FORENSIC ANALYSIS OF KIK MESSENGER ON ANDROID DEVICES

Abstract

The impact of forensic evidence found on smartphones cannot be overemphasized when compared to that found on their digital counterparts such as personal computers (PCs). Recently, third-party instant messaging applications have gradually replaced the traditional messaging applications and as such they contain a large amount of information which are far from forensic solutions. This seminar paper focuses on the forensic analysis of Kik messenger: a multi-platform instant messaging or chat application on android devices. Forensic images of three android devices with android versions 4.4 (KitKat), and 5.0 (Lollipop) and different android manufacturers are captured and data related to Kik are identified and examined. Artefacts of forensic values are then identified and analyzed. The result of this research will help digital forensic investigators and academia alike in locating and acquiring digital evidence from Kik messenger on android platforms