Elcomsoft Cloud eXplorer Gets Ready for Android O, Extracts SMS Text Messages, Enhanced Location Data from Google Account

MOSCOW, April 26, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

ElcomSoft Co. Ltd. updates Elcomsoft Cloud eXplorer, a digital forensic tool for remotely acquiring information from Google accounts. Version 1.30 adds the ability to download text messages backed up by Google Pixel smartphones and devices running Android O Developer Preview. In addition, the update improves the handling of enhanced location data, Routes and Places. The ability to process users' routes and places significantly improves readability of location data, providing experts a concise list of places instead of numerical geolocation coordinates.

"Each Android iteration makes things more secure", says Vladimir Katalov, ElcomSoft CEO. "The many versions of hardware and software along with OEM customizations make Android acquisition increasingly challenging. Elcomsoft Cloud eXplorer extracts data directly from the user's Google Account. In this release, we can extract text messages backed up by Google Pixel devices as well as all other handsets capable of running Android O Preview. To our knowledge, there is no other way to obtain text messages from a locked device due to full-disk encryption." 

Prior to Android O (currently a developer preview), only Google Pixel devices running any version of Android were able to back up and restored text messages. This functionality is coming to all smartphones once Android O is officially released.

In addition to text message extraction, which is currently only available on Google Pixel smartphones as well as devices running Android O Preview, Elcomsoft Cloud eXplorer 1.30 adds the ability to pull enhanced location data.

"Location history is extremely important for investigations", adds Andy Malyshev, ElcomSoft CTO. "We improved the handling of location data, now extracting enhanced mapping information such as user's Routes and Places to show exactly which places user visited and what routes they traveled instead of just dropping a number of nameless pins." 

The ability to back up and restore text messages largely depend on the device itself as well as the version of Android it is running.

Extracting Text Messages from Google Account 

Since Android 6 enforcing full-disk encryption and implementing a secure biometric authentication API, Android acquisition became a challenge. Full-disk encryption makes physical acquisition of locked devices impossible, while secure lock screen implementations in Android 6 and 7 make bypassing security an iffy endeavor.

At the same time, Google moves more things into the cloud. Android 6 added fully automated backups that include application data. While Android backup mechanism is yet far from perfect, Google makes constant improvements to its implementation. In particular, Android O (currently a developer preview) adds SMS text messages to the list of items that are automatically stored in the cloud.

Elcomsoft Cloud eXplorer 1.30 helps future-proof mobile forensics by downloading and extracting text messages backed up by Android O and Google Pixel handsets. Experts can now use Elcomsoft Cloud eXplorer to download SMS text messages saved to the user's Google Account as part of Android O and Google Pixel cloud backups.

The tool automatically downloads and extracts all text messages saved as parts of all device backups available in the Google Account. Once the text messages are pulled from available device backups, experts can run a searches through all messages originated from all devices.

The ability to extract text messages from a Google Account is unique to Elcomsoft Cloud eXplorer. No other third-party tools are available to pull text messages from Android cloud backups.

The ability to back up and restore text messages is currently limited to Google Pixel devices running any version of Android, as well as to all handsets capable of running Android O Preview.

Enhanced Location Data 

In addition to text messages, the latest build of Elcomsoft Cloud eXplorer offers significant improvements in the way it handles location data. The new release adds the ability to process Google's new Places and Routes categories. The new location engine in Elcomsoft Cloud eXplorer can now correctly identify, extract and process user's navigation routes and display places they visited (based on Google's POI). This significantly improves readability of location data, providing a list of places (such as restaurants, landmarks or shops) instead of plain numbers representing geolocation coordinates.

Routes 

Elcomsoft Cloud eXplorer can also extract users' routes based on information contained in Google's mapping service. Unlike generic routes that are built by placing numerical coordinates onto the map, the new Routes feature pulls information about the user's routes directly from Google. This offers significantly more information, and includes methods of transport, stopovers, and places visited during the trip.

About Elcomsoft Cloud eXplorer 

Elcomsoft Cloud eXplorer is an all-in-one solution for acquiring and analyzing information collected and stored by Google in the user's Google Account. The tool offers forensic specialists access to users' search history, up to 6 years of detailed location history, contacts, email communications, Chrome browsing history, notes, messages, and much more. Featuring selective access and blazing fast acquisition, Elcomsoft Cloud eXplorer is world's most advanced tool for Google forensics.

System Requirements 

Elcomsoft Cloud eXplorer supports Windows 7, 8, 8.1, and Windows 10 as well as Windows 2008-2016 Server.

Pricing and Availability 

Elcomsoft Cloud eXplorer is immediately available. North American pricing starts from $1995. Local pricing may vary. Elcomsoft Cloud eXplorer is available stand-alone or as part of Elcomsoft Mobile Forensic Bundle ($2995), which includes a comprehensive range of mobile acquisition and analysis tools for devices running Apple iOS, BlackBerry 10, Windows Phone and Windows 10 Mobile.

About ElcomSoft Co. Ltd. 

Founded in 1990, ElcomSoft Co. Ltd. develops state-of-the-art computer forensics tools, provides computer forensics training and computer evidence consulting services. Since 1997, ElcomSoft has been providing support to businesses, law enforcement, military, and intelligence agencies. ElcomSoft tools are used by most of the Fortune 500 corporations, multiple branches of the military all over the world, foreign governments, and all major accounting firms. ElcomSoft is a Microsoft Partner (Gold Application Development), Intel Premier Elite Partner and member of NVIDIA's CUDA/GPU Computing Registered Developer Program.