Tools up: the best software and hardware tools for computer forensics

Digital forensic analyst Igor Mikhailov (Group‑IB) reviews a comprehensive toolkit for computer and mobile forensics, comparing hardware and software across the workflow: mobile extraction and analysis (Cellebrite UFED Touch 2/4PC + UFED Physical Analyzer, MSAB XRY/Field/Kiosk, Rusolut chip‑off), mobile analysis suites (Oxygen Forensic Suite, Magnet AXIOM, Belkasoft Evidence Center), hardware write‑blockers (**Tableau T35U**, **Wiebetech Forensic UltraDock v5**), computer forensics platforms (legacy **EnCase**/**FTK** vs. modern leaders **Magnet AXIOM**, **Belkasoft**, **X‑Ways Forensics**), data recovery leaders (**ACELab**, **R‑Studio**, **UFS Explorer**), and key open‑source and DFIR distributions (**Autopsy**, **Photorec**, **Eric Zimmerman/KAPE**, **SIFT**, **Kali Linux**), noting strengths, limitations, pricing, and training considerations to guide purchasing and usage.