This overview brings together all the questions and answers relating to IT forensics for private individuals on LanCologne – from hacked devices and accounts, through to cyberstalking, digital fraud and manipulated chats, photos or videos, right through to separation, family law and private expert reports for civil proceedings. Click on a category to view the relevant questions.
Cyberstalking, surveillance and stalkerware
- How can I have my device checked for spyware or stalkerware?
- Could unusual battery usage be a sign that my smartphone is being monitored?
- How can I carry out a technical investigation into cyberstalking and have digital evidence secured?
- How can I check whether my location is being shared secretly via Apple’s ‘Where Are You?’ or other location services?
- How can I check whether my location is being shared via Google or other apps?
- How can I find out whether an AirTag or Bluetooth tracker has been used to track me?
- How can I document a GPS tracker or locator I have found in a way that stands up to legal scrutiny?
- How can I have my smartphone checked for stalkerware?
- How can I have an iPhone checked for possible stalkerware or unauthorised surveillance?
- How can I check an Android device for stalkerware or hidden surveillance apps?
- How can I find out whether someone has used my camera or microphone for surveillance?
- How can I find out if someone is secretly reading my messages?
- How can I find out whether my email account is being used to monitor my communications?
- How can I find out whether WhatsApp Web or a linked device has been used without my knowledge?
- How can I carry out a forensic analysis of Family Sharing or family groups following a separation?
- How can I find out if someone is using my smart home or my security camera without authorisation?
- How can I document repeated logins from unknown accounts as a possible part of cyberstalking?
- How can I document digital threats, harassment or repeated attempts to make contact in a way that provides reliable evidence?
- How can I have deleted messages or missing online content investigated in a case of cyberstalking?
- How can I secure digital evidence without alerting a suspected stalker by making changes to the device?
- Can a private IT forensic report help my solicitor or the police in a case of cyberstalking?
- Why should I engage LanCologne if I suspect I am being cyberstalked or digitally monitored?
- How can I document threats to publish private photos or videos using forensic methods?
- How can I document repeated online harassment across multiple platforms?
- How can I ensure that the video recordings from my private CCTV camera are stored in a way that preserves their evidential value?
- How can I have footage from a doorbell or smart home camera analysed technically?
Digital fraud, blackmail and financial loss
- Following a phishing attack, how can I find out exactly what happened from a technical point of view?
- How can I find out whether my login details have actually been used following a phishing attack?
- How can I have an online banking fraud case investigated using IT forensics?
- How can I have a possible SIM swap investigated following financial loss?
- How can I have a case of credit card or card payment fraud investigated digitally?
- How can I find out whether Apple Pay, Google Wallet or a digital wallet has been misused?
- How can I document fraud involving classified adverts or online marketplaces from a technical perspective?
- How can I digitally document a fake online shop scam for the police, my bank or a solicitor?
- How can I have a case of fraud involving forged invoices or altered bank details investigated?
- How can I find out whether my email account has been misused for payment fraud?
- How can I have an identity theft investigated and documented online?
- How can I find out whether my personal data has been used for fraud following a data breach?
- How can I document a case of fraud involving a hacked social media or messaging account?
- How can I document fraud committed by a supposed relative or acquaintance in a way that provides irrefutable digital evidence?
- How can I have a QR code or link scam investigated on my smartphone?
- How can I find out whether remote support software was used on my device following a scam call?
- How can I safeguard my digital evidence following a crypto or investment scam?
- How can a private IT forensic report following online fraud help my solicitor, my bank or the police?
- Why should I commission LanCologne to carry out a digital forensics investigation following a digital fraud incident?
- How can I ensure that digital blackmail is documented in a way that stands up to scrutiny?
- How can I have a fake profile created in my name officially documented?
- How can I document identity theft on social media in a way that provides reliable evidence?
- How can I have digital defamation documented from a technical perspective?
- How can a private IT forensic report help in cases of damage to one’s reputation or identity theft?
- Why should I engage LanCologne in cases of digital blackmail, defamation or identity theft?
Separation, divorce and family law
- How can I find out whether my ex-partner still has access to my mobile phone?
- How can I find out whether my ex-partner still has access to my online accounts?
- How can I find out whether shared Apple or Google accounts are still disclosing data following a break-up?
- How can IT forensics help to establish the digital facts objectively in the event of a separation?
- How can I have joint digital accounts technically sorted out following a break-up?
- How can I find out what data has been shared via a shared cloud?
- How can I find out whether anyone still had access to my personal data following a break-up?
- How can I document digital communications in a family law dispute in a way that is admissible as evidence?
- How can I have the chat screenshots submitted in a family dispute checked to ensure they are complete and genuine?
- How can I have a complete chat history prepared for my family law solicitor?
- How can I have the authenticity of emails verified in a separation or divorce dispute?
- How can I have photos or videos from a family dispute technically analysed to determine the time they were taken and whether they have been altered?
- How can I find out whether a file comes from my own device or a shared one?
- How can I technically analyse access to shared computers following a break-up?
- How can I back up digital evidence if a shared device needs to be returned soon?
- Can an IT forensic expert simply examine my ex-partner’s smartphone or bank account?
- How can I have digital payment or transfer records technically verified in a divorce dispute?
- How can IT forensics help in disputes over family photos or files stored jointly?
- How can I have digital evidence in a custody or access case prepared objectively for my solicitor?
- What role can a private IT forensic report actually play in a case concerning the determination of parentage?
- Why should I instruct LanCologne to handle digital evidence in the event of a separation, divorce or a private legal dispute?
Checking for tampered chats, photos and videos
- How can I find out whether screenshots, payment receipts or digital confirmations have been tampered with by a fraudster?
- How can I find out whether a WhatsApp chat is genuine or has been tampered with?
- How can I find out whether a screenshot has been tampered with?
- How can I find out whether a chat message that is said to have been sent was actually on my smartphone?
- How can I tell the difference between an exported chat and the original data on my smartphone?
- How can I check whether an email is genuine or has been tampered with?
- How can I find out whether a photo has been edited?
- How can I find out when a photo was actually taken?
- How can I find out which device was used to take a photo?
- How can I find out whether a video has been edited or altered?
- How can I find out when a video was recorded or created?
- Why is a screenshot not the same as the underlying digital message?
- How can I get a published intimate image checked to see if it has been manipulated or faked?
- How can I find out whether a chat screenshot featuring my name has been faked?
- Is a screenshot just as valid in court as the original file?
- How can I back up data from a dashcam in a way that preserves its evidential value for a private legal dispute or accident?
- How can I find out whether a dashcam video has been edited or altered?
- How can I find out when a digital photograph of damage was actually taken?
- How can I have audio recordings analysed technically in a private dispute?
- How can I check whether digital logs or event lists have been altered retrospectively?
Road traffic accidents, damage and vehicle data
- How can I have digital evidence on my own devices secured following a break-in or theft?
- How can I have smartphone data analysed to help reconstruct the events following a road traffic accident?
- How can I find out whether a smartphone was being used at the time of the accident?
- How can I have digital vehicle or app data objectively secured and analysed following an accident?
- How can I have GPS or location data checked in the event of an accident or claim?
- How can I have digital evidence processed following a private insurance claim or incident?
- How can I find out whether photos of damage or evidence have been tampered with?
- How can I have digital evidence of a purchase, sale or handover examined in the event of a private dispute?
Hacked device or account: Unauthorised access
- How can I find out whether my smartphone has actually been hacked?
- How can I have my iPhone checked for unauthorised access?
- How can I have an Android smartphone checked for unauthorised access or malware?
- How can I find out if anyone has accessed my Apple account?
- How can I find out if someone has accessed my Google account?
- How can I find out if my Microsoft account has been compromised?
- How can I find out if my email account has been hacked?
- How can I check whether any unknown forwarding rules have been set up in my email account?
- How can I check whether someone has taken over my WhatsApp account or linked it to a device that isn’t mine?
- How can I find out whether someone has had access to Telegram, Signal or other messaging apps?
- How can I find out if someone has taken over my social media account?
- How can I find out whether my computer has been accessed remotely without my authorisation?
- How can I find out whether my Mac has been accessed remotely without my authorisation?
- How can I check whether any unknown apps or profiles have been installed on my smartphone?
- How can I check whether someone has changed the settings on my smartphone?
- How can I find out if someone has used my passwords or login details?
- How can I check whether any changes have been made to two-factor authentication or security settings on my account?
- How can I find out whether an unknown device has been linked to my account?
- Can unusual data usage prove that data is being transferred from my smartphone?
- How can I find out whether my webcam or microphone has been used without my permission?
- Why should I commission LanCologne if I suspect my account has been hacked or my device has been compromised?
- How can I find out whether a banking app or my smartphone has been compromised by fraud?
- How can I find out whether my PayPal account or another payment account has been compromised?
- How can I check whether an online account has been opened or used in my name?
- How can I find out if someone is accessing my personal data via my computer or Mac?
- How can I find out whether several fake accounts are technically linked?
- How can I provide conclusive evidence that someone is impersonating me online?
- How can I have the relevant account and device details documented following the theft of my smartphone?
- How can I check whether anyone has accessed my online accounts following a theft?
Private expert reports, civil proceedings and legal principles
- Can I have my own device examined before I go to the police or a solicitor?
- Can a private IT forensic report examine the authenticity of digital evidence for use in legal proceedings?
- How can I have digital evidence professionally secured ahead of family court proceedings?
- Can LanCologne produce a technical counter-report on digital evidence in a private civil dispute?
- How can I have digital evidence prepared for a claim for injunctive relief, an application for interim relief or a criminal complaint?
- When might a private IT forensic report be useful for me as a private individual?
- How can a private IT forensic report help my solicitor?
- How can I have my computer or Mac examined in a way that preserves evidence for civil proceedings?
- How can an IT forensic report present digital evidence in a way that is comprehensible to a civil court?
- What is the significance of Section 371 of the Code of Civil Procedure (ZPO) for electronic files and digital evidence?
- What is the significance of Section 371a of the German Code of Civil Procedure (ZPO) for ordinary chats, emails and files?
- How can a private expert report investigate the authenticity of a disputed digital file?
- How can a private IT forensic report help my solicitor piece together a timeline of events?
- How can I have digital evidence prepared for a criminal complaint?
- Can a private expert report replace investigations carried out by the police or the public prosecutor’s office?
- How can my solicitor use a digital forensics report in criminal proceedings?
- How can I have an existing police or private IT report professionally reviewed?
- How can I have it checked to see whether a piece of digital evidence has been misinterpreted?
- How can I have a technical assessment documented independently for my insurance purposes?
- How can an independent valuation help in a dispute with my insurance company?
- Can LanCologne produce a technical counter-report to an insurance report?
- How can I ensure that original digital data is backed up in such a way that another expert can examine it at a later date?
- Why is a technical appendix important in a private IT forensic report?
- How should the question of evidence be formulated for a private IT forensic report?
- How can I ensure that an IT expert report does not simply contain findings that are favourable to me?
- Can a private expert report be reviewed at a later date by a court-appointed expert?
- How can a private expert report help before an expensive legal dispute begins?
- Why should I commission LanCologne to carry out a private IT forensic report for a solicitor, the police, an insurance company or a court?
- How can a private IT forensic report summarise technical evidence in a way that is understandable to lawyers, insurance companies, the police or the courts?
Preservation of evidence relating to devices, files and deleted data
- How should I back up my digital data before changing my passwords or resetting my device?
- How can I find out whether a TAN or payment authorisation has been misused through technical means?
- How can I check whether an email containing a payment request has been forged or tampered with?
- How can IT forensics prepare digital evidence for potential proceedings under the Protection Against Violence Act?
- How can I have deleted WhatsApp or Messenger messages forensically examined?
- How can I find out whether a chat history has been compiled or shortened retrospectively?
- Why should I have digital chats, photos, videos or files from LanCologne forensically examined?
- How can I have deleted messages examined in a private legal dispute?
- How can I use calendar, photo or device timelines to piece together what happened?
- How can I back up my own digital evidence without unnecessarily compromising other people’s privacy?
- How can I have a digital document checked to see whether it has been altered retrospectively in a private dispute?
- How can I document sextortion from a technical perspective and ensure that digital evidence is preserved?
- How can I still provide evidence of deleted offensive posts or messages?
- How can I have someone check whether the footage from my private camera has been deleted or altered?
- In the event of a dispute over a private online sale, how can I back up chat and payment details in a way that preserves the evidence?
- How can I have digital evidence processed for use in a tenancy or neighbourhood dispute?
- How can I have digital evidence from a smart home secured for use in a private dispute?
- How can I have data from USB-Sticks, memory cards or external hard drives secured as private evidence?
- How can I have deleted files on a private storage device examined forensically?
Other questions
- How can I have a voice message analysed to determine its origin and check for any technical alterations?
- How can I have an audio file analysed for cuts or editing?
- How can I find out whether an image or video might be AI-generated or a deepfake?
- How can I check whether a file’s metadata has been altered?
- How reliable are timestamps as digital evidence?
- What can a hash value actually prove in the case of digital evidence?
- How can I preserve the original file of a piece of digital evidence in a way that ensures its integrity?
- How can I find out whether a file comes from my device?
- How can I have a digital document checked to see if it has been altered at a later date?
- How can I have digital evidence professionally processed for my solicitor or the police?
- How can I have location data from my own smartphone analysed for the purposes of a private legal dispute?
- How can I find out whether private photos have actually been published online?
- How can I find out if someone is using my photos for a fake profile?
- How can I document fake news that purports to come from me?
- How can I have offensive or defamatory online posts preserved in a way that provides reliable evidence?
- How can I have the origin of an anonymous email or message investigated?
- How can I have anonymous text messages processed for the police?
- How can I find out whether my personal data has been published for the purpose of doxing?
- How can I secure evidence if my address or telephone number has been published online?
- How can I have a supposed voice recording of me checked to see if it is genuine?
- How can I get someone to check whether a video purporting to be of me has been doctored or is a deepfake?
- Can I have my smartphone forensically backed up independently before a legal dispute?
- Why should I, as a private individual, commission LanCologne to carry out an independent IT forensic investigation?