Windows Registry Forensics Learning Path

Learn the purpose and structure of the files that create the Windows Registry.

11 hours, 11 minutes

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Quick facts

About this learning path

  • courses

    100% online

  • Duration

    11 hours, 11 minutes

  • Assessment

    questions

About Windows Registry Forensics

This learning path teaches you the necessary skills to conduct a complete and accurate examination of the Windows Registry. As you progress through 13 courses, you'll build the necessary skills to define and understand the Windows Registry. You will be able to locate the registry files within a computer's file system, both live and non-live. The path will show you how to examine the registry and locate data significant to your investigation, correctly interpret the significant data found within the registry and put all your findings together to form a fact-based conclusion for your report.

 

Syllabus

Windows Registry Forensics Skill Assessment

Assessment - 54 questions
Introduction to the Windows Registry

Course - 00:49:00
This course will explore the location and structure of the registry hives in a live and non-live environment, as well as the types of forensic evidence found in the Windows Registry. This will include: user account information, system-wide and user-specific settings, file access, program installation and execution, search terms, auto-start locations and devices attached to the system.
Preparing to Examine the Windows Registry

Course - 00:57:00
This course takes a look at the location of the Registry files within the Windows OS and the many tools freely available to view the file structure and artifacts contained within the Windows Registry. It includes instruction on the installation, proper use and validation of your forensic software, showing how to get the most out of your automated tools while maintaining an understanding of what the tool is doing behind the scenes.
NTUser.Dat Hive File Analysis

Course - 02:26:00
This course will show examiners how to locate programs and applications, mounted volumes and connected devices specific to a user, user search terms and typed URLs. Examiners will also be able to locate and identify opened and saved files, typed URLs, user-specific programs set to run at startup and application installation and execution. Examiners will be able to locate, examine and interpret MRU lists (Most Recently Used), UserAssist, user system settings and recently used files.
SAM Hive File

Course - 00:50:00
This course demonstrates how to identify each user account on a local machine using the relative identifier. Examiners can also learn to interpret username information including the users’ login dates, times and login count. The course will show how to identify the machine that the user account was created on, by interpreting a users’ SIDs (machine/domain identifiers) and recovering user password hashes.
Software Hive File

Course - 01:04:00
The course will provide an overview of the forensic artifacts found in the software hive file, such as installed programs and applications, operating system type, install date and time, wireless network information, file association, domain logon information, the last logged-on user, programs set to run at startup and tracking USB devices that were attached to the system.
System Hive File

Course - 01:13:00
This course explores the system hive file showing how to determine the current control set, computer name, last shutdown date and time, crash dump settings and location, services set to run at startup, page file settings, prefetch settings, last access file time settings, AppCompat Cache, BAM (background activities monitor) and USB device connections and disconnections with dates and times.
USRClass.dat Hive File

Course - 00:33:00
This course will look at the UsrClass.dat hive. The examiner will learn to explain Windows ShellBags, which track user-specific zip files and folder access and settings, including dates and times even on deleted folders and removable media. The examiner will also learn to interpret the sub-key MuiCache, to include installed applications. The Microsoft Photo App, showing recently accessed image files, will also be explored.
AmCache Hive File

Course - 00:32:00
A forensic examination of the AmCache hive file showing the following: application installation, application first run date and time, a file path to the executable file, the source of the application, a SHA-1 hash value of the executable file, plug-and-play connected devices, GUIDs of mounted volumes and system hardware information.

Meet the author

Denise Duffy

In addition to being an Infosec instructor, Denise Duffy teaches computer forensics worldwide to European law enforcement through the European Anti-Fraud Office. During her 25-year career at the Middletown Police Department, Denise underwent extensive training in specialized computer and mobile device forensics, including widespread access data courses, multiple IACIS trainings, U.S. Secret Service Training at the National Computer Forensics Institute, BlackBag Technologies Training, many National White Collar Crime (NW3C) courses, an X-Ways online course and considerable Internet Crimes Against Children Training (ICAC) courses.

Denise currently holds the following certifications: CFCE (Certified Forensic Computer Examiner), CCFE (Certified Computer Forensics Examiner), CMFE (Certified Mobile Forensics Examiner) and CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker). She is most proud of her two sons who joined the U.S. Military, as Denise is a Desert Shield/Desert Storm veteran herself.

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The details

Learning path insights

How to claim CPEs

Should you complete this learning path, you’ll be able to download a certificate of completion. Use this to claim your CPEs or CPUs.

Associated NICE Work Roles

All Infosec training maps directly to the NICE Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity to guide you from beginner to expert across 52 Work Roles.

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