"Professional internet stalking with a badge and a really good understanding of privacy settings."
OSINT, or Open Source Intelligence, is the practice of collecting and analyzing information that is publicly available. This information can come from a variety of sources, including:
OSINT is used by a wide range of organizations, including law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and businesses. It can be used for a variety of purposes, such as:
"Google-fu, social media archaeology, and the ability to find anyone's high school yearbook photo."
"Where 'I found it on the internet' becomes a legitimate intelligence source citation."
OSINT techniques are applied in various real-world scenarios. Examples include:
"Professional digital detective with 47 browser tabs open and somehow knowing what each one is for."
A career in OSINT can be rewarding for those who enjoy research and analysis. Potential roles include:
"When basic Google searches aren't enough, and you need to dive into the digital rabbit hole with specialized tools."
Beyond basic search techniques, advanced OSINT involves: