01 Apr The Internet of Things

Posted at 01:52h in , by

An interesting and increasingly relevant topic in digital forensics is the investigation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices. As IoT devices become more widespread, they play a larger role in both our personal and professional lives. This includes smart home devices, wearable technology, connected vehicles, and more. These devices generate a vast amount of data, which can be incredibly valuable for forensic investigations.

Here is a short list of devices and some information that might be available to collect:

    • Smart Thermostats: Temperature settings, schedules, energy use history, and sometimes location data if geofencing features are used.
    • Smart Security Cameras: Video and audio recordings, motion detection logs, and device access logs.
    • Smart Locks: Unlock/lock times, user identities (who accessed and when), and access codes.
    • Fitness Trackers: Step count, heart rate, sleep patterns, GPS location data, and workout histories.
    • Smartwatches: Notifications from connected devices (e.g., text messages, emails), health monitoring data, app usage data, and voice command history.
    • Smart Refrigerators: Inventory lists (based on scanning or manual input), temperature settings, energy usage data, and maintenance records.
    • Smart Ovens: Cooking times, temperature settings, recipes used, and usage patterns.
    • Remote Monitoring Devices: Patient vital signs, medication intake records, and patient movement data. Blood pressure, glucose levels, and electrocardiogram (ECG) data.
    • Smart Meters: Detailed electricity, water, or gas usage data, potentially at a granular time resolution.
    • Home Assistants / Smart Speakers: Recordings of voice commands, search queries, and interactions with connected services or devices.