Digital Forensics Tool - PhotoRec
PhotoRec is a well-known open-source tool designed for recovering lost files from a variety of storage devices. Unlike many recovery tools that rely on file system metadata, PhotoRec scans the disk at a deeper level, identifying file signatures to recover lost documents, images, videos, and other types of data—even from damaged or reformatted drives.
The tool supports multiple file systems, including FAT, NTFS, exFAT, HFS+, and ext, making it a versatile option for forensic investigators and data recovery specialists. It works with hard drives, USB flash drives, memory cards, and even optical media like CDs and DVDs. To ensure forensic integrity, PhotoRec operates in read-only mode, preventing any modifications to the original data source.
PhotoRec is commonly used in digital forensics, incident response, and personal data recovery. While it has a command-line interface, the step-by-step recovery process is straightforward, making it accessible to both experienced professionals and casual users. As a free and open-source tool, it remains a valuable resource for anyone needing to recover lost or deleted data.
