Isolating the system from the network is the most important step during forensic analysis when trying to learn the purpose of an unknown application. An unknown application is an application that is not recognized or authorized by the system or network administrator, and that may have been installed or executed without the user’s knowledge or consent. An unknown application may have various purposes, such as:
Providing a legitimate or useful function or service for the user, such as a utility or a tool
Providing an illegitimate or malicious function or service for the attacker, such as a malware or a backdoor
Providing a neutral or benign function or service for the developer, such as a trial or a demo
Forensic analysis is a process that involves examining and investigating the system or network for any evidence or traces of the unknown application, such as its origin, nature, behavior, and impact. Forensic analysis can provide several benefits, such as:
Identifying and classifying the unknown application as legitimate, malicious, or neutral
Determining and assessing the purpose and function of the unknown application
Detecting and resolving any issues or risks caused by the unknown application
Preventing and mitigating any future incidents or attacks involving the unknown application
Isolating the system from the network is the most important step during forensic analysis when trying to learn the purpose of an unknown application, because it can ensure that the system is isolated and protected from any external or internal influences or interferences, and that the forensic analysis is conducted in a safe and controlled environment. Isolating the system from the network can also help to:
Prevent the unknown application from communicating or connecting with any other system or network, and potentially spreading or escalating the attack
Prevent the unknown application from receiving or sending any commands or data, and potentially altering or deleting the evidence
Prevent the unknown application from detecting or evading the forensic analysis, and potentially hiding or destroying itself
The other options are not the most important steps during forensic analysis when trying to learn the purpose of an unknown application, but rather steps that should be done after or along with isolating the system from the network. Disabling all unnecessary services is a step that should be done after isolating the system from the network, because it can ensure that the system is optimized and simplified for the forensic analysis, and that the system resources and functions are not consumed or affected by any irrelevant or redundant services. Ensuring chain of custody is a step that should be done along with isolating the system from the network, because it can ensure that the integrity and authenticity of the evidence are maintained and documented throughout the forensic process, and that the evidence can be traced and verified. Preparing another backup of the system is a step that should be done after isolating the system from the network, because it can ensure that the system data and configuration are preserved and replicated for the forensic analysis, and that the system can be restored and recovered in case of any damage or loss.
