EnCase Computer Forensics, includes DVD: The Official EnCE: EnCase Certified Examiner Study Guide
Product Description
EnCE certification tells the world that you’ve not only mastered the use of EnCase Forensic Software, but also that you have acquired the in-depth forensics knowledge and techniques you need to conduct complex computer examinations. This official study guide, written by a law enforcement professional who is an expert in EnCE and computer forensics, provides the complete instruction, advanced testing software, and solid techniques you need to prepare for the exam. Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file…. More >>
EnCase Computer Forensics, includes DVD: The Official EnCE: EnCase Certified Examiner Study Guide
EnCase Computer Forensics–The Official EnCE : EnCase Certified Examiner Study Guide is AWESOME! Where was this book when I was studying for my EnCE? Good things come to those who wait I guess. I should have waited… Even if you aren’t taking the EnCE exam, buy a copy of this book and impress ANY woman by putting a copy of this baby on your coffee table. Women LOVE geeks.
Rating: 5 / 5
After much debate I decided that I needed to read this book and go through the excercises on the included CD. Unfortunately the CD is defective and will not load (checked it on three different computers, a total of five different drives). Since the book/CD has been opened, I can’t return the item, and now will have to go through the pain of contacting the publisher to see if they will provide a replacement CD. I am a licensed user of the EnCase forensic software, so I am not so much concerned about that part of the CD content as I am about the included evidence files and the “flash cards” for on-the-go studying.
I’ll update this review when I hear back from the publisher.
Rating: 3 / 5
The Official EnCE : EnCase Certified Examiner Study Guide goes far beyond the EnCE Study Guide previously supplied by Guidance Software to EnCE candidates and provides a concise, easy to read yet in-depth EnCase resource.
I highly recommend this book (and DVD) not only to EnCE candidates, but to those who wish to gain a greater understanding of EnCase, its methodology and computer forensic fundamentals.
Rating: 5 / 5
A little background on myself. Former Police Officer and instructor with nearly 15 years of networking experience. I’ve done everything from servers, old Cisco AGS routers, to the newer 6500 series and ASA5500 firewalls. Corporate audits, policy implementation, and SOX consultation are a few more areas of expertise. I’ve even have been featured on several broadcast television shows discussing security. In my spare time, I’ve passed the CCNP/CCDP, CISSP, and am looking forward to the EnCE.
Now for the book:
It does exactly as advertised. I scored a 95% on the written. This book does NOT fall short of expectation. The book is organized not assuming any technical areas of expertise, but does assume some familiarity with computers overall. The basics are reviewed and are not intended to bore more savvy readers, but to re familiarize us with some of the lost or forgotten knowledge required for this exam. It’s arranged in an order that maximized information intake and once you’ve completed chapter 10, you’ll understand the overall objective of the arranged order. Nitpicking typos is just ridiculous if the subject matter is mastered.
The book is geared around FAT. This is done in my opinion because FAT is more useable as a training subject. The differences between the two (NTFS) are major, but from an EnCase standpoint regarding testing it’s trivial. The book was never intended to train someone on FAT or NTFS. Why confuse someone with the intricacies of NTFS if it’s not relevant to the software itself? It’s a manual on EnCase software. Any attempts to train operating system specifics not directly related to the forensic software and would be beyond the scope of this book. They could have used Linux, Windows, or Mac. The mounting, searches, and use of EnCase tools would have been nearly the same. Note: the majority of home users and corporate desktops are in fact using Windows! Many USB supported devices now prevalent are using FAT. In my office, I am one of two persons out of 60 that have Linux loaded. Most of your exposure will be with Windows formatted devices. To learn about OS file systems, there are books that will teach this as their specialty.
My personal review of this book is not influenced by being a co-author of another book. Authors should work cooperatively even if competitive. Believe me, when a book is sub-par or blatantly wrong I will be on Amazon trashing it (look at prior reviews). The included CD has been trashed on past reviews. I cannot really get into why I am saying this, but those people trashing the flip cards and practice tests have in fact NOT sat down for the exam. If you are planning to sit for the exam and don’t use the included study materials on this CD you are 100% missing the ball. EnCase 5 loads and works for the included materials and was never attached to the book with the intent of imaging your own hard drive and playing with the software. Again, the Q&A and materials included are specific to “Study Guide” for the EnCE exam.
EnCase is the court recognized software used for forensic analysis. Regardless of opinion, this is a fact. If you’re going to expose yourself to any forensic software, you should learn this one. If you’re curious and not preparing for an exam, this book is more than suitable for your needs for learning the process in concept. When you’re finished reading you will understand it.
RT
Rating: 5 / 5
I read this book went to take the exam and scored 94. Book and practice test on the CD are great. Highly recommended for EnCE exam prep.
Rating: 5 / 5
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