Mobile Forensics - The File Format Handbook: Common File Formats and File Systems Used in Mobile Devices

This open-access book provides a summary of knowledge about various file systems and file formats commonly used in mobile devices. It includes information about popular file systems like APFS, Ext4, F2FS, and QNX6, as well as file formats like SQLite, Property Lists, Java Serialization, Realm, and Protocol Buffers. The book is intended to serve as a reference guide for digital forensic practitioners and students interested in the field of digital forensics.

Format: Hardback
Length: 269 pages
Publication date: 04 May 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This comprehensive open-access book provides a thorough overview of various file systems and file formats commonly utilized in mobile devices. In addition to offering a fundamental description of these formats, it also includes valuable insights into the potential forensic significance of potential artifacts, along with an outline of tools that can decode the relevant data. The book is meticulously organized into two distinct sections:

Part I explores several prevalent file systems employed in mobile devices.

APFS: This file system is exclusive to modern Apple devices, encompassing iPhones, iPads, and even Apple Computers such as the MacBook series.

Ext4: Ext4 is a widely adopted file system in Android devices, succeeding the Ext2 and Ext3 file systems commonly used on Linux-based computers.

F2FS: Developed by Samsung Electronics in 2012, F2FS is a Linux system specifically designed for NAND Flash memory, which is commonly found in removable storage devices and mobile devices.

QNX6: This file system is present in smartphones offered by Blackberry (such as devices running Blackberry 10) and modern vehicle infotainment systems that utilize QNX as their operating system.

Part II delves into five commonly used file formats in the mobile realm.

SQLite: Nearly ubiquitous in mobile devices, SQLite dominates the landscape with the majority of mobile applications storing their data within these databases.

Property Lists: Predominantly found on Apple devices, Property Lists serve as a secondary file format for storing data.

Java Serialization: Java Serialization is a widely employed technique within the Java programming language for storing object states, particularly in mobile application development. Developers often utilize this technique to ensure the persistence of their application's state.

Realm: Realm is a mobile database solution that offers a high level of abstraction and simplicity, making it a popular choice among developers for managing data in mobile applications.

Weight: 594g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030984663
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022