Network Packet Forensics
The default methods of capturing IP addresses is the lipcap(pcap) format. Through a binary format, the libcap(pcap) format captures details including time and duration of logins. Through a magic number system, the network packet forensics can provide particular information, including the identity of a file, the author and the IP address the document originated (Sikos, 2020). The benefits of network packet forensics are offloading of unnecessary hardware and software processing capabilities, and allocating the power to alternative functions. For example, FortiASIC NP6 as a network packet forensics program reduces the processing that goes to wastage, hence offering IPv4 and IPv6 traffic additional functioning capacity.
Forensics analytics network packets are conducted when a gadget is online, to capture live address, subnet mask and packet filter binary data (Sikos, 2020). As such, network packet forensics offers programmed functions that allow to access deleted content, construct an image from destroyed bits of information and provide location data based on IP addresses of retrieved documents.
In the year 2000, EtherApe a programme innovated by Toledo offered network packet forensics techniques over Unix operating systems. As the primary provider of server and database hardware, EtherApe was efficient in sniffing network traffic, organizing data in the form of graphs and offer link nodes through a colour-coded framework. Alternative programmes include Tcpdump that facilitate network forensics through a command-line tool and protocol (Sikos, 2020). The evolution of network packet sniffing technologies relies on the advancement of internet platform from Web 1.0, to the current 2.0 platform. Network packet forensics is essential in eliminating electronic and internet-based fraud by offering tools and techniques to authenticate and audit online transactions. Credit and debit card fraud through ecommerce is on the decline due to implementation of network sniffing tools including EtherApe and Tcpdump command line protocol.