Introducing ‘Spidernet’ - a smart tech tool to tackle digital crime

Key highlights:

• University experts in computing and criminology have unveiled a new framework - SpiderNet - which could identify owners of devices such as smartphones which have been used to commit crime 

• Spidernet is a significant development in smart tech forensics and could be the foundation for development of an effective system for tackling digital or digitally aided criminal activity

• Spidernet is the result of a joint research project by the University of Portsmouth and University of Winchester

Experts in computing and criminology from the University of Portsmouth and University of Winchester have unveiled a new digital forensics tool, designed to track smart device owners and retrieve crucial data - even information criminals thought was deleted or destroyed.

Published in Future Internet 2025, the prototype framework called ‘Spidernet’ applies cloud computing principles to map digital infrastructures, uncovering hidden data trails left by smart technology. 

From smartphones to robots, modern devices store vast amounts of personal and operational data. Spidernet can analyse these digital fingerprints to identify device owners and extract critical information, even if it’s stored remotely in the cloud.

Dr Mo Adda from the University of Portsmouth’s School of Computing, said: “The SpiderNet model draws its inspiration from the interconnected nature of country servers, or data centres, which form a star-like structure that mirrors a spider’s web. Each star configuration consists of a country server at the centre, surrounded by a set of regional servers forming a resilient and secure environment for the preservation of evidence.”

Smart devices come with diverse hardware configurations, software systems, designs, and functions. Each device has its own, distinct physical identifiers such as manufacturer details, model numbers, serial numbers, SIM card data, and more. In the SpiderNet framework, these identifying features are referred to as ‘genes’, with a complete set of genes called ‘DNA’.

“Country servers managing the DNAs of various devices use alert flags to indicate the status of each DNA”, explained Dr Adda. “These alert flags are changeable and convey essential information, such as whether a DNA has reached its end of life and should be deleted, whether it contains illegal content requiring law enforcement action, if it has been duplicated by hackers, if it is set up for preventive forensic investigations, or if a court order is required for jurisdictional rules.”

By tracking these digital DNA markers, the system can pinpoint the identity of a device owner, detect unauthorised tampering or cloning, retrieve crucial evidence for law enforcement, and flag illegal content or security threats in real time.

The prototype Spidernet framework provides the foundation for future research and the potential for a new and powerful approach to investigating crimes involving smart machines. 

Co-researcher, Dr Nancy Scheidt from the University of Winchester’s Department of Policing, Criminology and Forensics, said: “Digital forensics, broadly defined, is a process that focuses on recovering, retrieving and analysing material and data stored or transmitted digitally to reconstruct past events. 

“However, to date there is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Different technologies require tailored tools and approaches to ensure effective investigations. But, with Spidernet, there is the potential to streamline the interrogation of smart technology to access information and images which have been stored or transmitted digitally.”

Developing digital forensic methods such as preventative forensics, is part of the SpiderNet providing real-time detection capabilities. 

Dr Scheidt added: “SpiderNet could be fully realised by a cloud service provider and widely deployed by organisations such as intelligence agencies, police forces or the military, with adaptations to meet specific security, compliance and operational requirements.”

Future research and financial investment will be needed to create the technology combining  machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance Spidernet’s ability to detect and prevent criminal activities.