Hash Verification
An integrity verification method in digital forensics that uses cryptographic hash algorithms such as SHA-256 or MD5 to compute a digest value for a forensic image and, by comparing values before and after, demonstrates that the evidence has not been modified without authorization.
Timeline (last 90 days)
Chain-of-custody records should be used in conjunction with hash values: compare the hash before and after each access to the evidence, and archive the comparison result together with the operator and timestamp, to form a closed loop.
Hash verification uses cryptographic hash algorithms such as SHA-256 or MD5 to compute a digest value over the original image; this value is highly sensitive to the data content, and even if only one bit is changed, the hash value will change significantly.
Hash verification cannot prove that the source of the evidence is lawful, nor can it replace the chain of custody; it addresses the integrity problem, whereas the chain of custody addresses the continuity problem.
All Facts (3)
Chain-of-custody records should be used in conjunction with hash values: compare the hash before and after each access to the evidence, and archive the comparison result together with the operator and timestamp, to form a closed loop.
50%UnverifiedHash verification uses cryptographic hash algorithms such as SHA-256 or MD5 to compute a digest value over the original image; this value is highly sensitive to the data content, and even if only one bit is changed, the hash value will change significantly.
50%UnverifiedHash verification cannot prove that the source of the evidence is lawful, nor can it replace the chain of custody; it addresses the integrity problem, whereas the chain of custody addresses the continuity problem.
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