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Similar to other popular consumer technologies, IM services have also been exploited to commit frauds and scams, disseminate malware, groom children online with the purpose of sexual exploitation etc. According to the report of Radicati Group, the number of worldwide IM accounts (with the exception of mobile messaging) in 2015 amounted to over 3.2 billion which is expected to rise above 3.8 billion by the end of 2019. Instant messaging (IM) is popular with both traditional computing device users (i.e., personal computers and laptops) and mobile device users by allowing them to exchange information with peers in real time using text messaging, voice messaging, and file sharing. Potential artefacts detected during the research include data relating to the installation or uninstallation of the instant messaging application software, log-in and log-off information, contact lists, conversations, and transferred files. This research contributes to an in-depth understanding of the types of terrestrial artefacts that are likely to remain after the use of instant messaging services and application software on a contemporary Windows operating system. In this paper, we seek to determine the data remnants from the use of two popular Windows Store application software for instant messaging, namely Facebook and Skype on a Windows 8.1 client machine. The forensic examination of IM apps for modern Windows 8.1 (or later) has been largely unexplored, as the platform is relatively new. However, the interactive and instant nature of these applications (apps) made them an attractive choice for malicious cyber activities such as phishing.

Instant messaging (IM) has changed the way people communicate with each other.

Multi chat client skype aim google facebook