Collect identification clues
- Preserve the original and compare multiple samples.
- Inspect magic bytes, header values and embedded strings.
- Note entropy, repeated structures, timestamps and version clues.
- Collect companion files and the producing application.
- Test known database/archive signatures and likely endian or encoding clues.
An extension is weak evidence and high entropy may mean compression, encryption or compressed content—not one certain conclusion.
Escalate only as needed
Once a likely family is identified, use structural analysis or controlled application comparisons. Do not modify the only copy.
See binary analysis, format methodology, proprietary recovery and the pillar.