Building a Virtual Digital Forensics Lab Using VirtualBox and Windows 11
Creating a virtual digital forensics lab is an essential step for developing practical skills in computer forensics. A virtual environment provides a safe, isolated workspace where forensic tools can be installed, tested, and used without affecting the host system. For this project, I built a digital forensics lab using Oracle VirtualBox, installed Windows 11 as the guest operating system, and configured Wireshark as my primary forensic analysis tool.
Purpose of the Digital Forensics Machine
The main purpose of this virtual machine is to provide a controlled environment for practicing packet capturing, network traffic inspection, and basic forensic investigation techniques. Running these tools on a virtual machine ensures that any testing, experimentation, or mistakes do not compromise my physical computer. The virtual lab also supports repeatable workflows, making it easier to practice the same forensic procedures multiple times.
System Requirements
Hardware Requirements
- Processor: Quad-core CPU
- RAM: 16 GB (allocated 6–8 GB to the VM)
- Storage: 60 GB free disk space
- Virtualization support: Intel VT-x / AMD-V enabled in BIOS
Software Requirements
- Oracle VirtualBox (latest version)
- Windows 11 ISO (from Microsoft’s official website)
- Wireshark (network forensics tool)
Building the Lab – Step-by-Step
1. Installing VirtualBox
I downloaded VirtualBox from the official Oracle website and completed the installation using the default recommended options. VirtualBox was selected because it is free, lightweight, and widely used in academic and professional cybersecurity environments.
Official site: https://www.virtualbox.org/
[Insert Screenshot: VirtualBox successfully installed]
2. Creating the Virtual Machine
I created a new virtual machine titled “Forensics-Lab-Win11” and assigned the following specifications:
- 6 GB RAM
- 3 CPU cores
- 50 GB virtual hard disk (VDI)
- UEFI with Secure Boot disabled for compatibility
- Network Adapter: Bridged Adapter (to capture real network traffic)
[Insert Screenshot: VM settings in VirtualBox]
3. Installing Windows 11
Next, I attached the Windows 11 ISO file and proceeded with the installation inside the virtual machine. I chose Windows 11 because it is a modern operating system commonly used in enterprise environments and is compatible with a wide range of forensic tools. Once the installation completed, I performed Windows Updates to ensure system stability and security.
[Insert Screenshot: Windows 11 installation complete]
4. Installing Wireshark
After the operating system was configured, I downloaded Wireshark directly from the official developer site. Wireshark is one of the most widely used tools for digital forensics because it allows investigators to capture, filter, and analyze network packets in real time.
Official site: https://www.wireshark.org/
During installation, I also enabled Npcap, which is required for packet capturing on Windows systems.
[Insert Screenshot: Wireshark installed and running]
5. Configuring the Virtual Network
To allow Wireshark to analyze real network traffic, I configured the virtual machine’s network adapter to Bridged Mode. This allows the VM to behave like a separate device on the same network as the host computer. This configuration is important for realistic network capture scenarios.
[Insert Screenshot: Network adapter set to Bridged Mode]
6. Testing the Lab
To confirm everything was working correctly, I launched Wireshark and began capturing packets. I visited a few websites inside the virtual machine, and the packet capture reflected DNS requests, TCP handshakes, and encrypted HTTPS sessions. This confirmed that the environment functions properly for practicing network-based forensic analysis.
Issues Encountered and Resolutions
One minor issue occurred when VirtualBox displayed an error that virtualization was not enabled in the BIOS. To resolve this, I restarted the host computer, entered the BIOS/UEFI menu, and enabled Intel VT-x. After saving the settings and rebooting, the virtual machine ran smoothly.
Another issue appeared when Wireshark initially did not detect any network interfaces. Reinstalling Npcap in compatibility mode and restarting Windows 11 resolved the problem and allowed Wireshark to capture traffic correctly.
Rationale Behind My Design Choices
I selected VirtualBox because it is a free, open-source virtualization platform that is widely used in both academic and professional environments. Windows 11 was chosen due to its relevance in modern organizations and its compatibility with many forensic tools. Wireshark was selected as the primary tool because network forensics is a core skill in digital investigations, and Wireshark provides powerful packet capture and analysis features.
Overall, this setup is lightweight, flexible, and easy to replicate. It provides a safe environment where I can continue to practice and develop my digital forensics skills throughout the program and beyond.
References
Oracle. (2025). VirtualBox documentation. https://www.virtualbox.org/
Wireshark Foundation. (2025). Wireshark network analysis tool. https://www.wireshark.org/
Microsoft. (2025). Windows 11 download page. https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11