Forensic Implications of BitLocker-by-Default in Windows 11 24H2
May 8th, 2025 by Oleg Afonin
The Windows 11 24H2 update introduced a change in Microsoft’s approach to disk encryption, a shift that will have long lasting implications on digital forensics. In this release, BitLocker encryption is automatically enabled on most modern hardware when installing Windows when a Microsoft Account (MSA) is used during setup. Encryption starts seamlessly and silently in the background, covering even Home editions and consumer devices such as desktop computers that historically escaped full-disk encryption defaults.
Apple Two-Factor Authentication and the iCloud
May 30th, 2013 by Vladimir Katalov
Finally, two-factor authentication is not a silver bullet. There are scenarios where two-factor authentication simply is not enough. But still, it is a good idea to enable 2FA on all your accounts.
iCloud backups inside out
February 25th, 2013 by Vladimir Katalov
It’s been a while since we released the new version of Elcomsoft Phone Password Breaker that allows downloading backups from iCloud (read the press release). Many customers all over the world are already using this new feature intensively, but we still get many questions about its benefits, examples of cases when it can be used and how to use it properly. We also noticed many ironic comments in different forums (mostly from users without any experience in using iOS devices and so have no idea what iCloud backups actually are, I guess), saying that there is nothing really new or interesting there, because anyone with Apple ID and password can access the data stored in iCloud backup anyway.
Yahoo!, Dropbox and Battle.net Hacked: Stopping the Chain Reaction
February 14th, 2013 by Vladimir Katalov
Major security breaches occur in quick succession one after another. Is it a chain reaction? How do we stop it?
Norwegian Teenagers Hacking iCloud Accounts
February 7th, 2013 by Olga Koksharova
A few days ago, we received the following communication from an obsessed password researcher and our long-standing friend (quoted with his permission):
ElcomSoft Decrypts BitLocker, PGP and TrueCrypt Containers
December 20th, 2012 by Vladimir Katalov
BitLocker, PGP and TrueCrypt set industry standard in the area of whole-disk and partition encryption. All three tools provide strong, reliable protection, and offer a perfect implementation of strong crypto.
