(also backtracking attack)
Backtracking is a cybersecurity term that refers to the process of tracing a cyberattacker’s steps by analyzing the digital footprints left during an attack. This method helps security experts and law enforcement agencies identify the attacker’s identity, location, and techniques used as well as prevent future attacks by uncovering vulnerabilities exploited by the attacker.
Backtracking focuses on tracing the steps of a cyberattacker, while digital forensics encompasses a broader range of activities, including the collection, preservation, analysis, and presentation of digital evidence in legal cases.