Introduction
This post has been a long time coming for me. I will use this post to address all newbie questions I’ve fielded in regard to the use of Discord, or how to join the server successfully. Believe it or not, we have a lot who join the server but never gain access due to not following through with the brief verification process new members have to go through. This post is aimed to help those who are new to Discord, and/or the Digital Forensics Discord Server, in hopes that it will provide them with a better understanding of how it all works, as well as achieving a higher success rate of getting new members in upon their first attempt joining!
Also, if this is your first time on AboutDFIR, stay awhile and listen! Let us know what you like or want to see more of here! Be sure to also check out my recent blog post relating to all the DFIR resources here!
Joining the Digital Forensics Discord Server
There are multiple ways to join the server. They are as follows:
- Sending a blank email to digitalforensicsdiscord@gmail.com, or
- Clicking this link
Regardless of which method used, it’s highly advised to create your Discord account prior to using one of the above links. It’ll make things much smoother when it comes to joining this server (or any, for that matter).
Gaining Access to All Channels Within the Digital Forensics Discord Server
Once you have joined the server, a bot will automatically assign you a role. Roles in Discord allow Administrators and Moderators to set channel permissions in the server based on which role someone has. They also allow members to be labeled according to who they are, what they do, etc. In the Digital Forensics Discord Server, once you have a role assigned, you have access to all the channels in the server. Roles serve as a way to label a member given that there are Law Enforcement, Private Sector, various vendors, and people who work on specific DFIR-related projects or tools. The labeling allows the community to know each person’s skill set, involvement, or relation to the DFIR field. One role doesn’t have more access or privileges over another, outside of the Moderators role.
For instance, someone who works in Law Enforcement in France, but is also a part-time instructor for a forensic vendor, would be labeled with the following roles: Law Enforcement [France] and DFIR Instructor. Someone who works for a vendor would be assigned the role of their respective employer. Someone who works in the Private Sector for a company such as Kroll but is also the developer for a popular open-source tool would be labeled with the following roles: Private Sector and *insert name of the tool here*.
To gain access to the channels and content in the server, you will need to post your role in the #role-assignment channel. Please include a brief background of what you do and who you are to the extent that you feel comfortable. Based on what you post will determine what role(s) you are assigned. If any further verification is required by the Moderators, you will be asked to email digitalforensicsdiscord@gmail.com from your work or school email address.
The important thing about role assignment is to be PATIENT! Time zones are a real thing and sometimes the moderators and I wake up to multiple unassigned people despite posting their brief biographies in the #role-assignment channel. We are human and we get to it as quickly as we can. So if you don’t get access within a few minutes, check back the next day and you are almost guaranteed to have been assigned a role and thus access has been granted to you. If you still don’t have access after a day, private message one of the Moderators.
If you do not post in the #role-assignment channel and thus a role isn’t assigned to you, you will be purged from the server by an automated bot and you will have to join again in an attempt to gain access to the server once more. We do this so the member count isn’t artificially inflated with members who are sitting in New Members role limbo.
Member Conduct in the Digital Forensics Discord Server
Ah yes, what would a professional community such as the one found in the Digital Forensics Discord Server be without a set of rules? Here are the rules for the server:
- Be polite, respectful, and professional. This server consists largely of working professionals who utilize this server to solve real problems for real cases they are currently working on. A lot of progress is accomplished here and we do not want this jeopardized by unprofessional, toxic posting habits.
- Do not share any sensitive information that you wouldn’t want the media to share with everyone. For those in LE, it would be wise to leave out identifying details about a case (suspect/victim’s name, address, etc).”
- No discussion of sensitive topics commonly protected by NDA such as GrayKey’s capabilities. If you see something that you think violates the terms of an NDA, please notify the Moderators.
- Do not spam the server with sales pitches or posting behavior that is counterproductive to the purpose of the server. If you’re unsure on how to act in this server, lurk for a few days to witness the culture of the server. It’s a professional server with lots of working professionals where low content posting/trolling won’t be received well.
- Please note you may be kicked out of this server for any behavior the mods feel is threatening to the community in any way. There is no probable cause or due process here. This rule is very rarely utilized but it’s here simply as a fair warning to everyone. Being here is a privilege, not a right.
- If you belong to a vendor, please keep the mudslinging about other vendors off the public channels. Mudslinging comments and other conduct unbecoming will be swiftly deleted. Let’s keep this channel professional and the water warm for everyone regardless of vendor affiliation.
- There is an #off-duty channel designated for anything non-DFIR related. All DFIR related conversations should occur in the appropriate channels.
- Any members who do not conduct themselves professionally or in a manner that threatens the wellbeing of the server, or its membership, shall be temporarily placed in Discord Jail. This is a role created specifically for temporarily removing all access to the main channel list. Once in there, the member will be given a dedicated channel for which to have a conversation with the Moderators to figure out a resolution to the behavior that caused being placed in Discord Jail. This is used very sparingly but exists only for those most extreme circumstances.
- English only, please. Any extensive conversation in any other language should be conducted over DM.
Revised: 19MAY2020
How to Best Utilize the Digital Forensics Discord Server using Discord
Discord is an awesome chat application. Let’s go over some of the best ways to utilize it while in the Digital Forensics Discord Server.
DFIR Channels
The server boasts approximately 25 DFIR-related channels at the time of this writing. This will fluctuate given current events, trending topics of interest, and member requests. Channels that are inactive for extended periods of time are subject to being archived and removed from the channel list. If anyone has a suggestion for a channel, please let us know!
There are many channels relating to various sub-disciplines within DFIR. Topics ranging from mobile forensics, computer forensics, incident response, password cracking, and many more are all available for your perusal.
Using the Search
I created this for those who are using Discord via the desktop client or the web browser. This is a ridiculously narrow search but it’s meant to show how you can string elements of a search together to narrow down the search. Discord’s search is VERY useful for locating previous solutions to problems others have experienced. The entire history of the server is at your disposal! See below:
Quoting Messages
I created this for those who are using Discord via the desktop client or the web browser.
For those on Android/iOS, utilize any right-click equivalents (long pressing, etc) to locate the context menus that’ll give you the option to quote.
Muting Channels or Categories
I created this for those who are using Discord via the desktop client or the web browser.
For those on Android/iOS, utilize any right-click equivalents (long pressing, etc) to locate the context menus that’ll give you the option to mute.
Managing Notifications
I created this for those who are using Discord via the desktop client or the web browser. You can manage notifications for each individual server you’re a member of. This is highly recommended to avoid notification overload!
After you navigate here, you will be presented with the following:
Make adjustments as you deem necessary to fit your personal preferences.
Tagging Moderators/Vendors/Existing Members in a Message
I created this for those who are using Discord regardless of the client they’re using (desktop client/web browser/mobile app). All apps function identically as the only requirement is the @ symbol to mention a member or role.
What Else?
If anyone has any requests for How-To GIFs, please let me know and they will be added here as appropriate.