Suspecting something amiss, the employer solicited the help of police. The police collected the hard disk from the computer used by the accountant and handed it to the computer forensics experts. They recovered and analysed the data from the unallocated space of the hard disk. An analysis of the recovered data revealed that the accountant had transferred large amounts of the company money to his individual bank account.

It was later realised that the employee had been committing this fraud since long. And, till the police came on the scene and handed over the hard disk to the forensic specialists, the company owner was not aware of the existence of such a service. This sets one contemplating about the need to increase public awareness regarding computer forensic analysis.

Creating an awareness of the existence of such a mode of service has to be preceded by some deliberation and research.

It is not necessary to reach out to all the people. To begin with, all the employed computer users must be made aware of the possibility of apprehending criminals availing the services of computer forensic experts.

This identified group of potential customers can be reached via the easy and convenient platform offered by the internet.

Internet provides varied legal methods to generate awareness.

Advertisement is a popular mode of making the public aware of the services offered by a company. Computer forensic service providers should remember not to spend heavily on a one-time advertisement. Repeated advertisements are a must to ensure continuous flow of customers.

Informative and interesting web sites are another mode, to make the public realise the necessity of availing such services.

A knowledgeable public can better identify these sophisticated criminals and protect innocent victims by contacting reputed computer forensic service providers.

Creating Awareness of Reputed Computer Forensics Service Providers

Creating awareness of companies providing computer forensics services works the best by word of mouth. Existing customers, satisfied with the services they receive are the cheapest and the best media for publicity. On an average 30% of the new customers arrive by referrals given by the old clients. And, nothing pleases old clients like the offer of free gifts.

People who wish to avail the services of computer forensics analysts search the internet for information. When they utilise a search engine using specific key words the company advertisement can be made to pop up next to the search result. This is an effective way, for the advertisements are reaching out to the exact people. However, the exact key words users use, must be identified. For example, ‘data recovery forensics' fails to generate much result. Computer users scan the net using the keywords, ‘computer forensics,' or ‘crime forensics.'

Opting for email advertising is another accepted manner of reaching out to individual potential customers as opposed to spamming.

Computer Forensics and User Apprehensions

Indifferent Attitude

People fail to realise the necessity of utilising the services offered by computer forensic experts. When faced with the prospect of data retrieval for solving computer-related criminal activity, they bother not as to who retrieves data.

These people must be made aware that computer forensics and data recovery specialists operate differently. Though both aim at data recovery, the mode of recovery for cases that are criminal in nature has to be handled differently.

Lack of Adequate Knowledge

PC users also feel that when criminals are apprehended the law enforcing agencies and the legal authorities are not able to fully appreciate the case as they lack adequate knowledge of computer forensics which is still in its infancy.

This problem can be addressed by increasing public awareness in this field.

International Cases

Criminal activities perpetuated via computers transcend national boundaries. For example, employees who indulge in data theft might sell the stolen data to buyers located half way across the globe. Clients for child pornography might be similarly scattered internationally.

Even after the forensic experts unearth sufficient evidence, these criminals might not get apprehended. For, each country follows different laws regarding the mode of data recovery to be followed by forensic specialists. Therefore, in spite of evidential proof, the wrong-doers go scot-free due to variance in laws.

To prevent such discrepancies, a uniform law is soon going to be enforced regulating the manner in which data has to be recovered by computer forensic experts.

Global computer users should be vigilant, for computer-related criminal activities are on the rise. And, if any such activity is suspected, the services of computer forensic experts must be immediately availed.



James Walsh is a freelance writer and copy editor. For more information on computer crime and Computer Forensics see http://www.fieldsassociates.co.uk