Exam 312-49v10 topic 1 question 663 discussion

B. Look for distinct repeating patterns on the hard drive at the bit level When a drive wiping utility is used to securely erase data, it usually overwrites the existing data with random patterns or specific bit patterns to ensure that the original data cannot be recovered. By analyzing the hard drive at the bit level, you can look for patterns that suggest deliberate data erasure.

A drive wiping utility will overwrite data on the hard drive with random data or zeroes, creating a distinct repeating pattern on the hard drive at the bit level. A forensic investigator can use various tools to examine the hard drive at the bit level, such as hex editors or specialized forensic analysis software. By analyzing the data at the bit level, an investigator can identify the presence of a drive wiping utility even if the utility's keys are not present in the Windows registry.