There are several steps that are taken in a civil suit when involved with computer forensics. The steps begin with preparation, which includes checking the size of the hard drive and the names of the users on the system. Next, you identify who, what, where, when, why, and how. This works because you identify who used the computer, where they used the computer, what sites they visited, when they decided to use the computer, how they logged into the computer and with what IP address, and finally why they visited the sites that were written there. The next step is the disk drive imaging of the hard drive of the computer, which includes taking all of the files and unallocated space from the computer in question. Then you would review the files that you obtained, and you can use such programs as Encase in order to observe the files. Finally you observe the unallocated space and slack space at the end of the disk drive, and observe the files you require.

Figure 1

Computer Forensic Investigator

There are also several agencies that inquire to the use of computer forensics in their field of work. These agencies include the TLSI Inc. Strategic Forensics Group

IACIS, and also include the Biscayne Professional Associates, Lang Consultants, and the Mellon Forensic Group.

Figure 2

Finally you could also change the privacy controls on your Internet explorer icon to block off inappropriate sites where you may be getting harassed from. If you need more advice on on-line harassment visit the web site http://public.findlaw.com/employment_employer/life_events/le9_6understanding.html

The next topic is computer slander. As a class, we went over computer slander during a reading that was assigned to us during class. As we previously read in class, on January 26, 2001, Nam Tai Electronics, Inc alleged that the unknown individuals had posted "false, defamatory, and otherwise unlawful messages" on an Internet message board. Nam Tai then proceeded to file a subpoena duces tecum in a bid to make AOL reveal personal information about "scovey2," which was an account that posted slanderous remarks about the company. AOL argued that this violated the First Amendment, which gives the right to speak anonymously. The courts, however, affirmed their statement and forced AOL to give records regarding "scovey2."

Also, computer evidence is prevalent in divorce cases for many different reasons, mainly because the spouse believes that he or she can find incriminating evidence located on the computer. Computer forensics specialists are capable of finding electronic data on computer systems that often reveals a "smoking gun" against a spouse. Computer forensics specialists are able to locate hidden files in order to find incriminating evidence such as personal e-mails, letters to others, and other inappropriate content. These incriminating files can be found in word processing files, spreadsheet files, financial management software files, email files, image files, and Internet history.