Inside the Core
The Macintosh Forensic Podcast


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Disclaimer:
The Inside the Core podcast is provided for entertainment only. Any information, techniques, software or equipment that is discussed should be researched, tested and validated prior to use. This podcast is not a substitute for specialized training that is required for computer forensics. The topics of discussion and/or opinions are those of the host(s) and do not reflect the views of the hosts employers or former employers. Discussion of content, goods, or services provided by outside entities does not imply endorsement. Nothing in the podcast should be construed as an offer, solicitation or recommendation to buy or sell any specific products or training.

Episode 3 Show Notes Sorry it took so long but the show notes for Episode 3 are ready. You can either read a shortened version below or download the PDF. The PDF has images that help explain some of the locations and other aspects of what was discussed.

Download Show Notes

Safari Internet Cache:

Original location for Safari 2 and early 3:
     - Users/USERNAME/Library/Caches/Safari/
     - Files were given Unique ID and extension of .cache 

Version 3: switched to a sqlite database file and moved the cache to /var/folders

-Location: /var/folders/(UniqueID)/(UniqueID)/caches/com.apple.Safari
-Cache.db file

-If in Windows environment, ie. Encase, you will not see “/var/folders”, instead it will be:
      -/private/var/folders/(UniqueID)/(UniqueID)/caches/com.apple.Safari

-var/folders view on Mac is called “soft link” as Private is implied

Latest Safari Ver 3 & Version 4 moves the cache back to:

Users/USERNAME/Library/Caches\com.apple.safari

- The Cache.db file resides here. Probable change was security based as it placed te file back in the users folder.

Viewing Safari Cache:

SQLite DB Browser 1.3:

Database: can use SQLite DB browser 1.3 from Sourceforge
-Displays the .db tables
-Example: “Response Table”: has website URL and Date/Time Stamp in GMT

Filejuicer:
-Drop the Cache.db on Filejuicer and it will parse the data out
-Images, HTML, TXT, etc.

Incident Response/Trusted Utilities:
-Often times, whenever out on scene, it is an unknown environment
-Must consider all machines to be unknown and applications possibly  
  altered
-Best way to prepare is to have our own trusted utilities disk
-Recommend a flash drive, minimum 4 GB to use
-If PowerPC: recommend Firewire, if Intel: recommend USB

Trusted Utilities Drive:

1. Disk Initialization (formatting for you Microsofties): Use Disk Utility
    to initialize the drive and wipe it prior to placing tools on it.
2. Put on utilities: i.e. Terminal, System Profiler, etc.
3. Rule of thumb: Command Line Tools/GUI Tools/Evidence Collection.
4. Name the Volume/Disk something you will recognize i.e.
    “RyansTrusted Utilities" This eliminates confusion on Suspectʼs
    desktop
5. Run Trusted Utilities: Date, System Profiler and export information to
   Evidence Collection.
6. Keep record of the commands run for later review and reporting, i.e.
    use PDF printout from Mac builtin utilities.
7. Remember to direct your path to the Trusted Utilities Disk as you are
    never sure what the suspect has done to their machine. Control your 
    environment.


PList(s) of the Week(PLOW):

Address Book:

/Users/USERNAME/Library/Preferences/addressbookme.plist:
-This PList originates information entered at Registration
-Can contain: First Name, Last Name, Local Phone #, Street Address 1     
  and 2, City, State, Zip, Area Code, Local Phone#, Company, Existing  
  email address

/Users/USERNAME/Library/Preferences/com.apple.addressbook.plist:
-Covers the settings for the address book entries
-Print Dialog Setting

/Users/USERNAME/Library/ApplicationSupport/addressbook/metadata:
-Unique User ID # for each “address book entry”
-File saved as “UUID/ABPerson.abcdp
-Viewable with Plist Editor or by copying out and dropping in  
  AddressBook

Users/USERNAME/Library/ApplicationSupport/AddressBook/images:
UUID matches the Metadata UUID
-This is the image that represents the corresponding address book entry
 
To View in Address Book:
1. Create a clean User account.
2. Copy the suspect com.apple.AddressBook folder and drop into the
    corresponding location in the new account. Also, copy and drop 
    AddressBookMe.plist
3. Open Address Book and then you can view and print out the entries.

Host at Large Reggie “Good Stuff” Chapman:

Part One of his series on the Terminal & Commands

Terminal:
-Darwin: Open Source Unix Core of MacOSX
-Terminal located in /Applications/Utilities
-Drag and place on your dock for quick access
-Change the Terminal to fit your settings, color, size
-Click on “Terminal --> Preferences” (LEOPARD)
-”Settings” box allows to change:
-Text, Window, Shell, Keyboard, and other Advanced Changes

 -RYANʼs TEMPLATE OF CHOICE: OCEAN is a good setting for Court Presentation

Websites of the Week

MACOSXHINTS.com:
-Site that has a blog theme
-People post ideas/ways to solve problems
-Has Forum to help research issues and find answers
-Good App and Scripting resource

Developer.Apple.Com:
-Has the technical notes for Macs
-Tech Note 1150: HFS File System
-Free Utilities and information 
Category:general -- posted at: 7:35am PDT