Computer Forensics

Scribbler is an app specially formulated for the iPhone or Ipad that integrates the freedom to draw and the ability to share one’s artwork with their peers via Facebook, Twitter, and Scribbler itself. Scribbler will include a number of effects, tools, colors, and texts to apply to each Scribble, similar to Photoshop.

This past week in my Information Studies and Technology Class, we discussed the topic of Computer Forensics. According to Computer Evidence Collection and Preservation, by Chris L.T. Brown, the subject is defined as, “the art and science of applying computer science to aid the legal process...” Relating back to last week’s post about privacy, we learn the in’s and out’s of computer parts to fully understand their processes. A hard drive is the number one culprit in the recovering and reading of old data on one’s personal computer. Our professor presented the class with shocking statistics like, “74% of the hard drives sold or given away contain data that can easily be recovered and read,” and “36% of those hard drives have been reformatted but still contain old data that can be recovered.” Many of those drives contained financial personal, or medical records, credit card numbers and even pornography.

The scary part about those statistics is that most computer owners do not realize how much of their data is stored on their hard drives. This makes it especially important for when you are getting rid of an old computer or laptop. When simply hitting delete on a file or putting it into your trashcan, the file does not permanently erase. In computer speak, when one deletes a file, the operating system takes note that the erased space can be reused. The only true way to delete a file off of your computer’s hard drive is to destroy it. The hard drive can only not be recovered if it is completely broken, melted, or shredded! Pretty intense, huh?

So, how does this relate to Scribbler? Well one reason being that the difficulty in truly deleting files should remind user’s to be aware of exactly what they are posting. Once it is posted on the internet, even on an app, it is forever saved somewhere in cyberspace. Would you want your Grandma to see the piece of artwork you posted? Secondly, it allows Scribbler user’s to be careful of identity theft. On the user’s profile, one should not disclose personal information such as one’s social security number, home address or telephone number. Scribbler is not an app directed for the use of buying and selling one’s artwork. It is to simply create, customize, and share the scribbles. Therefore, it is advised that users do not disclose one’s credit or debit card information within the app. Identity theft, is a serious and life-changing crime that can affect you for your whole life. Keep in mind what you are posting and who is able to view it.