#FactCheck - Philadelphia Plane Crash Video Falsely Shared as INS Vikrant Attack on Karachi Port

Introduction:

Welcome to the third edition of our blog on digital forensics series. In our previous blog we discussed the difference between copying, cloning, and imaging in the context of Digital Forensics, and found out why imaging is a better process. Today we will discuss the process of evidence collection in Digital Forensics. The whole process starts with making sure the evidence collection team has all necessary tools required for the task.

Investigating Tools and Equipment:

Below are some mentioned tools that the team should carry with them for a successful evidence collection:

• Anti-static bags
• Faraday bags
• Toolkit having screwdrivers(nonmagnetic), scissors, pins, cutters, forceps, clips etc.
• Rubber gloves
• Incident response toolkit (Software)
• Converter/Adapter: USB, SATA, IDE, SCSI
• Imaging software
• Volatile data collection tools (FTK Imager, Magnet Forensics RAM Capture)
• Pens, permanent markers
• Storage containers
• Batteries
• Video cameras
• Note/sketch pads
• Blank storage media
• Write-Blocker device
• Labels
• Crime scene security tapes
• Camera

What sources of Data are necessary for Digital Evidence?

• Hard-Drive (Desktop, Laptop, External, Server)
• Flash Drive
• SD Cards
• Floppy Disks
• Optical Media (CD, DVD)
• CCTV/DVR
• Internal Storage of Mobile Device
• GPS (Mobile/Car)
• Call Site Track (Towers)
• RAM

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Evidence Collection

The investigators encounter two primary types of evidence during the course of gathering evidence: non-electronic and electronic evidence.

The following approaches could be used to gather non-electronic evidence:

• In the course of looking into electronic crimes, recovering non-electronic evidence can be extremely important.  Be cautious to make sure that this kind of evidence is retrieved and kept safe. Items that may be relevant to a later review of electronic evidence include passwords, papers or printouts, calendars, literature, hardware and software manuals, text or graphical computer printouts, and photos.  These items should be secured and kept for further examination.
• They are frequently found close to the computer or other related hardware.  Locating, securing, and preserving all evidence is required by departmental procedures.

Three scenarios arise for the collection of digital evidence from computers: 

Situation 1: The desktop is visible, and the monitor is on.

• Take a picture of the screen and note the data that is visible. 
• Utilize tools for memory capturing to gather volatile data.
• Look for virtual disks. If so, gather mounted data's logical copies.
• Give each port and connection a label.
• Take a picture of them.
• Turn off network access to stop remote access.
• Cut off the power or turn it off.
• Locate and disconnect the hard drive by opening the CPU chassis.
• Take all evidence and place it in anti-magnetic (Faraday) bags.
• Deliver the evidence to the forensic lab.
• Keep the chain of custody intact.

Situation 2: The monitor is turned on, but it either has a blank screen (sleep mode) or an image for the screensaver.

• Make a small mouse movement (without pressing buttons). The work product should appear on the screen, or it should ask for a password.
• If moving the mouse does not result in a change to the screen, stop using the mouse and stop all keystrokes.
• Take a picture of the screen and note the data that is visible.
• Use memory capturing tools to gather volatile data (always use a write blocker to prevent manipulation during data collection).
• Proceed further in accordance with Situation 1.

Situation 3: The Monitor Is Off

• Write down the "off" status.
• After turning on the monitor, check to see if its status matches that of situations 1 or 2 above, and then take the appropriate action.
• Using a phone modem, cable, confirm that you are connected to the outside world. Try to find the phone number if there is a connection to the phone.
• To protect evidence, take out the floppy disks that might be there, package each disk separately, and label the evidence.  Put in a blank floppy disk or a seizure disk, if one is available. Avoid touching the CD drive or taking out CDs.
• Cover the power connector and every drive slot with tape.
• Note the serial number, make, and model.
• Take a picture of the computer's connections and make a diagram with the relevant cables.
• To enable precise reassembly at a later date, label all connectors and cable ends, including connections to peripheral devices. Put "unused" on any connection ports that are not in use.  Recognize docking stations for laptop computers in an attempt to locate additional storage media.
• All evidence should be seized and placed in anti-magnetic (Faraday) bags.
• All evidence should be seized and placed in anti-magnetic (Faraday) bags.
• Put a tag or label on every bag.
• Deliver the evidence to the forensic lab.
• Keep the chain of custody intact. 

Following the effective gathering of data, the following steps in the process are crucial: data packaging, data transportation, and data storage.

The following are the steps involved in data packaging, transportation, and storage:

Packaging:

• Label every computer system that is gathered so that it can be put back together exactly as it was found

When gathering evidence at a scene of crime,

• Before packing, make sure that every piece of evidence has been appropriately  labeled and documented.
• Latent or trace evidence requires particular attention, and steps should be taken to preserve it.
• Use paper or antistatic plastic bags for packing magnetic media to prevent static electricity. Do not use materials like regular plastic bags (instead use faraday bags) that can cause static electricity. 
• Be careful not to bend, fold, computer media like tapes, or CD-ROM.
• Make sure that the labels on every container used to store evidence are correct.

Transporting

• Make sure devices are not packed in containers and are safely fastened inside the car to avoid shock and excessive vibrations. Computers could be positioned on the floor of the car,and monitors could be mounted on the seat with the screen down .

When transporting evidence—

• Any electronic evidence should be kept away from magnetic sources.  Radiation transmitters, speaker magnets, and heated seats are a few examples of items that can contaminate electronic evidence.
• Avoid leaving electronic evidence in your car for longer than necessary. Electronic devices can be harmed by extremes in temperature, humidity.
• Maintain the integrity of the chain of custody while transporting any evidence.

Storing

• Evidence should be kept safe and away from extremes in humidity and temperature. Keep it away from dust, moisture, magnetic devices, and other dangerous impurities.  Be advised that extended storage may cause important evidence—like dates, times, and system configurations—to disappear. Because batteries have a finite lifespan, data loss may occur if they malfunction. Whenever the battery operated device needs immediate attention, it should be informed to the relevant authority (eg., the chief of laboratory, the forensic examiner, and the custodian of the evidence). 

CONCLUSION:

Thus, securing the crime scene to packaging, transportation and storage of data are the important steps in the process of collecting digital evidence in forensic investigations. Keeping the authenticity during the process along with their provenance is critical during this phase. It is also important to ensure the admissibility of evidence in legal proceedings. This systematic approach is essential for effectively investigating and prosecuting digital crimes.

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Introduction

A bill requiring social media companies, providers of encrypted communications, and other online services to report drug activity on their platforms to the U.S. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) advanced to the Senate floor, alarming privacy advocates who claim the legislation transforms businesses into de facto drug enforcement agents and exposes many of them to liability for providing end-to-end encryption.

‍Why is there a requirement for online companies to report drug activity?

The reason behind the bill is that there was a Kansas teenager died after unknowingly taking a fentanyl-laced pill he purchased on Snapchat. The bill requires social media companies and other web communication providers to provide the DEA with users’ names and other information when the companies have “actual knowledge” that illicit drugs are being distributed on their platforms.

There is an urgent need to look into this matter as platforms like Snapchat and Instagram are the constant applications that netizens use. If these kinds of apps promote the selling of drugs, then it will result in major drug-selling vehicles and become drug-selling platforms.

Threat to end to end encryption

End-to-end encryption has long been criticised by law enforcement for creating a “lawless space” that criminals, terrorists, and other bad actors can exploit for their illicit purposes. End- to end encryption is important for privacy, but it has been criticised as criminals also use it for bad purposes that result in cyber fraud and cybercrimes.

Cases of drug peddling on social media platforms  

It is very easy to get drugs on social media, just like calling an Uber. It is that simple to get the drugs. The survey discovered that access to illegal drugs is “staggering” on social media applications, which has contributed to the rising number of fentanyl overdoses, which has resulted in suicide, gun violence, and accidents.

According to another survey, drug dealers use slang, emoticons, QR codes, and disappearing messages to reach customers while avoiding content monitoring measures on social networking platforms. Drug dealers are frequently active on numerous social media platforms, advertising their products on Instagram while providing their WhatApps or Snapchat names for queries, making it difficult for law officials to crack down on the transactions.

There is a need for social media platforms to report these kinds of drug-selling activity on specific platforms to the Drug enforcement administration. The bill requires online companies to report drug cases going on websites, such as the above-mentioned Snapchat case. There are so many other cases where drug dealers sell the drug through Instagram, Snapchat etc. Usually, if Instagram blocks one account, they create another account for the drug selling. Just by only blocking the account does not help to stop drug trafficking on social media platforms.

Will this put the privacy of users at risk?

It is important to report the cybercrime activities of selling drugs on social media platforms. The companies will only detect the activity regarding the drugs which are being sold through social media platforms which are able to detect bad actors and cyber criminals. The detection will be on the particular activities on the applications where it is happening because the social media platforms lack regulations to govern them, and their convenience becomes the major vehicle for the drugs sale.

Conclusion

Social media companies are required to report these kinds of activities happening on their platforms immediately to the Drugs enforcement Administration so that the DEA will take the required steps instead of just blocking the account. Because just blocking does not stop these drug markets from happening online. There must be proper reporting for that. And there is a need for social media regulations. Social media platforms mostly influence people.

Introduction

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India is making strides in developing its own quantum communication capabilities, despite being a latecomer compared to nations like China and the US. In the digital age, quantum communication is gradually becoming one of the most important technologies for national security. It promises to transform secure data exchange across government, financial, and military systems by enabling unhackable communication channels through quantum concepts like entanglement and superposition.  Scientists from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and IIT Delhi recently demonstrated quantum communication over a distance of over one kilometre in free space. One significant step at a time, India's quantum roadmap is beginning to take shape thanks to strategic partnerships between top research institutes and defence organisations.

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Recent Developments

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• In February 2022, by DRDO and IIT Delhi, a 100 km Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) link was established between Prayagraj and Vindhyachal using pre-existing commercial-grade optical fibre, with secure key rates of up to 10 kHz. This proved that using India's current telecom infrastructure to implement quantum-secure communication is feasible.
• Scientists at DRDO finished testing a 6-qubit superconducting quantum processor in August 2024, showing complete system integration by submitting quantum circuits through a cloud interface, running them on quantum hardware, and updating the results. 
• A free-space QKD demonstration over over 1 km was conducted in June 2025, with a secure key rate of approximately 240 bits/s and a Quantum Bit Error Rate (QBER) of less than 7%. A crucial step towards satellite-based and defence-grade secure networks, this successful outdoor trial demonstrates that quantum-secure communication is now feasible in actual atmospheric conditions.

• India is looking to space as well. Since 2017, the Raman Research Institute (RRI) and ISRO have been collaborating on satellite-based QKD, with funding totalling more than ₹15 crore. In 2025, a specialised QKD-enabled satellite called SAQTI (Secured Applications using Quantum and optical Technologies by ISRO) is anticipated to go into orbit. The initiative's foundation has already been established by ground-based quantum encryption trials up to 300 meters.
• In India, private companies such as QNu Labs are assisting in the commercialisation of quantum communication. QNu, which was founded at IIT Madras, has created the plug-and-play QKD module Armos, the quantum random number generator (QRNG)Tropos, and the integrated platform QShield, which combines QKD, QRNG, and post-quantum cryptography (PQC). 

Where India Stands Globally

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India is still in its infancy when compared to China's 2,000 km Beijing–Shanghai QKD network and its satellite-based communication accomplishments. Leading nations like the US, UK, and Singapore are also ahead of the curve, concentrating on operationalising QKD trials for government systems and incorporating post-quantum cryptography (PQC) into national infrastructure.

However, considering the nation's limited prior exposure to quantum technologies, India's progress is noteworthy for its rapid pace and indigenous innovation.

Policy Challenges and Priorities

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• Strong policy support is required to match India's efforts in quantum communication. The standardisation of PQC algorithms and their incorporation into digital public infrastructure have to be major priorities.
• Scaling innovation from lab to deployment through public-private partnership
• Accelerating satellite QKD to establish a secure communications ecosystem owned by India.
• International standards compliance and worldwide interoperability for secure quantum protocols.

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Conclusion

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India has made timely strides in quantum communication, spearheaded by DRDO, IITs, and ISRO. Establishing unbreakable communication systems will be essential to national security as digital infrastructure becomes more and more integrated into governance and economic life. India can establish itself as a significant player in the developing quantum-secure world with consistent investment, well-coordinated policy, and international collaboration.

References

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• https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/quantum-communication-iit-delhi-drdo-entanglement-qkd-explained/article69705017.ece 
• https://drdo.gov.in/drdo/quantum-technologies 
• https://www.indiatoday.in/science/story/the-end-of-hacking-how-isro-and-drdo-are-building-an-unhackable-quantum-future-2743715-2025-06-22 
• https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2136702 
• https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1800648 
• https://thequantuminsider.com/2024/08/29/indias-drdo-scientists-complete-testing-of-6-qubit-superconducting-quantum-processor/ 
• https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2077600 
• https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2121617 
• https://www.rri.res.in/news/quic-lab-achieves-next-step-towards-realising-secure-satellite-based-quantum-communication#:~:text=QuIC%20lab%20achieves%20the%20next,transactions%2Dsafe%2D2561836.html 
• https://www.gsma.com/newsroom/post-quantum-government-initiatives-by-country-and-region/ 
• https://tech.hindustantimes.com/tech/news/rri-demonstrates-secure-satellite-based-quantum-communication-in-collaboration-with-isro-71680375748247.html 

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