Top 101+ OSINT Resources for Online Investigators to Gather Expert Intelligence
Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) is a treasure trove for investigators. Here are over 101 resources to help you gather information effectively.
General OSINT Search
Start your investigation with a general search using various search engines. While Google is a great starting point, different tools can yield unique results.
- Ask
- Bing
- Dogpile
- DuckDuckGo
- Oscobo (UK-based, doesn’t track users)
- Qwant (doesn’t track users)
- StartPage (Google search, doesn't track users)
- Yahoo
- Yandex
Searching People
When searching for a person, consider every possible variation of their name, including nicknames, usernames, and shortened versions. You can also search by telephone number, email address, physical address, image, or articles mentioning them.
- Ancestry
- AnyWho
- Black Book Online (public records)
- BeenVerified
- Canada 411
- InfoBel
- Intelius
- MelissaData
- PeekYou
- Pipl
- Public Records
- Snitch.name (username search)
- Spokeo
- ThisNumber
- UserSearch
- Webmii
- ZabaSearch
- ZoomInfo
Searching Social Media & Profiles
OSINT can help you find a person's profile and discover their online activities. Searching for secondary connections like friends, family, colleagues, and ex-partners can reveal a lot about your target.
- Ashley Madison
- Blogspot
- Classmates
- Flickr
- hi5
- Match
- Meetup
- MySpace
- OurTime
- ReverbNation
- Sportstats
- Tagged
- Trendsmap
- WordPress
- YouNow
- YouTube
Searching Images and Video
Search image and video social sites to find photos, videos, and related discussions. OSINT resources can provide a wealth of information.
Online Communities and Blogs
Blogs, online communities, and free domain hosting sites are valuable OSINT sources. Look for these details using names, usernames, email IDs, or phone numbers to find more information.
- Angelfire
- Boardreader
- Deviantart
- Domain Tools
- Google Groups
- IMDB
- Nexopia
- Omgili
- Quora
- Tumblr
- Typepad
- WordPress
- Yahoo Groups
Classified Listings
Classified listings can be a source of OSINT in investigations. They can reveal information about buyers, sellers, and locations.
- Amazon
- American Listed
- Clickooz
- Craigslist
- eBay
- Hotfrog
- Kijiji
- Manta
- OLX
- PicClick
- SaleSpider
- Used
- VendAnything
Background Checks
Conducting background checks requires specific skills and knowledge. Here are some OSINT resources provided by Cynthia Hetherington.
Business Search Sites
When conducting due diligence investigations, or researching a person for an interview, use a variety of OSINT business search sites.
- Angie's List
- Better Business Bureau
- BizNar
- Bloomberg Businessweek
- Central and Eastern European Business Directory
- Corporate Information
- Foursquare
- Guidestar
- Industry Canada
- InsiderPages
- Leadership Connect
- Open Corporates
- PIBuzz
- SEC
- SEC Company Search
- Yelp
Bitcoin and Blockchain Searches
People have used cryptocurrency transactions for illegal activities ever since the dark web came into existence. However, they aren't as private as many believe. Here are some OSINT tools to help you find Bitcoin wallets or specific transactions.
Specialized and Deep Web Searches
Many sites are not traditional OSINT resources, aren't mainstream, may be buried, hard to find, or simply not indexed by general search engines. Once you know what you’re searching for, you can explore further by visiting these websites directly.
- Airbnb
- Athlinks
- CourtReference
- dnsLytics
- DomainTools
- EarthCam
- Free Public Records Directory
- Fold3 (military records)
- Global Terrorism Database
- Human Trafficking
- Internet Archive (Wayback Machine)
- National Sex Offender Registry
- PageGlimpse
- Public Records
- Snopes
- State Sex Offender Registry
- Wayback Machine
- What Is My IP Address
- Webboar
- Whoisology
GeoLocation Searches
Geolocation searches can help track a vehicle with an Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS), identify the whereabouts of social media activity, or locate the physical location of an IP address.
- Creepy
- Echosec (social media search by location)
- Google Maps APRS
- IP Address Locator
- IP Location
Tools for Monitoring and Alerts
Staying updated with real-time information can be vital for investigations. Here are some tools that can help you set up alerts and monitor specific keywords or topics:
Data Visualization Tools
Visualizing data can help you identify patterns and connections more easily. Here are some tools that can assist you in creating visual representations of your data:
Cybersecurity Resources
Understanding cybersecurity is essential for protecting your data and ensuring the integrity of your investigations. Here are some resources to help you stay informed about cybersecurity threats and best practices:
- Krebs on Security
- Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
- The Hacker News
- Dark Reading
Training and Certification
Enhance your OSINT skills by pursuing training and certification programs. These programs can provide you with in-depth knowledge and practical experience:
Legal and Ethical Considerations
When conducting OSINT investigations, it's crucial to adhere to legal and ethical guidelines. Make sure your actions always follow local laws and regulations. Always respect people's privacy and never use information for harmful or unethical purposes. Ethical OSINT practices build trust and credibility in your investigations.
Conclusion
Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) is a valuable resource for investigators. By leveraging the resources listed above, you can gather valuable information and conduct thorough investigations. Remember to always adhere to legal and ethical guidelines and continuously improve your skills through training and certification.
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