IT Forensics – Windows

Forensic analysis of the Windows certificate store – Tracing digital certificates and trust relationships

The Windows certificate store manages digital certificates for users, computers and applications. As part of an IT forensic investigation, certificates can provide information on authentication methods, encryption, digital signatures and security-related system configurations.

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A professional analysis is never carried out in isolation. Only by correlating the findings with DPAPI artefacts, EFS, BitLocker, registry artefacts, event logs and other digital traces is it possible to arrive at a reliable technical assessment.

Why LanCologne?

Since its foundation, LanCologne has specialised in professional IT forensics. Our staff have decades of experience in the field of information technology and assist companies, solicitors, private individuals and, on a regular basis, the courts in the technical investigation of complex digital matters.

The examination is carried out exclusively on a forensic copy or a forensic image. The original evidence remains unchanged and is stored in a manner that preserves its evidential integrity.

Our services

We analyse certificate stores, certificate chains and cryptographic configurations, assess their significance within the overall context, and document all stages of the investigation in a transparent manner.

Typical areas of application

•Incident Response
•Analysis of encrypted systems
•Analysis of digital signatures
•Reconstruction of authentication processes
•Employment law proceedings
•Expert reports for the courts

This is how the analysis works

Once a forensic image has been created, the relevant certificate stores are analysed. The results are then correlated with other Windows artefacts and assessed from a technical perspective.

Why is the certificate store important?

Digital certificates play a key role in authentication, encryption and establishing trust. However, their significance only becomes apparent when all relevant digital traces are assessed as a whole.

Frequently Asked Questions

What information does the certificate store contain?+
Depending on the system, these include, amongst other things, user, computer and application certificates, as well as certification authorities.
Can tampered certificates be detected?+
Depending on the data available, anomalies can be identified and assessed within the overall context.
Is the original system being examined?+
No. Only a forensic copy or forensic image is analysed.
Is an analysis of the certificate store alone sufficient for an expert report?+
No. It is always analysed alongside other Windows artefacts.

LanCologne – Windows Forensics in Cologne

Do you need a professional analysis of the Windows certificate store or other Windows artefacts? LanCologne can assist you with the forensic preservation of digital evidence and the objective analysis of complex Windows systems.

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