How to Analyze OST File for Forensic Investigations? Learn
Forensic OST refers to investigating an Offline Storage Table in forensics analysis. It is a commonly used file that Microsoft Outlook uses to store copies of mailbox data including critical information like emails, contacts, calendars, etc. while working Offline.
In forensics investigations, OST files are often targeted because they can provide valuable evidence about a user’s email activities even if the emails are deleted from the server. Experts use forensic OST tool to access and analyze OST. This process involves recovering the deleted emails, tracking the user’s interactions, and identifying any suspicious activities such as unauthorized access or data breaches for cybersecurity.
However, sometimes research of an OST file is also challenging, and investigators must follow strict protocols. Forensic Microsoft Outlook OST tools are specially designed for a thorough investigation of an OST file even if it is encrypted, corrupted, damaged, or inaccessible.
Importance of Forensic OST
OST file forensics is a critical process for several reasons, some of which are mentioned below:
- OST forensics is important to recover crucial email data from a damaged OST even in the absence of an Outlook account.
- It contains evidence like offline email data including attachments, calendars, contacts, and tasks.
- By analyzing the OST, users can track the user’s activity including sent/received emails, folder creation, and modification as serves them as proof in legal cases and cybersecurity.
- In litigation, emails and communication records are often required as evidence and adherence which can be easily done through forensic OST.
Challenges to Analyze OST File
The following are the main problems that you can face while analyzing an OST file:
- OST files get damaged because of sudden computer shutdowns and hardware problems which makes them challenging to open and research.
- Large OST files become slow and difficult to analyze for performing investigation activities.
- Forensic OST is also challenging when the file is locked or encrypted.
- Some emails and data can be missing during the investigations if the OST is not properly synced with the server.
- Some tools do not work with the offline storage table that is from different versions of Outlook.
- Extracting emails, contacts, attachments, and other data from an OST file can be tricky without the right forensic OST tool.
- It is also difficult to analyze OST file if the header is damaged.
However, these challenges can be easily overcome using the best OST forensics tools provided below. Using these tools, anyone can easily get the task of OST file forensics done effectively without any trouble.
Similar Products
So analyze OST without using Microsoft Outlook. Whether you want to do it casually or require a forensic investigation, you need a .ost file research tool. Hence, we are here to suggest you the best tool for OST file analysis.
Most Trusted OST Forensics Tools for In-Depth Analysis of OST Files
We are going to suggest solutions while addressing the different types of situations here that a user or investigator may encounter during OST forensic and analysis. The situation can be varied. When the .ost files are corrupted, the barrier to forensics investigations can get bigger and other reasons need to be addressed as well so that the user can have a complete solution on this one platform.
1. Forensic OST and Investigations Using a Viewer
You cannot analyze OST file until you do not open or view them. BitRecover Free OST Viewer is designed with an advanced algorithm that allows you to open OST files without an Outlook account and lets you easily analyze them even if they are not working. Any professional like a lawyer, detective, or investigator can use forensic OST file without facing trouble.
2. Investigate the OST File Using a Repair Tool
However, if your OST files are corrupted and you have no idea how to deal with them, we can help you with that too. BitRecover OST Repair Tool, as the name suggests, this tool can easily restore your damaged file and make it healthier for lawyers, detectives, or investigators to extract evidence for OST forensics.
So the point is that if you want to analyze OST files and find out that your files are corrupt, then you need to fix them first. For this purpose, we recommend you use this reliable OST forensics tool and it can get you out of your problem.
3. Forensic Outlook OST File Through a PDF
Now let’s move on to the last situation in the process of analyzing the .ost file. Print Evidence, yes during OST file analysis you need to print some evidence and adherence as well. Hence, the PDF format seems best suited for this purpose. However, this file format is also best for users who are having difficulty accessing the OST file and want to make it more compatible with forensic OST.
Hence, BitRecover OST to PDF Wizard, is the best tool to print evidence from OST files. This application is helpful for anyone who needs to view these files in PDF format. So let’s directly tell you how to analyze OST file via PDF. So, take a look.
Analyze OST File for OST Forensic with Step-by-step Process
- First of all, download and install any of the forensic Outlook OST files tools given above and run them on your Windows-supported device by clicking the given link.
- After starting the tool you will see the welcome page, now click on Next to go to the next screen.
- Click Choose File or Choose a Folder to select .ost files.
- Browse through all of the OST files and prepare to load them into the tool. After uploading, click the Next tab.
- Now select the folders from the preview option and you can view the data on the interface.
- However, if you are using the repair tool or the converter then click on the Repair button or select PDF from the saving option.
Also Know: What causes OST file corruption?
Why Use OST Forensics Tool for Analyzing OST?
- This forensic OST tool is easy to use due to the simple user interface allowing you to find the evidence without facing challenges. Whether you are a regular user or an investigator, you can analyze OST files easily and without any hurdles.
- Allow to convert OST files in bulk to the preferred platform without limiting to select one or a few files for forensic OST.
- The OST forensic tools also allow to change the extension of this file and make it more convenient to analyze the information.
- Allows you to name OST files according to the user’s specific need and sort the resultant files by month, year, subject, day, etc.
- All the above forensic Outlook offline storage table tools are compatible with both Mac and Windows OS, allowing professionals to analyze OST files without facing device issues.
These are some of the common benefits of using forensic OST tools. Moreover, each tool provides specific advantages that you can understand after downloading and using them. These OST forensic tools are the ocean in terms of qualities and functions, so please take the time to use them and understand them for yourself.
In Conclusion
Analyze OST file using the best strategies and fulfill your needs for forensic OST and extract evidence. Whether you just want to investigate and Recover OST or you want to do OST file forensics. You can do it with the suggested tools. We have also given you the solution when your OST file is facing issues due to corruption and you want to repair them.
On the other hand, if you want to print evidence and adherence for unauthorized access, data breaches, or any legal compliance, we have given you the option to do so too. Whatever problems you have with OST analysis, you can now easily solve them with the help of the OST forensics tools.