Definitions and Descriptions.
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Probable CauseProbable cause refers to the legal standard that must be met in order to justify the search or seizure of property or the arrest of an individual. It requires that there be a reasonable belief that a crime has been committed or is about to be committed, and that the property or person in question is connected to the crime in some way. Here are some examples of probable cause:
Probable cause must be based on specific facts and circumstances, and cannot be based on mere suspicion or speculation. It is an important legal principle that helps to protect the rights of individuals and ensure that law enforcement has a valid reason for conducting searches, seizures, or arrests. Probable cause in digital forensics refers to the standard of evidence required for a forensic investigator to justify the search, seizure, and examination of digital devices or data. In the Us, this standard is based on the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures. In order to establish probable cause in digital forensics, an investigator must provide evidence that suggests that a crime has been committed and that digital devices or data may contain evidence of that crime. This evidence may be based on a variety of factors, including witness testimony, physical evidence, or other circumstances that support the belief that a crime has been committed. Here are some examples of probable cause in digital forensics:
Overall, probable cause in digital forensics is a critical standard that must be met in order for forensic investigators to conduct searches and seizures of digital devices and data. It helps to ensure that the privacy rights of individuals are protected while also allowing investigators to gather the necessary evidence to solve crimes and bring perpetrators to justice | |
Purple TeamA purple team is an internal security team that combines the skills of both red and blue teams to create comprehensive security solutions. Red teams are responsible for offensive actions, such as penetration testing and simulation of attacks, while blue teams are responsible for defensive actions such as system hardening and incident response. Purple teams use a combination of both offensive and defensive techniques to increase their structured review of systems and networks. They use the same tools and techniques employed in the red and blue teams, but take extra time to analyze the results and suggest corrective measures to improve the security of the system or network. Purple teams also focus on testing and validating an organization’s security processes, such as policy, patch management, backup and recovery. This ensures that operational and security processes are understood and correctly configured. Further, purple teams ensure that the organization conducts periodic testing and maintains up-to-date procedures and processes. The goal of purple teams is to augment the capabilities of red and blue teams to explore the most important vulnerabilities and proactively ensure that the organization’s defenses remain secure. This typically includes the following steps:
Purple teams enable organizations to have a comprehensive view of their security posture. By combining the perspectives of red and blue teams, organizations can gain a more holistic view of the network and identify any weaknesses or threat vectors. Furthermore, purple teams can increase security levels and proactively safeguard the organization’s networks and infrastructure against external threats. | |
Pyramid of PainThe threat hunting pyramid of pain is a concept that describes the progression of an adversary's actions in an attack, from initial access to the final goal of the attack. It is a way for security professionals to visualize and understand the different stages of an attack and how they can detect and respond to it. The pyramid consists of five levels:
In threat hunting, security professionals will look for indicators of compromise at each level of the pyramid, starting with initial access and working their way up. For example, they might look for phishing emails or suspicious activity in system logs to identify initial access. They might then look for signs of malware execution or persistence, such as strange processes running or changes to system policies. By understanding the steps an adversary takes in an attack, security professionals can better detect and respond to threats. | |
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RansomewareRansomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim's files, rendering them inaccessible until a ransom is paid to the attacker to restore access. The ransom is typically demanded in the form of cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin, in order to maintain the anonymity of the attacker. Ransomware attacks can be particularly devastating for individuals and organizations, as they can result in the loss of important data and disruption of business operations. In some cases, victims may be unable to recover their data even if the ransom is paid, as there is no guarantee that the attacker will actually restore access to the files. There are several types of ransomware, including:
One well-known example of ransomware is the WannaCry attack, which affected thousands of organizations and individuals in 2017. The WannaCry ransomware encrypted victims' files and demanded a ransom of $300 in Bitcoin in order to restore access. Overall, ransomware is a serious threat to individuals and organizations, and can result in significant financial and operational losses. It is important to take measures to protect against ransomware, such as keeping software and security systems up to date and regularly backing up data. | |
Red TeamA cyber red team is a type of security assessment that involves simulating real-world attack scenarios within an organization’s network environment in order to identify any existing weaknesses or vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors. A cyber security red team is essentially a specialized group of cyber security professionals who use their knowledge of the latest attack techniques to test a company’s security posture across the entirety of its networks and systems. The primary goal of a cyber red team is to identify and assess any potential threats and vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors. The cyber red team generally consists of experienced professionals with a deep understanding of the cyber security landscape and the latest attack techniques. They are often skilled in advanced penetration testing, detailed SecOps, forensics, and threat intelligence. Cyber red teams are typically employed by organizations to constantly assess their security posture and ensure that their networks and systems are secure against potential threats. In addition to assessing a company’s security posture, the cyber red team may also be tasked with looking for any areas of weakness within the organization’s policies and procedures. This can include evaluating the effectiveness of employee training and security policies, as well as ensuring that the organization is following the latest government regulations. Once any weak spots have been identified, the cyber red team works with the organization to develop security measures and best practices for addressing them. Essentially, the cyber red team provides organizations with in-depth security assessments of their current security posture and helps them identify any areas of improvement. By acting as a proactive security measure, the cyber red team helps organizations reduce the risk of being compromised by malicious actors and protect the security of their networks and systems. | |
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Script KiddieA script kiddie (also known as a skiddie) is an individual who uses pre-written scripts or code—often stolen or borrowed without permission or knowledge—to attack computer systems or networks. Script kiddies are not necessarily malicious hackers, and the term is often used to describe those with little or no technical knowledge who use scripts or programs written by more skilled hackers to launch simple attacks against unsuspecting victims. These attacks typically involve using vulnerable programs to gain unauthorized access to systems, networks, or websites. For example, a script kiddie may borrow or steal someone else’s script or program and use it to exploit vulnerable software and gain access to the system. Script kiddies will often target systems or networks for their own amusement and may not have any malicious intent. Though script kiddies may possess some basic knowledge of computer programming and coding, they often lack the technical expertise necessary to understand the risks associated with their attacks. As a result, their activities may cause unnecessary disruption or damage to systems. The term "script kiddie" is often used negatively and viewed derogatorily by experienced hackers and cybersecurity professionals. Script kiddies are often viewed as irresponsible and reckless, and their activities can be dangerous for both them and those they target. | |
SDRAn SDR radio, or software-defined radio, is a radio communication system that uses software to define the characteristics of the radio signal. This allows the radio to be reconfigured and adapt to different frequencies and modes without the need for hardware changes. SDR radios have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their flexibility and ability to support a wide range of communication protocols. They can be used for a variety of purposes, including amateur radio, military communications, and commercial applications. One of the key benefits of SDR radios is that they can be easily modified and customized using software. This allows users to adapt the radio to their specific needs and requirements, rather than being limited to the capabilities of a fixed hardware design. For example, an amateur radio operator may use an SDR radio to receive and transmit on a wide range of frequencies, including shortwave, medium wave, and high frequency. They may also use software to add features such as digital voice decoding or automatic frequency control. Another example of an SDR radio is the HackRF, which is a low-cost, open-source SDR radio that can be used for a variety of purposes, including wireless testing, RF analysis, and digital signal processing. The HackRF can be programmed and modified using software, making it a popular choice among hobbyists and researchers. Overall, SDR radios are a versatile and flexible tool for radio communication, and can be customized and adapted to a wide range of purposes using software. They offer a cost-effective and efficient alternative to traditional hardware-based radios. | |
SIGINTSigint, or Signals Intelligence, refers to the collection and analysis of electronic signals and communications for the purpose of obtaining strategic, military, or intelligence information. This can include intercepting and analyzing phone calls, emails, and other electronic communication, as well as tracking and analyzing satellite and radar signals. Examples of Sigint activities include:
Overall, Sigint is an important tool for intelligence agencies to gather and analyze information about foreign governments, military activities, and other strategic information that may be relevant to national security. | |
Sock PuppetA sock puppet account for investigations is a fake or dummy account that is used by investigators for the purpose of gathering information or conducting covert operations. This can be done for a variety of reasons, such as to gather intelligence on a suspect, to infiltrate a group or organization, or to gather evidence in a criminal or civil case. One example of a sock puppet account for investigations might be an investigator creating a fake social media account and using it to interact with a suspect or group of suspects in order to gather information about their activities. The investigator might use the account to ask questions, make small talk, or even try to befriend the suspects in order to gain their trust and gather more information about their activities. Another example might be an investigator creating a fake account and using it to pose as a member of a particular group or organization in order to gather intelligence about their operations or activities. This could involve the investigator joining online forums or chat groups, participating in discussions, and gathering information about the group's beliefs, goals, and activities. To make a sock puppet account for online investigations, follow these steps:
There are several operational security (OPSEC) considerations to keep in mind when using sock puppet accounts for investigations:
Overall, it is important to be mindful of OPSEC considerations when using sock puppet accounts for investigations in order to protect the integrity of the investigation and avoid compromising sensitive information. Overall, sock puppet accounts for investigations are a valuable tool for investigators as they allow them to gather information and evidence in a covert and non-intrusive manner. By using a fake account, investigators can gather valuable intelligence without arousing suspicion or alerting suspects to their presence. | |