Investigating America Online Instant Messaging Application: Data\n Remnants on Windows 8.1 Client Machine

Instant messaging applications (apps) are one potential source of evidence in\na criminal investigation or a civil litigation. To ensure the most effective\ncollection of evidence, it is vital for forensic practitioners to possess an\nup-to-date knowledge about artefacts of forensic interest from various instant\nmessaging apps. Hence, in this chapter, we study America Online Instant\nMessenger (version 7.14.5.8) with the aims of contributing to an in-depth\nunderstanding of the types of terrestrial artefacts that are likely to remain\nafter the use of instant messaging services and app on Windows 8.1 devices.\nPotential artefacts identified during the research include data relating to the\ninstallation or uninstallation, log-in and log-off information, contact lists,\nconversations, and transferred files.\n