MemLabs VS bulk_extractor

MemLabs https://github.com/stuxnet999/MemLabs

Volatility Foundation Volatility Framework 2.6 Usage: Volatility - A memory forensics analysis platform. Options: -h, --help list all available options and their default values. Default values may be set in the configuration file (/etc/volatilityrc) --conf-file=/root/.volatilityrc User based configuration file -d, --debug Debug volatility --plugins=PLUGINS Additional plugin directories to use (colon separated) --info Print information about all registered objects --cache-directory=/root/.cache/volatility Directory where cache files are stored --cache Use caching --tz=TZ Sets the (Olson) timezone for displaying timestamps using pytz (if installed) or tzset -f FILENAME, --filename=FILENAME Filename to use when opening an image --profile=WinXPSP2x86 Name of the profile to load (use --info to see a list of supported profiles) -l LOCATION, --location=LOCATION A URN location from which to load an address space -w, --write Enable write support --dtb=DTB DTB Address --shift=SHIFT Mac KASLR shift address --output=text Output in this format (support is module specific, see the Module Output Options below) --output-file=OUTPUT_FILE Write output in this file -v, --verbose Verbose information --physical_shift=PHYSICAL_SHIFT Linux kernel physical shift address --virtual_shift=VIRTUAL_SHIFT Linux kernel virtual shift address -g KDBG, --kdbg=KDBG Specify a KDBG virtual address (Note: for 64-bit Windows 8 and above this is the address of KdCopyDataBlock) ... LABS SET UP This scenario will be using MemLabs cloned from https://github.com/stuxnet999/MemLabs. The labs contain the CTF memory images as referenced earlier.

I think your best bet to start today is to start looking at self-education options (all over youtube, reddit, google) and start shopping for jobs that either have big training budgets or are at a service provider/vendor that offers IR and try to move laterally within it. You'd be surprised by what you get from just shooting your shot. You could consider some really basic certs like Sec + (avoid CEH like the plague unless you're gov't.) or Blue Team Level 1. I like to watch guys like 13cubed, or the surviving digital forensics podcasts and courses. Also just stay aware of infosec news from sources like brian krebs or cyberwire daily. Some other things to think about are ashemery.com/dfir.html and https://github.com/stuxnet999/MemLabs for some good exercises. Don't feel bad for using walkthroughs your first few times. SANS 3 minutes max is also great for quick topics in DFIR

As an alternative, check out Bulk Extractor. There is a GUI version available and is probably a better fit for your task than FTK Imager.

Bulk Extractor and BEViewer might do what you want https://github.com/simsong/bulk_extractor/wiki/BEViewer. Good news is Bulk Extractor is already written in C++ and cross platform, so you just need to do the QT GUI!

Students will benefit from reading this article and then consulting the BE source code, which can be found on GitHub.

Bulk Extractor for file carving: https://github.com/simsong/bulk_extractor