24-10-2012, 12:18 PM
PDA Forensic Tools: An Overview and Analysis
ABSTRACT
Digital handheld devices, such as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), are becoming more affordable and commonplace
in the workplace. They provide highly mobile data storage in addition to computational and networking capabilities for
managing appointments and contact information, reviewing documents, communicating via electronic mail, and performing
other tasks. Individuals can store and process personal and sensitive information independently of a desktop or notebook
computer, and optionally synchronize the results at some later time. As digital technology evolves, the capabilities of these
devices also continues to improve rapidly, taking advantage of new forms of removable media, faster processors that consume
less power, touch screens with higher pixel resolution, and other components designed specifically for mobile devices. When
handheld devices are involved in a crime or other incident, forensic examiners require tools that allow the proper retrieval and
speedy examination of information present on the device. This report gives an overview of current forensic software, designed
for acquisition, analysis, reporting of data discovered on PDAs, and an understanding of their capabilities and limitations.