp · · Score: 5, Insightful

      It is dumb because software isn't to be designed with 'criminal investigator usability' as a design consideration.

      But I wish more software was designed with leaving a small or non-existant trail as a design consideration.

      When I speak on the phone, none of it get's recorded unless someone makes a special effort to do so. I would hope my computing experience could be the same.

      And I really hate the idea that a bunch of you people are thinking I'm some kind of major criminal for wanting it that way. If you happen to be one of the ones that think I should be happy to have everything logged, then please set up a web cam in your bedroom and tape everything that happens. After all, there really isn't any chance of it falling into the wrong hands and law enforcement might need to check those tapes to make sure you're not snorting coke in there. Cops are good people and none of them will laugh about what you're doing witht that banana. I promise.

      TW

  2. Dear god no! by Rei · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Heaven forbid that they have to learn to deal with a different file layout. I mean, it's not like these are supposed to be skilled professionals practicing their trade here...

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    sed "s/SJW.*$/... never mind. I was about to say something stupid, and also, I'm a troglodyte./Ig"
  3. Professional white-hat script kiddies by Kelson · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It sounds like a lot of the people doing this kind of investgation aren't actually computer experts, but using pre-packaged software or following a list of directions someone has tailored for IE.

    Effectively, they're professional script kiddies working for the common good instead of against it.

    The lesson? Training. You wouldn't put a detective in the morgue and hand him a scalpel, and you wouldn't drop him in a science lab. You'd hire a coroner, you'd hire someone trained in forensic science. If you're going to search someone's computer for evidence, hire an expert or train someone to become an expert.