Smart TVs allow the user to browse the Internet, use applications, or simply watch live TV. For this reason, smart TVs can hold a multitude of forensic evidence that can be useful to an investigation. While the number of brands and the sophistication of technologies continue to grow in this emerging market, many data types are retrievable from most Smart TVs. For example, most models record the kinds of devices that have been connected to the smart TV,
Device Type: Home Entertainment
Game consoles
In addition to playing video games and movies, these devices are stylized networked computers. They are internet-enabled, file storage systems that can store and process photos, music, home movies, or any other sort of electronic file. Note, however, that the data may be stored encrypted and require other techniques to access.
- Examples: Microsoft Xbox, Sony Playstation
- Technologies: wired and wireless network connectivity, hard drive, video and microphone (with Xbox Kinect)
- More information: http://sytech-consultants.com/useful-articles/games-console-forensics/
GPS Trackers
These devices are small GPS sensors about the size of a large quarter. They are typically stored in, or attached to, personal items in order to locate them if lost. The devices are tracked using smartphone apps, and can communicate using bluetooth (for close-range communication) or GPS signals. They also use crowdsourced GPS techniques in order to determine and relay the location of an item to its owner. This means that while you may not be able to locate your item,
Photo frames
Newer digital photo frames can connect wired or wirelessly to a homeowner’s wireless network, and download images directly from their smart phone, social media (e.g. Facebook, Picassa, Flikr) account, or cloud storage (e.g. dropbox) website. In some cases, these updates can occur automatically (e.g. once per hour), or delivered by others to a custom email account. Some photo frames also include subscription services that enable remote storage. More advanced photo frames even include microphones and cameras in order to support video conferencing.
