Windows Registry analysis tools
When performing Windows Registry analysis, one of the key considerations is whether to perform live or offline analysis. Each approach has its advantages and disadvantages, as outlined here:
- Live analysis involves examining the registry hives in their current state while the system is running. The primary benefit of live analysis is that it can provide real-time information about the system’s current state. This is useful when analyzing malware or investigating a system that is suspected to have been compromised. However, live analysis can be risky as it can potentially alter the state of the system or result in the loss of volatile data.
- Offline analysis, on the other hand, involves analyzing registry hives that have been copied from the target system while it is not running. This can be done by imaging the hard drive or using a forensic tool to extract the hives. The primary benefit of offline analysis is that it eliminates the risk...