STC instructor uses computer forensics to find out for sure

If you have been in a romantic relationship for any period of time, you have probably wondered – is she seeing someone else; is he e-mailing that girl that passed along her address; or is she chatting with other guys behind my back? Although you can easily press the “delete” key or clear out your Internet history, there are still ways to use computer technology to “catch them in the act.”

“Computer forensics” sounds like the stuff of CSI: Miami and James Bond, but it is being used in the Valley everyday to catch cheaters. In fact, STC instructor Rey Anzaldua has been helping loved ones get the information they need to make tough decisions for close to two decades.

“Computer forensics is really an art, finding hidden information in a computer system and it’s amazing what you can find if you just do a little snooping and know the right places to look,” said Anzaldua. “The average person puts far too much confidence in the ‘recycle bin’ or deleting information. Once information is saved or downloaded to a computer, it’s never really gone!”

STC students have the unique opportunity to learn from Anzaldua first hand by taking his Computer Forensics and Computer Security classes.

“Not a lot of people know that we are offering these cool classes and so I hope that more students will realize that this isn’t just a hobby, but a real career path as well,” said Anzaldua. “Computer forensics can be a profitable and very rewarding career. In addition to helping with investigations on cheating spouses, I spend a lot of time helping law enforcement, government groups and large corporations with computer crime cases.”

Students interested in the courses will learn a variety of skills including how data is really stored and how to extract this data, even when deleted.

“There are no other colleges in the Valley offering students these kinds of courses,” said Anzaldua. “This is a rare and unique opportunity for students to learn first hand from a true professional. I travel the world working on cases and I hope that I can inspire students to look into computer forensics as an interesting and high paying career path.”

In addition to teaching courses and working as a freelance professional, Anzaldua has co-authored a text book on computer forensics called Computer Forensics: Principles and Practices.

“I was honored to be asked to work on this book and I think it will be a great classroom tool, as well as a good instruction manual for self-taught learners,” added Anzaldua.

He is also using his skills and knowledge to venture into other areas like cell phone and PDA forensics.

“I recently worked with a company testing out forensic equipment used in investigations of cell phone technology and how terrorists might be using the hardware and software to cause explosions,” added Anzaldua. “The ability and knowledge of computer forensics can open the doors to many wonderful and good paying career opportunities. Computers are at the center of today’s society and that is not going to change, so the opportunity for young people is there for them to seize.”

For more information about computer forensics or upcoming class schedules, contact Anzaldua at 872-2730 or reya@southtexascollege.edu.

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