CAINE For Linux

CAINE (Computer Aided INvestigative Environment) is a freely distributed and open source GNU/Linux distribution, a desktop-oriented operating system based on the latest LTS (Long Term Support) release of the world’s most popular distribution of Linux, Ubuntu, and designed to be used for digital forensics operations.

The CAINE distribution can be downloaded for free from Softpedia as a hybrid Live DVD ISO image that contains software packages optimized only for the 64-bit (x86_64/amd64) hardware platforms. Being hybrid, the ISO image can be written on a blank DVD disc or a USB flash drive of 4GB or higher capacity, allowing you to boot the OS from the BIOS of your computer.

From the boot menu, the user will be able to start the live system with normal configuration or in safe graphics mode, perform a system memory (RAM) diagnostic test, boot an existing operating system from the local drive, as well as to directly start the installer, change the language and add extra kernel parameters.

The default and only graphical desktop environment of CAINE is Xfce, which provides users with a very lightweight and low on resources interface, which uses a traditional layout comprised of a single, transparent panel located on the bottom edge of the screen. The panel includes various useful widgets, such as the main menu, an application launcher, a task manager and the system tray area.

Being designed from the ground up to be used for digital forensic operations, the CAINE distribution comes pre-loaded with a wide range of tools that can be used for various digital forensic operations. These include Mobius, Autopsy, PhotoRec, QuickHash, TestDisk, XDview, FMount, NBTempo, Fred, Remote Filesystem Mounter, Log2Timeline, TkDiff and XHFS.