Assignment:
Hashing is very important in computer forensics. Defense experts often challenge computer forensic examiners on the integrity of their evidence. This case project will walk you through how to hash a file. It should only take you 30 minutes to complete this actual case project.
Review the website https://www.karenware.com/powertools/pthasher.asp. Download Karen’s Hasher.
- Compose a document in Microsoft Word with just a couple of text lines. Save the document.
- Run Karen’s Hasher and get a hash value on your document. Document the hash value of your file.
- Go back to Microsoft Word and re-open your document. Make one slight change to your document and re-save using the same name.
- Run Karen’s Hasher and get a hash value on the modified document. Note this hash value.
Compose a 1 page narrative, explaining what a hash value is and why it’s important in computer forensics. Include the activities that you just conducted using Karen’s Hasher, documenting your hash values and discuss why the hash value changed.