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Comparison of Persistence of Deleted Files on Different File Systems and Disk Types

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posted on 2024-04-20, 20:30 authored by Chinmay Amul ChhajedChinmay Amul Chhajed

The presence of digital devices in various settings, from workplaces to personal spaces, necessitates reliable and secure data storage solutions. These devices store data on non-volatile media like Solid State Drives (SSDs) and Hard Disk Drives (HDDs), ensuring data preservation even after power loss. Files, fundamental units of data storage, are created, modified, and deleted through user activities like application installations or file management. File systems, acting as the backbone of the system, manage these files on storage devices.

This research explores how three key factors: (1) different operating systems running various file system types (ext4, NTFS, FAT, etc.), (2) different disk types (SSD and HDD), and (3) common user activities (system shutdowns, reboots, web browsing, downloads, etc.) influence the persistence of deleted files.

This research aims to fill a gap in the understanding by looking at how these factors influence how quickly new information overwrites deleted files. This is especially important for digital forensics, where investigators need to be sure they can find all the evidence on a device. The research will focus on how operating systems handle deleted files and how everyday activities affect the chances of getting them back. This can ultimately improve data security and make digital forensics more reliable.

History

Degree Type

  • Master of Science

Department

  • Computer and Information Technology

Campus location

  • West Lafayette

Advisor/Supervisor/Committee Chair

Abdul Salam

Additional Committee Member 2

Deepak Nadig

Additional Committee Member 3

Sudip Vhaduri

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