Digital forensics

Computer Forensics: Alternate Data Streams

Keatron Evans
April 13, 2011 by
Keatron Evans

Alternate Data Streams are a way to store data on a machine that is not readily accessible to users. Using ADS, files are not easily accessible by Windows operating system and they do not show up in any file directory. Windows generates it's own ADS files and most P2P software typically utilize ADS. In this video, one of the bonus labs from the InfoSec Institute Computer Forensics Online Training, we will examine Alternate Data Streams:

  • How to create them manually.
  • How to read them.
  • How to find them if you think they are on a system but are not sure where they might be.

We will also do a brief demonstration of ADS Spy, a tool specifically designed to locate Alternate Data Streams.   Hope this video helps, Keatron

Keatron Evans
Keatron Evans

Keatron Evans is a cybersecurity and workforce development expert with over 17 years of experience in penetration testing, incident response and information security management for federal agencies and Fortune 500 organizations. He is Principal Cybersecurity Advisor at Infosec, where he empowers the human side of cybersecurity with cyber knowledge and skills to outsmart cybercrime. Keatron is an established researcher, instructor and speaker — and lead author of the best-selling book, Chained Exploits: Advanced Hacking Attacks from Start to Finish. He regularly speaks at major industry events like RSA and serves as a cybersecurity subject matter expert for major media outlets like CNN, Fox News, Information Security Magazine and more.

Keatron holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Information Systems and dozens of cybersecurity certifications, including Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) and Licensed Penetration Tester (LTP). When not teaching, speaking or managing his incident response business, KM Cyber Security LLC, Keatron enjoys practicing various martial arts styles, playing piano and bass guitar, and spending time with his family.