Harvesting Cloud Credentials in iOS and Android Devices: An Investigative Resource

Abstract

Abstract: The innovative advancement in digital data storage has facilitated the storage of important files and documents on cloud storage, where the digital data is stored in logical pools. The widespread use of mobile and cloud technologies in our daily lives has led to a significant increase in the amount of sensitive data stored on these platforms, owing to their user-friendliness and secure storage capabilities. The flexibility of cloud storage for accessing any files anywhere and with the limited storage capacity of mobile devices, users are increasingly relying on cloud storage to store their data. Therefore, data extraction from mobile devices and cloud storage has become a critical area of research in the field of digital forensics. This study presents, stepby-step guide that helps Digital Forensic Investigators (DFIs) to acquire saved cloud credentials on iOS and Android mobile phones. Such credentials lead to successful cloud data extraction of relevant digital evidence in an ethical and forensically sound manner. The study emphasizing the need for continuous research in the field of mobile and cloud forensics to tackle the latest threats and vulnerabilities in these domains.