Digital Forensics Questions
The difference between logical and physical acquisition in mobile device forensics lies in the level of data extraction and the methods used.
Logical acquisition refers to the process of extracting data from a mobile device through the operating system or software interfaces. It involves accessing the file system and retrieving data that is readily available to the user. This method is non-intrusive and does not require specialized tools or physical access to the device. Logical acquisition typically retrieves user-generated data, such as contacts, messages, call logs, and application data.
On the other hand, physical acquisition involves creating a bit-by-bit copy of the entire storage media of a mobile device. This method requires physical access to the device and specialized tools or software. Physical acquisition captures all data stored on the device, including deleted files, system files, and unallocated space. It provides a more comprehensive view of the device's storage and can recover data that may not be accessible through logical acquisition.
In summary, logical acquisition focuses on extracting user-generated data through software interfaces, while physical acquisition involves creating a complete copy of the device's storage media to capture all data, including deleted and system files.