What does "write blocker" refer to in digital forensics?

In digital forensics, a write blocker is a critical tool used to prevent any modifications to the original evidence during the examination process. By ensuring that no data can be written to the storage media, a write blocker helps maintain the integrity of the evidence, allowing forensic professionals to create a bit-for-bit image of the data without altering the original device. This is essential for preserving the authenticity and credibility of the evidence for later analysis and potential court proceedings.

The importance of using write blockers lies in the legal and procedural requirements of digital forensics, which mandate that the original evidence must remain unchanged and unadulterated. Consequently, when conducting forensics on hard drives, USBs, or other storage devices, using a write blocker is a standard practice to ensure that the investigative process does not compromise the chain of custody or the validity of the evidence.