RAM Forensics Simplified: A Guide to Using Magnet DumpIt

Memory forensics plays a critical role in cybersecurity investigations. Live memory can contain vital evidence such as running processes, open connections, decrypted malware, and user credentials.

In this blog, we’ll cover how to create a memory dump (.dmp) of a Windows system using Magnet DumpIt, a powerful and trusted tool in the DFIR (Digital Forensics and Incident Response) world.

What is Magnet DumpIt?

Magnet DumpIt is a lightweight, command-line memory acquisition tool developed by Magnet Forensics. It captures the physical memory (RAM) of a Windows system and saves it as a .dmp file, which can then be analyzed using tools like Volatility or Rekall.

Key Features:

• Captures complete physical memory

• Trusted in the forensic community

• Minimal footprint – suitable for live acquisitions

• Supports x86 and x64 Windows

Prerequisites

• Windows target machine

• Admin privileges

• USB drive or external disk (to store the dump file)

• Magnet DumpIt binary

Step-by-Step: Capturing RAM with DumpIt

1. Download DumpIt

Download the latest version from Magnet Forensics. Ensure you verify its hash for integrity.

💡 Always use a trusted and write-protected USB to store the executable.

2. Prepare for Acquisition

• Close unnecessary applications (if allowed).

• Use an administrator account or elevate privileges via right-click > "Run as administrator".

• Open Command Prompt (cmd.exe) as Admin if running from CLI.

3. Run DumpIt

Double-click DumpIt.exe or execute it via CLI:

DumpIt.exe

After a brief prompt, the tool begins capturing the memory. The process may take a few minutes depending on the RAM size.

4. Check Output

By default, DumpIt creates a .dmp file in the same directory as the executable.

Example default filename:

TARGET-PC-20250517-061433.dmp

📦 Understanding DumpIt’s Default File Naming

The default naming convention used by DumpIt follows this format:

<HOSTNAME>-<YYYYMMDD>-<HHMMSS>.dmp

Example:

TARGET-PC-20250517-061433.dmp

While helpful, this naming convention lacks contextual details about the system (OS version, architecture, etc.).

Recommended Naming Convention (Best Practice)

To ensure better tracking during investigations, consider renaming the file post-capture using the following format:

<HOSTNAME>-<OS>-<ARCH>_<BUILDNUMBER>_<DATE>_<CASEID>.dmp

Example:

TARGET-PC-win10x64_10.0.19045_20250517_CASE001.dmp

This format improves clarity and makes it easier to:

• Match with forensic reports or chain-of-custody

• Identify the OS version and architecture quickly

• Avoid confusion when dealing with multiple dumps

You can extract OS info using the systeminfo command:

systeminfo > system_details.txt

Analysis Tools for .dmp Files

After capture, the dump can be analyzed with tools like:

• Volatility / Volatility3

• Rekall

Real-World Tip

Always capture memory before shutting down a suspicious machine. Memory contains volatile indicators that are lost on reboot.

Conclusion

Memory forensics begins with sound acquisition. Magnet DumpIt offers a fast and reliable way to capture memory without heavy dependencies. By following proper naming conventions and post-capture procedures, you ensure your evidence remains traceable, organized, and admissible.