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Tips for High School Senior?

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(@iamapyro)
Posts: 5
Active Member
Topic starter
 

Any Tips for a High School Senior? Like what I can do to get ahead bvefore college? Like get ahead of the game, or start learning now etc.? Also, what are some good CF books I should read?
Thanks,
Matt

 
Posted : 31/07/2006 11:43 pm
keydet89
(@keydet89)
Posts: 3568
Famed Member
 

It's hard to tell…what college are you going to? What recommendations I would make really depend on what's available at the school, or near it. For example, if your college doesn't have CF courses, but a community college nearby does, that may be an option.

It's hard to recommend a degree program without knowing the school you're going to, as a lot of really good CF guys don't have degrees, particularly not in the field.

General recommendations I would make include

1. Don't wait for someone to hand something to you…make your own path, even if that means learning Linux and installing TSK.

2. Pick an area to research, and get started. Take it upon yourself to learn the basics of the area, and then try engaging with the folks you see online who are well represented in that area.

3. Look at obstacles as opportunities, and never wait for someone to hand you something.

hope that helps, at least a little,

Harlan

 
Posted : 01/08/2006 12:10 am
steve862
(@steve862)
Posts: 194
Estimable Member
 

Hi,

My advice may well be inappropriate for the US market as I am in the UK, so read it and take or leave the advice as you see fit.

I wouldn't necessarily go into a computer forensic degree. It limits you straight away to a smaller number of options in IT. You have a whole career ahead of you lasting over 40 years and you may decide to move into differrent fields of IT during that time. My experience in computer forensic work has shown many of the most useful people are the ones that came from mainstream IT. They add value to the team by bringing real life skills that are not covered in any forensic course. Knowing only the computer forensic side could leave you short when you find yourself pitted against an opposite forensic examiner who used to work as a systems admin on the very systems you are examining. If I hadn't worked in IT previously I might always be wondering if this is how people do things in the real world.

A general computing degree will give you more options for work placement and allow you the chance to work for some good companies that may be potential employers for you in the future. Whilst doing a degree of this kind you can develop stronger skills in the field of CF. Main toics you should become familiar with would be -

1. Disk Geometry (so much boils down to this in the end)
2. Windows Registry artifacts (experiment to find results here)
3. File-systems (how FAT and NTFS vary in terms of recycle bins etc, etc)
4. Linux tools including using dd, grep, xxd (some of hte most important)
5. Apple Macs (not many people are that familiar with them…get the advantage of being someone who is)

This list is not an exhaustive one but a good place to start. It will certainly keep you going for a while to get to know these topics really well.

Having been to court several times and given evidence of a CF nature I found it very helpful to have a background covering main IT subjects. Saying I had worked in IT for 10 years previously was something the defence barrister could not take away from me and I felt more confident to say I didn't know the answer to something, which suggests I really did know the answers to the other questions.

Computer forensic degrees are fairly new in the UK, every one I know in this line of work is either a Police Officer trained into the role or someone who came from mainstream IT. Many organisations here are prepared to send their staff on courses attached to a University so they can gain a degree in forensic computing whilst on the job. It takes years, is hard work but gives you that qualification to go with your experience.

Good luck with your preparations in whatever you do choose to do.

Steve

 
Posted : 01/08/2006 4:25 pm
(@Anonymous)
Posts: 0
Guest
 

I love the guy's nick "i am a pyro"

First, make sure not to get yourself arrested for arson or any of that
kind of s**t.

And Harlan, this guy is probably going to attend Arizona State if he's
living in Mesa. ASU is a very short drive away.

Second, there is a reason why most universities don't offer a B.S.
degree in computer forensics. I would recommend studying computer
science or electrical engineering. I personally studied EE in college
and although it was a real pain in the a*s, it gives you quite a bit more
perspective on a lot of things.

 
Posted : 01/08/2006 8:50 pm
(@iamapyro)
Posts: 5
Active Member
Topic starter
 

Well, first I'm Going to University of Advancing Technology in Phoenix, Arizona. They are NSA certefied for network security and offer a major in CF (a 4 year program on it) which im psyched for. It's supposed to be one of the best in the nation.

P.S. Yeah I'm not an arson =) Just an old nickname.

UAT Site uat.edu

 
Posted : 02/08/2006 2:43 am
(@Anonymous)
Posts: 0
Guest
 

Well, first I'm Going to University of Advancing Technology in Phoenix, Arizona. They are NSA certefied for network security and offer a major in CF (a 4 year program on it) which im psyched for. It's supposed to be one of the best in the nation.

P.S. Yeah I'm not an arson =) Just an old nickname.

UAT Site uat.edu

UAT? LOL! I think I have seen this dubious educational institution
advertise at Defcon before.

Pyro, I strongly suggest that you reconsider your decision to enroll
in a school such as UAT. Go and get a real education at a real
university.

 
Posted : 02/08/2006 6:36 am
(@iamapyro)
Posts: 5
Active Member
Topic starter
 

Bah, lol. Ive been to the school and i love it. It seems like it has a good program, plus they're close to home. ? Is it really that bad??

 
Posted : 02/08/2006 9:47 pm
(@ac_forensics)
Posts: 44
Eminent Member
 

Pyro - I'd like to make a few suggestions. I agree that you should get a degree in computer science/computer engineering or EE. This will give you the theoretical background - and yes, it is a pain - to do more with your skills. A computer forensics degree I would afraid would be limited. If you understand digital fundamentals, you can pick up a book and learn about specific technology implementations.

Also, find a computer forensic expert nearby and ask to do free work. The forensic crime lab may even be open to you shadowing and asking questions. This would be an excellent way to learn how thing should be done.

Keep in mind that computer forensics will be quit different in 10 or 20 years. SO you need to have the fundamentals, the foundation.

Good luck,

A

 
Posted : 03/08/2006 1:54 am
(@nontraditionalstudent)
Posts: 1
New Member
 

What would you guys say about pursuing a management of information systems (MIS) degree before getting into the computer forensics field and then possibly getting a masters degree in computer security? Any input would be great.

 
Posted : 03/08/2006 2:53 am
steve862
(@steve862)
Posts: 194
Estimable Member
 

Bah, lol. Ive been to the school and i love it. It seems like it has a good program, plus they're close to home. ? Is it really that bad??

Bah, lol. You'll have to give up World of Warcraft at University.

Maybe it does appeal and is local but the people replying on this thread do seem to be suggesting a mainstream IT degree in the first instance. It is an important decision to make and once you've made it you have to stick with it. Of course it's your choice and I'm sure you will want to make the best of it.

nontraditionalstudent. I think a management of information systems degree and computer security degree would still leave you short of knowledge in computer forensics. These sorts of degrees could earn you a higher income elsewhere as well. Some areas of computer forensics would be within your experience straight away but other areas would not and that would limit your value to employers in the short term.

Steve

 
Posted : 03/08/2006 3:49 pm
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