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Browser Forensics – DFIR Workflow & Cheatsheet

Quick Reference: Investigation Priority Matrix

Priority
Artifact
Key Questions Answered
Volatility

HIGH

History & Downloads

What sites? When? What files?

Medium

HIGH

Session Restore

Active tabs at incident time?

High

HIGH

Cache

What content viewed? Screenshots?

Medium

MEDIUM

Cookies

Session data? Authentication?

Low

MEDIUM

Auto-Complete Data

What was searched/typed?

Low

MEDIUM

Stored Credentials

What accounts accessed?

Low

LOW

Bookmarks

Sites of interest (may never visit)

Very Low

LOW

Extensions

Capabilities added? Malicious?

Very Low

Investigation Workflow

Phase 1: Initial Triage (High Priority)

Goal: Establish timeline and user activity scope

1.1 Browser History & Download History

What it tells you: Websites visited, frequency, downloaded files, timeline

Firefox Locations:

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<random>.default\places.sqlite

Chrome/Edge Locations:

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\<Profile>\History
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\<Profile>\History

Key Investigation Points:

  • ✓ Check ALL profiles (Default, Profile1, Profile2, etc.)

  • ✓ Visit frequency indicates user interest/habit

  • ✓ Download metadata: filename, size, source URL, referring page

  • ✓ Check both downloads and download_url_chains tables (Chromium)

  • ✓ Cross-reference with filesystem timestamps

SQLite Tables to Query:

  • urls - Browsing history

  • visits - Individual visit records with timestamps

  • downloads - Download metadata

  • download_url_chains - Redirect chains

1.2 Session Restore Files

What it tells you: Active browser state at crash/incident time

Firefox Locations:

# Newer versions (JSONLZ4 format)
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<random>.default\sessionstore.jsonlz4
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<random>.default\sessionstore-backups\

# Older versions
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<random>.default\sessionstore.js

Chrome/Edge Locations:

# Newer versions
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\<Profile>\Sessions\
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\<Profile>\Sessions\
Files: Session_<timestamp>, Tabs_<timestamp>

# Older versions
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\<Profile>\
Files: Current Session, Current Tabs, Last Session, Last Tabs

Key Investigation Points:

  • ✓ HIGHLY VOLATILE - Capture early in investigation

  • ✓ Shows tabs open at time of incident/crash

  • ✓ Includes referring URLs (how user got there)

  • ✓ May contain form data, JavaScript state

  • ✓ Browser window configuration (size, pinned tabs)

  • ✓ Tab transition types reveal navigation method

Phase 2: Content Analysis (Medium Priority)

Goal: Understand what content user actually viewed

2.1 Cache Files

What it tells you: Actual webpage content, images, media viewed

Firefox Locations:

# Firefox 32+
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<random>.default\cache2

# Firefox 31 and earlier
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<random>.default\Cache

Chrome/Edge Locations:

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\<Profile>\Cache\
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\<Profile>\Cache\
Files: data_# and f_######

Key Investigation Points:

  • ✓ Provides "snapshot in time" of viewed content

  • ✓ Recover actual images, videos, documents

  • ✓ Timestamps: first cached AND last viewed

  • ✓ Can reconstruct pages even if history cleared

  • ✓ Tied to specific local user account

  • ✓ Use specialized tools (NirSoft ChromeCacheView, MZCacheView)

2.2 Media History (Chromium Only)

What it tells you: Audio/video played on websites

Chrome/Edge Locations:

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\<Profile>\Media History
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\<Profile>\Media History

Key Investigation Points:

  • ✓ Three primary tables: playback, playbackSession, origin

  • ✓ URLs of media played

  • ✓ Watch time duration

  • ✓ Last video position (where user stopped)

  • ✓ Last play time

  • ⚠️ Unclear persistence when other history cleared

Phase 3: User Behaviour & Intent (Medium Priority)

Goal: Understand user searches, inputs, and interests

3.1 Auto-Complete Data

What it tells you: User searches, form inputs, typed URLs

Firefox Locations:

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<random>.default\places.sqlite
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<random>.default\formhistory.sqlite

Chrome/Edge Locations - By Data Type:

Search Terms:

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\<Profile>\History
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\<Profile>\History
Table: keyword_search_terms

Web Form Data:

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\<Profile>\Web Data
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\<Profile>\Web Data

Omnibox (URL Bar) Entries:

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\<Profile>\Shortcuts
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\<Profile>\Shortcuts

Keystroke-Level Recording:

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\<Profile>\Network Action Predictor
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\<Profile>\Network Action Predictor
⚠️ Records typing letter-by-letter

Login Credentials:

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\<Profile>\Login Data
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\<Profile>\Login Data

Key Investigation Points:

  • ✓ Shows user knowledge and intent

  • ✓ Connects typed data to user account

  • ✓ Search terms reveal investigation targets

  • ✓ Network Action Predictor = keystroke logger

  • ✓ Form data may include PII, credentials

3.2 Cookies

What it tells you: Session data, authentication tokens, tracking

Firefox Locations:

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<random>.default\cookies.sqlite

Chrome/Edge Locations:

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\<Profile>\Network\Cookies
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\<Profile>\Network\Cookies

Key Investigation Points:

  • ✓ Confirms website visits

  • ✓ Session authentication tokens

  • ✓ User preferences and settings

  • ✓ Tracking/advertising IDs

  • ✓ Creation and expiration times

  • ✓ May persist after history clearing

Phase 4: Configuration & Credentials (Low-Medium Priority)

Goal: Understand browser setup and account access

4.1 Stored Credentials

What it tells you: Saved usernames/passwords for websites

Firefox Locations:

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<random>.default\logins.json

Chrome/Edge Locations:

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\<Profile>\Login Data
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\<Profile>\Login Data

Key Investigation Points:

  • ✓ Encrypted via Windows DPAPI

  • ✓ Firefox: JSON format with hostname, URL, creation time, last used

  • ✓ Chrome/Edge: SQLite with origin URL, username, date created/used

  • ⚠️ Win 10/11 Microsoft accounts: DPAPI uses 44-char random password

  • ✓ Metadata available even if passwords encrypted

  • ✓ Best retrieved on live system with user logged in

  • ✓ Shows accounts user accessed

4.2 Browser Preferences

What it tells you: Privacy settings, sync status, user engagement

Firefox Locations:

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<random>.default\prefs.js

Chrome/Edge Locations:

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\<Profile>\Preferences
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\<Profile>\Preferences

Key Investigation Points:

  • ✓ Firefox: Sync status, last sync time, artifacts synced

  • ✓ Chrome/Edge: JSON format

    • per_host_zoom_levels - Sites frequently visited

    • media-engagement - Media interaction scores

    • site_engagement - Overall site interaction

  • ✓ Edge: account_info, clear_data_on_exit, sync settings

  • ✓ Privacy settings (anti-tracking, cookie policies)

  • ✓ Sync can move artifacts across devices - check timestamps carefully

Phase 5: Supporting Artifacts (Low Priority)

5.1 Bookmarks

What it tells you: Sites of interest (not necessarily visited)

Firefox Locations:

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<random>.default\places.sqlite
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<random>.default\bookmarkbackups\bookmarks-<date>.jsonlz4

Chrome/Edge Locations:

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\<Profile>\Bookmarks
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\<Profile>\Bookmarks
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\<Profile>\Bookmarks.bak
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\<Profile>\Bookmarks.msbak

Key Investigation Points:

  • ✓ JSON format (Firefox backups, all Chromium)

  • ✓ Shows intent/interest, not necessarily activity

  • ⚠️ Not all bookmarks are user-generated (defaults exist)

  • ⚠️ Can bookmark without visiting

  • ✓ Firefox: Multiple backup copies in bookmarkbackups folder

  • ✓ Check .bak files for deleted bookmarks

5.2 Extensions & Add-ons

What it tells you: Added capabilities, potential malware vector

Firefox Locations:

# Firefox 26+
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<random>.default\addons.json
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<random>.default\extensions.json

# Firefox 4-25
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<random>.default\extensions.sqlite
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<random>.default\addons.sqlite

Chrome/Edge Locations:

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\<Profile>\Extensions\<GUID>\<version>\
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\<Profile>\Extensions\<GUID>\<version>\

Key Investigation Points:

  • ✓ Firefox: Name, source, install time, last update, status

  • ✓ Chrome/Edge: Each extension in GUID-named folder

    • Folder creation time = installation time

    • manifest.json = name, URL, permissions, version

  • ✓ Check Preferences file for additional extension data

  • ⚠️ Extensions can sync across devices (affects timestamp interpretation)

  • ✓ Look for suspicious permissions (screen capture, keylogging, etc.)

  • ✓ Cross-reference with known malicious extensions

Critical Investigation Tips

Multi-Profile Awareness

⚠️ ALWAYS check for multiple browser profiles:
- Default
- Profile 1, Profile 2, Profile 3...
- Guest profiles
- Work profiles (Edge)

Timestamp Interpretation

✓ Cache: First cached vs. Last accessed
✓ Downloads: Start time vs. End time
✓ Cookies: Created vs. Expires vs. Last accessed
✓ History: Visit time (can have multiple per URL)
⚠️ Sync can alter timestamps - check sync settings

Data Persistence Hierarchy

Most Persistent:
1. Cookies (often survive clearing)
2. Bookmarks
3. Stored Credentials
4. Extensions
5. Preferences

Least Persistent:
6. Auto-complete data
7. History
8. Cache
9. Session Restore (most volatile)

Anti-Forensics Detection

Check for:
- Browser cleaning tools in history (CCleaner, BleachBit)
- Privacy-focused browsers (Tor, Brave private mode)
- Extensions for history clearing
- Preferences: clear_data_on_exit = true
- Gaps in history timelines
- Mismatched artifact timestamps

Live System vs. Dead Disk

LIVE SYSTEM ADVANTAGES:
✓ Decrypt stored credentials (DPAPI with user logged in)
✓ Capture active sessions
✓ View current cache state
✓ Access locked SQLite databases

DEAD DISK ADVANTAGES:
✓ No data contamination
✓ Deleted artifact recovery
✓ Volume shadow copies
✓ Unallocated space carving

Essential DFIR Tools

SQLite Browsers

  • DB Browser for SQLite - View/query .sqlite files

  • SQLite Forensic Explorer - Deleted record recovery

Browser-Specific Tools

  • Hindsight - Chrome/Chromium timeline analysis

  • NirSoft BrowsingHistoryView - Multi-browser history

  • NirSoft ChromeCacheView - Cache file extraction

  • NirSoft MZCacheView - Firefox cache extraction

  • Firefox Forensics Toolkit

Comprehensive Suites

  • Magnet AXIOM - Full browser artifact processing

  • X-Ways Forensics - Browser artifact templates

  • Autopsy - Open-source browser modules

  • KAPE - Browser artifact collection targets

Manual Analysis

# Query SQLite from command line
sqlite3 History "SELECT url, title, last_visit_time FROM urls ORDER BY last_visit_time DESC LIMIT 100;"

# Convert Chrome timestamps (microseconds since 1601-01-01)
# Use online converters or custom scripts

# Decompress Firefox JSONLZ4
# Use mozlz4 Python library or LZ4 tools

Quick Command Reference

Identify Browser Profiles

# Chrome
dir "C:\Users\*\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data" -Directory

# Edge  
dir "C:\Users\*\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge\User Data" -Directory

# Firefox
dir "C:\Users\*\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles" -Directory

Collect All Browser Artifacts (PowerShell)

$destination = "C:\Cases\BrowserForensics"
$user = $env:USERNAME

# Chrome
Copy-Item "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\Google\Chrome\User Data" -Destination "$destination\Chrome" -Recurse

# Edge
Copy-Item "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\Microsoft\Edge\User Data" -Destination "$destination\Edge" -Recurse

# Firefox
Copy-Item "$env:APPDATA\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles" -Destination "$destination\Firefox" -Recurse

Hash Browser Databases (Before Analysis)

Get-ChildItem -Path "C:\Cases\BrowserForensics" -Recurse -Include *.sqlite,*.db,*.json | 
    Get-FileHash -Algorithm SHA256 | 
    Export-Csv -Path "C:\Cases\BrowserHashes.csv"

Investigation Checklist

Initial Response

  • [ ] Identify all user accounts on system

  • [ ] Identify all browsers installed

  • [ ] Document current date/time and timezone

  • [ ] Check if users currently logged in (live system)

  • [ ] Capture volatile session restore files FIRST

Data Collection

  • [ ] Collect all browser profiles (not just Default)

  • [ ] Hash all databases before opening

  • [ ] Document sync settings and last sync times

  • [ ] Check for browser backup/cleaning tools

  • [ ] Capture browser process memory (if live)

Analysis

  • [ ] Establish baseline timeline from history

  • [ ] Correlate downloads with filesystem artifacts

  • [ ] Cross-reference cookies with history

  • [ ] Check auto-complete for searches related to incident

  • [ ] Review extensions for malicious/suspicious capabilities

  • [ ] Analyse session restore for incident timeframe

  • [ ] Examine cache for evidence of viewed content

Reporting

  • [ ] Timeline of relevant browsing activity

  • [ ] Downloads tied to incident

  • [ ] Search terms indicating intent

  • [ ] Websites accessed related to case

  • [ ] Evidence of anti-forensics

  • [ ] Account credentials discovered

  • [ ] Screenshots/content from cache

File Path Environment Variables

%USERPROFILE% = C:\Users\<username>
%LOCALAPPDATA% = C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local
%APPDATA% = C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming

Notes & Gotchas

  1. Chrome Timestamp Format: Microseconds since January 1, 1601 (Windows FILETIME)

  2. Firefox JSONLZ4: Requires special decompression (mozlz4 library)

  3. DPAPI Encryption: Tied to user account; decrypt on live system while logged in

  4. Profile Sync: Can move artifacts between devices - verify device origin

  5. Private/Incognito: Leaves NO browser artifacts (check RAM, pagefile, network logs)

  6. Extensions Storage: Some extensions have their own databases with user data

  7. Service Workers: May cache data outside standard cache locations

  8. Browser Version Matters: Artifact locations change between major versions

  9. Chromium Variants: Brave, Opera, Vivaldi use similar structures to Chrome

  10. Mobile Browsers: Different artifact locations (not covered here)

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