Abstract
In this paper we challenge the widely accepted approach where a first responder does not capture the RAM of a computer system if found to be powered off at a crime scene. We investigate the presence of confidential data in RAM such as user passwords. Our findings show that even if the computer is switched off but not removed from the mains, the data are preserved. In fact, when a process is terminated but the computer is still operating, the respective data are more likely to be lost. Therefore capturing the memory could be as critical on a switched off system as on a running one.
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© 2012 ICST Institute for Computer Science, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering
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Karayianni, S., Katos, V. (2012). Practical Password Harvesting from Volatile Memory. In: Georgiadis, C.K., Jahankhani, H., Pimenidis, E., Bashroush, R., Al-Nemrat, A. (eds) Global Security, Safety and Sustainability & e-Democracy. e-Democracy ICGS3 2011 2011. Lecture Notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering, vol 99. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-33448-1_3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-33448-1_3
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-33447-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-33448-1
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