Challenges of evidence acquisition in wireless ad-hoc networks

Network forensics plays a major role in the investigation of criminal activities involving computer networks. Investigating such crimes is still an open research area due to the fact that technology is always advancing hence investigators must always be up-to-date with technological advancements. Wireless ad-hoc networks are one of the technologies that have the potential to expand. Due to the unpredictable nature of wireless ad-hoc networks, carrying out investigations in these networks poses a big challenge. Thus, the aim of this paper is to explore the challenges of acquiring live evidence in wireless ad-hoc networks. We also give some legal requirements of evidence admissibility as outlined in the Communications and Transactions Act of South Africa. An analysis of these challenges will help investigators to come up with effective measures for live evidence acquisition in wireless ad-hoc networks. We also highlight possible solutions to some of the challenges identified in this paper.