cypherpunk-cheats/anti-forensics.cheat

% anti-forensics, counter-forensics, evidence-elimination, privacy-defense

# ============================================================================
# ANTI-FORENSICS OVERVIEW
# ============================================================================

# Anti-forensics definition
# Techniques to prevent, detect, or defeat forensic analysis
# Goal: Protect privacy, not facilitate illegal activity

# Legal considerations
# Anti-forensics for privacy is legal in most jurisdictions
# Destruction of evidence under investigation = illegal
# Know your local laws

# Forensic process (what we're defending against)
# 1. Acquisition: Creating forensic image of device
# 2. Preservation: Maintaining evidence integrity
# 3. Analysis: Examining data, recovering deleted files
# 4. Reporting: Documenting findings

# Anti-forensic categories
# 1. Data hiding (encryption, steganography)
# 2. Data destruction (secure deletion, wiping)
# 3. Trail obfuscation (log clearing, timestamp manipulation)
# 4. Attack against forensic tools

# ============================================================================
# ENCRYPTION (FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE)
# ============================================================================

# Full disk encryption (FDE)
# Makes forensic acquisition useless without passphrase
# See veracrypt.cheat for detailed guide

# LUKS encryption (Linux)
sudo cryptsetup luksFormat /dev/sdX
sudo cryptsetup luksOpen /dev/sdX encrypted_drive

# Check if drive is encrypted
lsblk -f

# File encryption
# See gpg.cheat, age.cheat for file-level encryption

# Encrypted containers (VeraCrypt)
# Hidden volumes (plausible deniability)
# See veracrypt.cheat

# ============================================================================
# SECURE FILE DELETION
# ============================================================================

# Comprehensive secure deletion guide
# See secure-deletion.cheat for full details

# Quick secure delete
shred -vfz -n 3 <file>
$ file: echo "sensitive.txt"

# Wipe free space (removes "deleted" files)
sfill -v /home/

# Clear file system journal
# Ext4 journal may contain file fragments
sudo debugfs -w /dev/sdX -R "zap_journal"

# ============================================================================
# METADATA REMOVAL
# ============================================================================

# Remove file metadata (see metadata-removal.cheat)
exiftool -all= <file>
$ file: echo -e "document.pdf\\nphoto.jpg"

# Metadata in file systems
# Access time (atime), modify time (mtime), change time (ctime)

# Disable atime updates (reduces forensic artifacts)
sudo mount -o remount,noatime /

# Make permanent in /etc/fstab
# /dev/sdX  /mount_point  ext4  defaults,noatime  0  2

# Touch file to change timestamps
touch -t <timestamp> <file>
$ timestamp: echo "202501010000"
$ file: echo "document.txt"

# ============================================================================
# LOG FILE MANAGEMENT
# ============================================================================

# System logs (forensic goldmine)
# /var/log/ - main log directory
# /var/log/auth.log - authentication attempts
# /var/log/syslog - system events
# ~/.bash_history - command history

# Clear bash history
history -c
rm ~/.bash_history

# Disable bash history for session
unset HISTFILE

# Clear systemd journal logs
sudo journalctl --vacuum-time=1d
sudo journalctl --vacuum-size=10M

# Clear specific log files
sudo truncate -s 0 /var/log/auth.log
sudo truncate -s 0 /var/log/syslog

# Disable logging temporarily (dangerous!)
sudo systemctl stop rsyslog
sudo systemctl stop systemd-journald

# Shred log files
sudo find /var/log -type f -exec shred -vfz -n 1 {} \\;

# ============================================================================
# BROWSER FORENSICS COUNTERMEASURES
# ============================================================================

# Browser artifacts
# - History (URLs visited)
# - Cache (page content, images)
# - Cookies (tracking, session data)
# - Downloads (file list, sources)
# - Form data (autofill information)
# - Passwords (encrypted, but vulnerable)

# Clear Firefox data
rm -rf ~/.mozilla/firefox/*/cache2/*
rm -rf ~/.mozilla/firefox/*/cookies.sqlite
rm -rf ~/.mozilla/firefox/*/places.sqlite

# Or use browser settings
# CTRL+SHIFT+DEL → Everything → Clear Now

# Use private browsing mode
# Firefox: CTRL+SHIFT+P
# Chrome: CTRL+SHIFT+N

# Better: Use Tor Browser (see tor.cheat)
# No local forensic artifacts

# ============================================================================
# MEMORY (RAM) FORENSICS COUNTERMEASURES
# ============================================================================

# Cold boot attacks
# RAM retains data briefly after power off
# Forensic tools can capture RAM contents

# Defense: Overwrite RAM on shutdown
# Create shutdown script
sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/wipe-ram.service

# Add:
# [Unit]
# Description=Wipe RAM on shutdown
# DefaultDependencies=no
# Before=shutdown.target
#
# [Service]
# Type=oneshot
# ExecStart=/usr/bin/sdmem -v
#
# [Install]
# WantedBy=shutdown.target

sudo systemctl enable wipe-ram.service

# Clear swap partition
sudo swapoff -a
sudo swapon -a

# Disable swap (prevents disk-based RAM recovery)
sudo swapoff -a
sudo rm /swapfile
# Comment out swap line in /etc/fstab

# ============================================================================
# NETWORK FORENSICS COUNTERMEASURES
# ============================================================================

# Network logs contain
# - IP addresses
# - DNS queries
# - Connection timestamps
# - Protocols used

# VPN (hides traffic from ISP)
# See vpn.cheat (to be created)

# Tor (anonymizes network traffic)
# See tor.cheat

# DNS encryption
# Prevents ISP from logging DNS queries
# Use DoH (DNS-over-HTTPS) or DoT (DNS-over-TLS)

# Clear DNS cache
sudo systemd-resolve --flush-caches

# Disable network history (NetworkManager)
sudo nano /etc/NetworkManager/NetworkManager.conf
# Add:
# [main]
# no-auto-default=*

# ============================================================================
# FILE SYSTEM ANTI-FORENSICS
# ============================================================================

# File carving
# Forensic technique to recover files without file system metadata
# Defense: Overwrite free space

# Wipe free space
cat /dev/urandom > /tmp/wipefile
rm /tmp/wipefile

# Or use sfill
sfill -v /home/

# File system timestamps
# atime (access), mtime (modify), ctime (change)
# Forensic examiners use timestamps to build timeline

# Modify timestamps (anti-forensic tactic)
touch -a -t 202001010000 <file>  # Change access time
touch -m -t 202001010000 <file>  # Change modify time

# timestomp (Metasploit)
# Copies timestamps from one file to another

# ============================================================================
# SLACK SPACE & UNALLOCATED SPACE
# ============================================================================

# Slack space
# Unused space between end of file and end of cluster
# May contain remnants of previous files

# Wipe slack space
# No simple tool, requires specialized software
# Best defense: Full disk encryption

# Unallocated space
# "Deleted" files live here until overwritten
# Recovered by forensic tools (PhotoRec, Foremost)

# Wipe unallocated space
sfill -v /mount/point/

# ============================================================================
# STEGANOGRAPHY (DATA HIDING)
# ============================================================================

# Hide data in images
# Install steghide
sudo apt install steghide

# Hide file in image
steghide embed -cf cover.jpg -ef secret.txt -p <passphrase>
$ passphrase: echo "StrongPassword123"

# Extract hidden file
steghide extract -sf cover.jpg -p <passphrase>
$ passphrase: echo "StrongPassword123"

# Check for hidden data (steganalysis)
steghide info cover.jpg

# Other steganography tools
# outguess - statistical steganography
# stegosaurus - Python-based stego tool

# ============================================================================
# PLAUSIBLE DENIABILITY
# ============================================================================

# Hidden volumes (VeraCrypt)
# Encrypted volume within encrypted volume
# See veracrypt.cheat for setup

# Concept
# Outer volume: Decoy data (less sensitive)
# Hidden volume: Real secrets
# Under duress, reveal outer volume password only

# Requirements
# - Strong passwords for both volumes
# - Careful not to overwrite hidden volume
# - Realistic decoy data

# ============================================================================
# ANTI-FORENSIC OPERATING SYSTEMS
# ============================================================================

# Tails (The Amnesiac Incognito Live System)
# Leaves no trace on computer
# See secure-os.cheat for full guide

# Key anti-forensic features
# - Runs from USB (no installation)
# - RAM-only (no disk writes)
# - Secure deletion tools included
# - Tor routing (network anonymity)

# Use case: Maximum anti-forensics
# Boot Tails, do work, shutdown
# No artifacts on host computer

# ============================================================================
# SECURE COMMUNICATION (AVOIDING FORENSIC TRAILS)
# ============================================================================

# Disappearing messages
# Signal: Settings → Privacy → Disappearing messages → Enable
# Set timer: 5 seconds to 1 week

# E2EE messaging (see opsec.cheat)
# Signal, Element/Matrix, Wire
# Even if seized, messages unreadable

# Encrypted email
# ProtonMail, Tutanota (see email-privacy.cheat)
# PGP/GPG encryption (see gpg.cheat)

# ============================================================================
# DEFEATING FILE RECOVERY TOOLS
# ============================================================================

# Common forensic recovery tools
# - PhotoRec (file carving)
# - Foremost (signature-based recovery)
# - TestDisk (partition recovery)
# - Autopsy (forensic analysis suite)
# - Sleuth Kit (command-line forensics)

# Defenses
# 1. Secure deletion (shred, wipe, srm)
# 2. Encryption (LUKS, VeraCrypt)
# 3. Wipe free space (sfill)
# 4. Overwrite multiple times (7-35 passes for HDDs)

# Test recovery yourself
# Delete file → Attempt recovery with PhotoRec
# If successful, your deletion wasn't secure enough

# ============================================================================
# LIVE SYSTEM FORENSICS COUNTERMEASURES
# ============================================================================

# Live forensic acquisition
# Examiner boots seized device to extract data

# Defenses
# 1. Full disk encryption (forces examiner to ask for password)
# 2. Encrypted bootloader (GRUB password)
# 3. Auto-wipe on tamper (advanced, risky)

# GRUB password (boot protection)
# Prevents booting without password
sudo nano /etc/grub.d/40_custom

# Add:
# set superusers="root"
# password root <password_hash>

# Generate password hash
grub-mkpasswd-pbkdf2

# Update GRUB
sudo update-grub

# ============================================================================
# TIMELINE ANTI-FORENSICS
# ============================================================================

# Forensic timeline analysis
# Examiners create timeline of activity using timestamps
# Goal: Understand "what happened when"

# Anti-forensic tactics
# 1. Timestamp manipulation (touch command)
# 2. Clock tampering (change system time)
# 3. Disable atime updates

# Change system time (temporary)
sudo date -s "2020-01-01 00:00:00"

# Restore correct time
sudo ntpdate pool.ntp.org

# ============================================================================
# MOBILE DEVICE FORENSICS COUNTERMEASURES
# ============================================================================

# Mobile forensics (iOS/Android)
# Tools: Cellebrite, GrayKey, XRY

# Defenses
# 1. Strong passcode (10+ digits, alphanumeric)
# 2. Biometric + passcode (both required)
# 3. Enable encryption (default on modern devices)
# 4. Disable USB accessories when locked
# 5. Faraday bag (prevents remote wipe prevention)

# iOS hardening
# Settings → Face ID & Passcode → Require passcode immediately
# Settings → Face ID & Passcode → USB Accessories (OFF when locked)

# Android hardening
# Settings → Security → Screen lock → Password (not pattern/PIN)
# Settings → Developer options → USB debugging (OFF)

# Emergency wipe
# iOS: Wrong passcode 10 times = wipe (if enabled)
# Android: Varies by device

# ============================================================================
# CLOUD FORENSICS COUNTERMEASURES
# ============================================================================

# Cloud storage forensics
# Examiner can subpoena cloud provider
# Provider complies, provides data

# Defenses
# 1. Client-side encryption (encrypt before upload)
# 2. Use privacy-focused providers (ProtonDrive, Tresorit)
# 3. Don't rely on cloud provider "encryption" (they have keys)

# Encrypt before uploading
gpg --encrypt --recipient you@example.com file.txt
# Upload file.txt.gpg to cloud

# ============================================================================
# COUNTER-FORENSIC TOOLS
# ============================================================================

# Secure deletion
# shred, wipe, srm - See secure-deletion.cheat

# Metadata removal
# exiftool, mat2 - See metadata-removal.cheat

# Memory wiping
# sdmem (secure-delete package)
sdmem -v

# Forensic cleaner (BleachBit)
sudo apt install bleachbit
bleachbit --clean system.* firefox.*

# Timestomp (change file timestamps)
# Part of Metasploit Framework

# ============================================================================
# ANTI-FORENSIC WORKFLOW (HIGH SECURITY)
# ============================================================================

# Daily operations
# 1. Use Tails or full disk encryption
# 2. Encrypt all sensitive files (GPG/age)
# 3. Clear browser data after each session
# 4. Use disappearing messages
# 5. Avoid logging (private browsing, no bash history)

# Before device seizure (if anticipated)
# 1. Wipe free space (sfill)
# 2. Securely delete sensitive files (shred)
# 3. Clear all logs
# 4. Overwrite swap/RAM
# 5. Factory reset (if necessary)

# Emergency (device seizure imminent)
# 1. Shut down (don't sleep/hibernate)
# 2. Remove batteries (if possible)
# 3. Invoke right to remain silent
# 4. Request attorney

# ============================================================================
# FORENSIC AWARENESS (KNOW YOUR ENEMY)
# ============================================================================

# Learn forensics to defend against it
# Practice with forensic tools (on your own data)
# Understand what examiners look for

# Forensic training
# SANS FOR500 (Windows Forensics)
# SANS FOR518 (Mac Forensics)
# TCM Security courses

# Open-source forensic tools (practice)
# Autopsy - https://www.autopsy.com/
# Volatility - Memory forensics
# Sleuth Kit - File system analysis

# Test your defenses
# Delete sensitive file, attempt recovery
# If successful, improve deletion method

# ============================================================================
# LEGAL & ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
# ============================================================================

# When anti-forensics is legal
# - Privacy protection
# - Secure business data
# - Preventing corporate espionage
# - General security best practices

# When anti-forensics is illegal
# - Destroying evidence under subpoena
# - Obstruction of justice during investigation
# - Violating discovery obligations (civil litigation)

# Know your rights
# Right to remain silent (5th Amendment, US)
# Right to refuse password disclosure (varies by country)
# Right to attorney

# ============================================================================
# ANTI-FORENSIC CHECKLIST
# ============================================================================

# Prevention (before any investigation)
# [ ] Full disk encryption enabled
# [ ] Secure deletion tools configured
# [ ] Regular log clearing routine
# [ ] Metadata removal workflow
# [ ] Encrypted backups
# [ ] Disappearing messages enabled

# Detection (is forensic exam happening?)
# [ ] Watch for suspicious activity
# [ ] Check for unusual process
# [ ] Monitor network connections
# [ ] Physical security (tamper evidence)

# Response (forensic exam suspected/happening)
# [ ] Shut down cleanly (if time permits)
# [ ] Invoke legal rights (attorney, silence)
# [ ] Document everything
# [ ] Do not consent to searches (unless legally required)

# ============================================================================
# MISTAKES TO AVOID
# ============================================================================

# ❌ Deleting files with regular rm
# ✅ Use shred/wipe/srm

# ❌ Thinking "Delete" removes data
# ✅ Secure deletion + wipe free space

# ❌ Relying on encryption alone
# ✅ Encryption + secure deletion + log clearing

# ❌ Panicking and making mistakes
# ✅ Have pre-planned response procedure

# ❌ Talking to investigators without attorney
# ✅ Exercise right to remain silent

# ❌ Forgetting about cloud/backup forensics
# ✅ Encrypt before upload, control backups

# ============================================================================
# RESOURCES
# ============================================================================

# Books
# "File System Forensic Analysis" by Brian Carrier
# "The Art of Memory Forensics" by Ligh et al.
# "Practical Forensic Imaging" by Bruce Nikkel

# Tools
# Autopsy: https://www.autopsy.com/
# Sleuth Kit: https://www.sleuthkit.org/
# Volatility: https://www.volatilityfoundation.org/

# Learning
# SANS Digital Forensics courses
# TCM Security Practical Forensics
# DFIR Training: https://www.dfir.training/