Different tools use different approaches, and may or may not be able to locate certain files. Our tools of choice are (in alphabetical order):ĭuring the investigation, experts often use automated disk scanning facilities provided by forensic analysis tools to locate all available Skype databases. In this article, we’ll be using several tools to analyze a sample Skype database. Having said that, it’s pretty obvious that any Skype analysis tool used in the course of a forensic investigation must be able to recognize and recover records kept in the freelist. The deleted records will not be kept in the freelist forever, but if an investigator is analyzing the database fairly soon after the user cleans Skype history, the chance of getting some or even most information back is reasonably high. Instead, they are temporarily placed into a so-called “freelist”. As an example, records being deleted (“cleared”) from a Skype history are not erased immediately.
As a result, certain SQLite-specific considerations are applicable to Skype databases.
How Skype Stores History Logsīefore we begin analyzing Skype databases, let’s have a brief look at how Skype keeps its records. In this article, we’ll look at tools, methods and techniques used by forensic specialists to handle evidence contained in cleared Skype histories and deleted SQLite databases, particularly those located on formatted or repartitioned hard drives or discovered in the computer’s volatile memory. At this point, only dedicated forensic tools can still be used to recover deleted databases and extract evidence from cleared Skype logs. Suspects may and do destroy evidence by clearing chat histories and/or physically deleting Skype logs. While viewing records an existing, healthy SQLite database is not a big deal, performing a forensic analysis of such database has quite different requirements. These tools range from freeware utilities to fully featured and highly expensive forensic suites. Accessing and analyzing this evidence is essential for many investigations involving a seized PC.Īt this time, there are lots of tools that can be used to view and analyze SQLite databases. Chat logs, information about voice calls made and received, and a lot of other information is available in these SQLite databases. Recent versions of Skype are using SQLite databases to keep all history items. Hundreds of millions of people use Skype every day, generating a lot of potential evidence. It is difficult to underestimate popularity of Skype. This article describes common approaches used for the recovery of cleared Skype histories and deleted chat logs, and discusses methods and techniques for recovering evidence from cleared and damaged SQLite databases.
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