Terms of use

1. Who we are

The Institute of Digital Forensic Examiners (IDFE) runs idfe.global, which offers free courses and paid certification exams in two tracks. Computer Forensics: Digital Forensics Foundation (DFF), Computer Forensic Examiner (CFX), Mobile Forensic Examiner (MFX) and Forensic Report & Expert Testimony (FRET). Digital Assets: Blockchain Explorer (BE), Digital Assets Foundations (DF), Certified Digital Assets Professional (DA), Certified Crypto Compliance Professional (CC), Certified Blockchain Analyst (BA) and Certified Crypto Forensics Specialist (CF).

By creating an account you accept these terms. Questions about them go through the contact form.

2. Accounts

You sign in with a one-time email link or with Google, and you are responsible for keeping access to them secure. One person, one account.

The name, country and company or organization in your profile appear on your certificates and public credential pages, so keep them accurate.

3. Courses and content

Courses are free, have no time limit and are optional: no exam requires a course. They are provided for education and are not legal advice.

Course text, figures and exam items belong to IDFE. You may quote short passages with attribution, but you may not copy, sell or republish courses. Exam content is confidential.

4. Vouchers and payments

A voucher gives access to one exam with two attempts within 12 months of purchase. If the first attempt fails, the second opens 7 days later. Vouchers are personal and cannot be transferred.

Prices are in US dollars: BE free, DF USD 49, DA USD 79, CC USD 79, BA USD 79, CF USD 99, DFF USD 99, CFX USD 249, MFX USD 249 and FRET USD 399. Payments are processed by Stripe; IDFE never sees or stores your card number.

5. Credentials

When you pass, a certificate is issued in the name in your profile. It is valid for 5 years from the date of issue and listed in the public registry, where anyone with its code can check it.

Badges are awarded automatically from valid certifications: IDFE Core (two certifications), IDFE Distinction (three paid certifications), IDFE Master Examiner (the whole Computer Forensics track), IDFE Digital Assets Specialist (the paid certifications of the Digital Assets track) and IDFE Fellow (the eight certifications beyond the foundations).

A certification is independent evidence of knowledge and practical skill. It does not by itself qualify anyone to act as a court-appointed expert. IDFE may revoke a certificate, after review, when an exam rule was broken; the registry then shows it as revoked, with the reason.

6. Liability

IDFE works to keep the site and its content accurate and available, but does not guarantee that they are free of errors or interruptions. IDFE is not responsible for decisions that employers, courts or others make on the basis of a credential.

Nothing in these terms limits the rights that consumer law in your country gives you. Material changes to these terms are announced in My Account › Messages at least 30 days before they take effect.