Analyzing the Windows SRUM Database
August 15th, 2025 by Oleg Afonin
When it comes to Windows forensics, some of the most valuable evidence can be stored deep inside system directories the average user never touches. One such source of evidence is the System Resource Usage Monitor (SRUM) database. Introduced in Windows 8 and still shipping today with the latest Windows 11 updates, SRUM collects detailed historical records about application usage and network activity. This database is a perfect source of data for reconstructing the user’s activities during an investigation. In this article, we’ll review the available types of data and demonstrate a way to access the SRUM database by using a bootable tool.
iOS Forensics Training in Vienna: 17-19 Oct 2018
October 1st, 2018 by Oleg Afonin
There’s still time to register for the upcoming ElcomSoft training program in Vienna! Held in partnership with T3K-Forensics, this three-day training program will cover everything about iOS forensics. Law enforcement and forensic specialists are welcome to sign up! We’ll cover all the bases from seizing and transporting mobile devices to iOS extraction and analysis. We’ll talk about the acquisition workflow and have participants perform logical, physical and cloud extraction of iOS devices. Expect live demonstrations and fully guided hands-on experience obtaining evidence from iOS devices, pulling data from locked iPhones and accessing iCloud for even more evidence.
iOS 12 Enhances USB Restricted Mode
September 20th, 2018 by Oleg Afonin
The release of iOS 11.4.1 back in July 2018 introduced USB Restricted Mode, a feature designed to defer passcode cracking tools such as those developed by Cellerbrite and Grayshift. As a reminder, iOS 11.4.1 automatically switches off data connectivity of the Lightning port after one hour since the device was last unlocked, or one hour since the device has been disconnected from a USB accessory or computer. In addition, users could manually disable the USB port by following the S.O.S. mode routine.
Cloud Forensics: Why, What and How to Extract Evidence
September 6th, 2018 by Oleg Afonin
Cloud analysis is arguably the future of mobile forensics. Whether or not the device is working or physically accessible, cloud extraction often allows accessing amounts of information far exceeding those available in the device itself.
Analysing Apple Pay Transactions
August 30th, 2018 by Oleg Afonin
With more than 127 million users in multiple countries, Apple Pay is one of the more popular contactless payment systems. Unlike some competing payment technologies, Apple Pay is not only tightly integrated into Apple’s ecosystem but is exclusive to Apple devices.
Using Intel Built-in Graphic Cores to Accelerate Password Recovery
August 14th, 2018 by Oleg Afonin
GPU acceleration is the thing when you need to break a password. Whether you use brute force, a dictionary of common words or a highly customized dictionary comprised of the user’s existed passwords pulled from their Web browser, extracted from their smartphone or downloaded from the cloud, sheer performance is what you need to make the job done in reasonable time.
Android Pie Lockdown Option: a Match for iOS SOS Mode?
August 8th, 2018 by Oleg Afonin
We have already covered the emergency SOS mode introduced in iOS 11. When entering this mode, the phone disables Touch ID and Face ID, requiring the passcode to unlock the phone. It appears that Google is taking cues from Apple, adding a new Lockdown Option to the newly released Android 9 Pie. Let us see what is similar and what is different between iOS SOS mode and Android 9.0 Pie Lockdown Option.
iOS 12 Beta 5: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
July 31st, 2018 by Vladimir Katalov
The release of iOS 11.4.1 marked the introduction of USB restricted mode, a then-new protection scheme disabling USB data pins after one hour. The USB restricted mode was not invincible; in fact, one could circumvent protection by connecting the device to a $39 accessory. While a great improvement on itself, the new mode did not provide sufficient protection. We wished Apple maintained a list of “trusted” or previously connected accessories on the device, allowing only such devices to reset the timer. In this new iOS 12 beta, Apple makes attempts to further “improve” USB restricted mode, yet the quotes about “improving” the system are there on purpose.
USB Restricted Mode Inside Out
July 12th, 2018 by Vladimir Katalov
It’s been a lot of hype around the new Apple security measure (USB restricted mode) introduced in iOS 11.4.1. Today we’ll talk about how we tested the new mode, what are the implications, and what we like and dislike about it. If you are new to the topic, consider reading our blog articles first (in chronological order):
Accessing Lockdown Files on macOS
July 12th, 2018 by Oleg Afonin
Lockdown records, or pairing records, are frequently used for accessing locked iOS devices. By using an existing lockdown record extracted from the suspect’s computer, forensic specialists can perform logical acquisition of the iOS device with iOS Forensic Toolkit and other forensic tools. Logical acquisition helps obtain information stored in system backups, access shared and media files, and even extract device crash logs. However, lockdown records may be tricky to access and difficult to extract. macOS protects lockdown files with access permissions. Let’s find out how to access the lockdown files on a live macOS system.
Training in Vienna
July 10th, 2018 by Oleg Afonin
Did you know we have forensic trainings? We’ve partnered with T3K Forensics to feature a 3-day training on iOS forensics. This fall in beautiful Vienna, 17.-19.10.2018, we’ll train a group of law enforcement and forensic specialists on every aspect of iOS acquisition and analysis. We’ll talk about the acquisition workflow and have participants perform logical, physical and cloud extraction of iOS devices. Expect live demonstrations and fully guided hands-on experience jailbreaking and extracting iOS devices, pulling data from locked iPhones and accessing the cloud for even more evidence.
