Forensic characteristics of creation, use and distribution of malicious computer programs
- DOI
- 10.5922/ vestnikhum-2025-2-2
- Pages
- 20—33
Abstract
Malicious software and viral phishing attacks have remained for several consecutive years among the most effective tools for infiltrating information infrastructure. In the vast majority of cases, the exploitation of malicious software is associated with gaining access to systems containing confidential information and its theft, which constitutes the least costly method for delivering and executing malicious code on a recipient’s device. Given that the increase in unlawful acts related to the creation, use, and distribution of malicious computer programs is a significant factor in the self-reproduction of cybercrime, it is reasonable to explore the possibilities for optimizing their investigation process, in particular by examining the elements that comprise their forensic profile. The object of the study is the legal relationships arising in the investigation of crimes in the field of computer information associated with the creation, use, and distribution of malicious computer programs. The main goal is to reveal the content of the elements of the forensic profile of these offenses, taking into account the current development of information technologies and trends in the exploitation of malicious software. The theoretical significance of the study lies in the description of the forensic profile of the examined crimes, which may serve as the basis for forming their informational model (digital twins), and this constitutes the conceptual scientific novelty. The applied value of typical forensic profiles of crimes in the field of computer information lies in their potential use for the development of specific forensic investigation techniques, the creation of new forensic records based on digital evidence databases, and the design of specialized software in the form of decision support systems used, for example, in the formulation of investigative hypotheses and planning of investigations.