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SPECIFICTION
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Foremost

github.com

macOSLinux
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Spec score 7.5 #32 of 44 in Photo Recovery Software

Spec sheet

Purpose
Foremost is a console program for recovering files through data carving, using file headers, footers, and internal data structures.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Platforms
The README gives build instructions for Linux, BSD, Solaris, and OSX.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Free plan
YesRead 24 Sep 2026 · github.com
Support
The repository README asks users to report bugs with a description, how they found the bug, and contact information.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Founded
2001Read 28 Sep 2026 · github.com
Built-in types
The README says built-in types use file-format data structures for more reliable and faster recovery.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Configuration
The configuration file specifies each file type’s extension, case sensitivity, maximum size, and header; the footer is optional.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Custom formats
A configuration file lets users specify file types and their extensions, case sensitivity, maximum size, headers, and optional footers.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Example formats
The included configuration file contains examples for formats including AOL ART, GIF, JPEG, PNG, BMP, TIFF, AVI, QuickTime, MPEG, Office, PDF, and audio files.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Feedback
The repository description welcomes comments, suggestions, patches, and feedback, and gives [email protected] for correspondence.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
File types
Built-in file types use their data structures for file recovery, and the README says this can make recovery more reliable and faster.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
History
The README credits Special Agents Kris Kendall and Jesse Kornblum with writing Foremost starting in March 2001.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Input sources
It can scan image files created by tools such as dd, Safeback, and Encase, or scan a drive directly.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Installation
The README instructs users to unpack the archive, compile it, and install it with make commands.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Operating systems
LinuxRead 24 Sep 2026 · github.com
Origin
The repository description says Foremost was originally developed by the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the Center for Information Systems Security Studies and Research, then opened to the public.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Origins
The README credits Special Agents Kris Kendall and Jesse Kornblum of the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations with starting the program in March 2001.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Recovery sources
raw data,disk image filesRead 24 Sep 2026 · github.com
Search options
Configuration entries support forward, reverse, and next search modes, each bounded by a maximum size.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Signature selection
File headers and footers can be defined in a configuration file, and built-in file types can be selected with command-line switches.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Uninstall
The README says Foremost can be removed with make uninstall.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Use
The README directs users to the foremost man page for command-line arguments.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

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