Analyzing $MFT
Within the realm of computer forensics, the Master File Table (MFT) assumes a pivotal role within the Windows operating system. Functioning as a repository, the MFT houses vital details pertaining to every file and directory stored on a computer’s hard drive.
The $MFT is one of the most important files within NTFS. This artifact keeps a record of all files in the volume, as well as the file location and metadata, and an entry for dates relating to creation, modification, and access. The information stored within this artifact is called MFT entries.
Each file has its own entry in $MFT, starting from 0 being the $MFT entry.
The structure of the MFT in NTFS is complex and consists of multiple records, each of which represents a file or directory on the NTFS volume. Each MFT record is 1,024 bytes, making the MFT very simple to parse. An MFT record has the following general structure:
- File record header: This section contains information about the...