BrowserDownloadsView¶
What BrowserDownloadsView does¶
Using this tool
BrowserDownloadsView supports browser forensics. In this guide, you will use it to identify a download's source URL, destination path, state, and time. Follow the steps below and keep the output with your notes.
Tool guide at a glance¶
Identify a download's source URL, destination path, state, and time.
A copied training browser profile or supplied browser artefact set.
A browser observation linked to profile, source artefact, time context, and corroborating evidence.
Evidence and safety
Use copied profiles. Do not open recovered links or downloads on the analyst workstation. Record the input identifier, tool version, relevant commands or settings, time and time zone, output location, and any errors or limitations as you work.
Choose your journey¶
01Understand the evidenceLearn the browser forensics concepts and limitations.Complete when you can explain what the evidence can and cannot show.Beginner · No tool required 02Follow the BrowserDownloadsView guideFollow the steps and screenshots below.Complete when the documented workflow produces its expected output.Guided · SUSA workstation · Time varies 03Interactive labPractise the tool workflow in a safe browser simulation.Complete when the guided result is supported by the case evidence.Beginner · Browser only 04Full LabUse your own training data, keep the output and explain what you found.Complete when another analyst can reproduce and verify the outcome.Intermediate · Isolated lab
How the labs complement this guide
The Interactive Lab uses example records to practise investigation decisions. It does not run the installed tool or establish how that version behaves. The Full Lab uses your own training environment and evidence. Obtain or create the required input before starting; a case name in an exercise is not a download.
Accessing BrowserDownloadsView in SUSA¶
BrowserDownloadsView is a tool for Windows that displays the details of downloaded files of Chrome and Firefox Web browsers.
Point the tool at copied browser profile data where possible and record the profile, source path and time zone context. Download records may contain source URLs, target paths and timestamps, but a listed item does not by itself prove that the file still exists or was executed.
Download BrowserDownloadsView.
Move the downloaded ZIP archive to C:\Tools and extract the contents to C:\Tools\BrowserDownloadsView. Open BrowserDownloadsView and confirm that it starts without an error.