Learn OSINT: Open-Source Intelligence from Udemy

Master the art of Open Source Intelligence and unlock the secrets hidden across the internet. This course takes you from a beginner to an advanced OSINT practitioner with a straightforward, expert-guided approach.

You’ll learn how to safely and effectively gather intelligence from publicly available sources, utilizing the same techniques used by investigators, cybersecurity professionals, and journalists. This course covers all essential aspects of OSINT, from the ethical considerations of information gathering to advanced search techniques and beyond.

Explore a wide range of tools and techniques for uncovering information about individuals, companies, and even physical locations. You'll master the use of search engines, social media analysis, email tracing, and image verification, all while maintaining your anonymity and protecting your data.

Learn how to set up secure environments using virtual machines, VPNs, and specialized operating systems like CSI Linux. Delve into the world of sock puppets, creating and managing fake identities to gather intelligence undetected. You’ll also explore the dark web, understand the importance of encryption, and discover how to remove your own data from the internet.

By the end of this course, you’ll have a practical, hands-on skill set that will make you proficient in the art of OSINT. Whether you're aiming to enhance your career or satisfy your curiosity, this course is your gateway to mastering the world of online intelligence gathering.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Gather publicly available data to perform investigations
Analyze, and interpret data in investigations
Stay anonymous while browsing the web
Create, and use sock puppets to obtain information
Enhance and optimize the process of using search engines

Search people by their phone numbers, email addresses, names, and usernames
Search businesses and related information
Analyze and trace images
Investigate locations without the need to go there in person
Analyze blockchain transactions

Gather publicly available data to perform investigations
Analyze, and interpret data in investigations
Stay anonymous while browsing the web
Create, and use sock puppets to obtain information
Enhance and optimize the process of using search engines
Search people by their phone numbers, email addresses, names, and usernames
Search businesses and related information
Analyze and trace images
Investigate locations without the need to go there in person
Analyze blockchain transactions

Syllabus

Introduction

Introduction To OSINT

Course Breakdown

Osint Methodology

Safety Measures

Do We Need a VM ?

VM Setup

M1/M2/M3 Macbook Installation

VPNs

Browser Setup

Handling Data In Investigation

Section 2 Notes

Documenting

Advices & Tips On Documenting & Taking Notes

Sock Puppets

What Are They ?

The Approach

Setting Up Sock Puppets

Advanced Techniques & Psyops

Section 4 Notes

Search Engines

Google Search Operators

Bing & DuckDuckGo Search Operators

Yandex & Baidu Search Operators

Section 5 Notes

Searching People

OSINT Tools List

Searching Accounts

Searching People Part 1

Searching People Part 2

Voter Records

Searching Phone Numbers Part 1

Searching Phone Numbers Part 2

Performing Background Checks

Section 6 Notes

Searching Businesses

Searching Companies Part 1

Searching Company Part 2

Section 7 Notes

Resume Hunting

Searching Resumes

Email Search

Enumerating and Verifying Email Addresses

Email Associated Accounts

Leads and Verifying

Password Hunting

Section 9 Notes

Images

Retrieving, Viewing & Handling EXIF Data

Reverse Image Lookup

Facial Recognition

Section 10 Notes

Social Media

Twitter (X)

Discord

Instagram

Facebook

TikTok

Others

Legacy

Legacy Lookup

Section 12 Notes

Physical OSINT

Google Maps

Bing

Section 13 Notes

Extras

Requesting Data Removals

Google Alerts

Deep/Dark Web

Accessing Dark Web With Tor

Crypto OSINT

Section 14 Notes

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Learn OSINT: Open-Source Intelligence with these activities:

Review Networking Fundamentals

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Reviewing networking fundamentals will provide a solid foundation for understanding how data travels across the internet, which is crucial for OSINT investigations.

Browse courses on Network Fundamentals

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Review the OSI model and TCP/IP suite.
Study common network protocols like HTTP, DNS, and SMTP.
Practice identifying network traffic patterns using Wireshark.

Review 'The Web as a Forensic Resource' by Richard Vest

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Reading this book will provide a deeper understanding of how the internet can be used as a resource for forensic investigations, complementing the course material with real-world examples.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Read the chapters on web scraping and data mining.
Practice the techniques described in the book using online resources.
Compare the book's methodologies with those taught in the course.

Review 'Open Source Intelligence Techniques' by Michael Bazzell

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Reading this book will provide a deeper understanding of OSINT methodologies and techniques, complementing the course material with real-world examples.

View OSINT Techniques on Amazon

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Read the chapters on advanced search techniques and social media investigations.
Practice the techniques described in the book using online resources.
Compare the book's methodologies with those taught in the course.

Four other activities

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Practice Google Dorking

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Practicing Google Dorking will enhance your ability to find specific information using search engines, a core skill for OSINT investigations.

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Review the Google Search Operators section of the course.
Create a list of common OSINT targets (e.g., email addresses, usernames, file types).
Craft Google Dorks to find information related to those targets.
Document your findings and refine your search queries.

Create a Sock Puppet Persona

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Creating a sock puppet persona will provide hands-on experience in creating and managing fake online identities, a crucial skill for gathering intelligence undetected.

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Define the purpose and goals of your sock puppet persona.
Create a believable backstory and online presence for the persona.
Set up social media accounts and engage with relevant communities.
Document your activities and track the effectiveness of your persona.

OSINT Investigation Project

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Undertaking an OSINT investigation project will allow you to apply the skills and techniques learned in the course to a real-world scenario, solidifying your understanding and enhancing your practical abilities.

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Choose a topic for your OSINT investigation (e.g., a company, an individual, or an event).
Gather information from publicly available sources using various OSINT techniques.
Analyze and interpret the data to draw conclusions.
Document your findings in a comprehensive report.

Create an OSINT Tool Comparison Chart

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Creating a comparison chart of OSINT tools will help you understand the strengths and weaknesses of different tools and choose the right tool for a specific task.

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Research and identify a variety of OSINT tools.
Categorize the tools based on their functionality (e.g., search engines, social media analysis, image analysis).
Compare the tools based on features, pricing, and ease of use.
Create a chart summarizing your findings.

Career center

Learners who complete Learn OSINT: Open-Source Intelligence will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Private Investigator

Private Investigators gather information and evidence for clients, often in sensitive or confidential matters. This course is great for those beginning their journey to becoming a Private Investigator. The course emphasizes the techniques used by investigators, cybersecurity professionals, and journalists. The course covers all essential aspects of OSINT, from ethical considerations to advanced search techniques. You'll learn how to safely and effectively gather intelligence, analyze images, and investigate locations remotely.

See salaries and explore the career path for Private Investigator

Background Investigator

Background Investigators are hired to conduct thorough checks on individuals for employment, security clearances, or other purposes. This course can be a key stepping stone to becoming a Background Investigator. The course's modules on searching people, analyzing social media, and tracing email addresses provide a comprehensive toolkit for gathering information and verifying the accuracy of provided data. The ability to search phone numbers, perform background checks, and remain anonymous while browsing the web would be a valuable asset for a Background Investigator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Background Investigator

Competitive Intelligence Analyst

A Competitive Intelligence Analyst gathers and analyzes information about competitors to help companies make strategic decisions. This role aligns very well with the skills taught in this course. The course gives the ability to gather intelligence from publicly available sources, perform advanced search techniques, and analyze company data. The course provides hands-on skills that make you proficient in online intelligence gathering, a core competency for a Competitive Intelligence Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Competitive Intelligence Analyst

Intelligence Analyst

The role of an Intelligence Analyst requires a keen ability to gather, analyze, and interpret information from various sources to identify potential threats or opportunities. This course that dives deep into Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) helps build a strong foundation for a career as an Intelligence Analyst. It covers essential aspects such as ethical considerations, advanced search techniques, and the use of tools for uncovering information about individuals, companies, and physical locations. With the skills acquired, you'll be well-equipped to extract, analyze, and synthesize data from publicly available sources.

See salaries and explore the career path for Intelligence Analyst

Due Diligence Analyst

The primary responsibility of a Due Diligence Analyst is to assess risks and verify information before a business transaction or partnership. A Due Diligence Analyst greatly benefits from OSINT skills. The course's coverage of advanced search techniques, searching businesses, and analyzing social media provides a framework for verifying information and detecting potential red flags. The course's focus on OSINT practices that uncover information about companies helps enhance a Due Diligence Analyst's ability to conduct comprehensive risk assessments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Due Diligence Analyst

Cybersecurity Analyst

A Cybersecurity Analyst protects computer systems and networks from threats, which requires staying ahead of potential vulnerabilities. This course provides valuable skills in OSINT that bolster the abilities of a Cybersecurity Analyst. The course covers setting up secure environments using virtual machines, VPNs, and specialized operating systems, which are essential to understanding an attacker's mindset and methods. Moreover, the ability to gather intelligence safely and effectively from publicly available sources, as emphasized in the course, is vital for proactive threat hunting and incident response.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Analyst

Security Consultant

A Security Consultant assesses security risks and develops strategies to protect organizations from threats. This course aids security consultants by demonstrating advanced techniques. The course's emphasis on setting up secure environments and understanding the importance of encryption aligns specifically with the responsibilities of a Security Consultant. You'll learn to maintain anonymity and protect data, which are critical aspects of securing an organization's information assets.

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Fraud Investigator

A Fraud Investigator examines financial records and other data to detect and prevent fraudulent activities. This course could be highly beneficial, as it equips you with the tools and techniques to gather intelligence from publicly available sources. The course covers advanced search techniques, social media analysis, and email tracing, which are critical for uncovering fraudulent schemes and identifying perpetrators. By mastering the art of OSINT, a Fraud Investigator can enhance their ability to conduct thorough and effective investigations.

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Paralegal

Paralegals assist lawyers by conducting legal research, preparing documents, and gathering evidence for cases. Skills taught in this course help a Paralegal. The course's coverage of advanced search techniques, social media analysis, and email tracing allows you to uncover critical information efficiently. The skills to search people by their phone numbers, email addresses, and names, will be a tremendous asset in supporting legal investigations and building a stronger case.

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E-Discovery Specialist

E-Discovery Specialists manage the process of identifying, collecting, and producing electronically stored information (ESI) for legal cases. An E-Discovery Specialist will find this course helpful. The course teaches you how to safely and effectively gather intelligence from publicly available sources, which is essential in the context of e-discovery. By mastering advanced search techniques, email tracing, and social media analysis, you can enhance your ability to locate and preserve relevant digital evidence.

See salaries and explore the career path for E-Discovery Specialist

Journalist

Journalists investigate and report on current events. OSINT skills are useful in this kind of work. This course may be useful, as it covers the essential aspects of OSINT, from ethical considerations to advanced search techniques. You'll explore various tools and techniques for uncovering information about individuals, companies, and locations, which will substantially aid in journalistic investigations. Mastering search engines, social media analysis, and image verification, all while maintaining anonymity, will enhance the depth and accuracy of reporting.

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Research Analyst

Research Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to provide insights and recommendations to organizations. This course may be useful for a Research Analyst. The course teaches gathering publicly available data, analyzing social media, and investigating locations remotely. The course will give hands-on skills that make you proficient in online intelligence gathering, a core competency for a Research Analyst.

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Data Broker

Data Brokers collect and sell information about individuals and companies to various clients. This course can be a first step to becoming a Data Broker. The course teaches how to safely and effectively gather intelligence from publicly available sources, which is a key competency for a Data Broker. The course covers advanced search techniques, social media analysis, and email tracing, which will enhance the ability to collect and manage data ethically and effectively.

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Market Researcher

Market Researchers analyze market trends and consumer behavior to advise companies on product development and marketing strategies. A Market Researcher could gain new skills from this course. The course will teach skills that are helpful in gathering intelligence from publicly available data, which is valuable for understanding market dynamics and competitive landscapes. Skills in advanced search techniques, social media analysis, and identifying emerging trends help you excel as a Market Researcher.

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Compliance Officer

Compliance Officers ensure that a company follows all regulatory and ethical guidelines. This course helps in the work of Compliance Officers. The course teaches you to gather intelligence from publicly available sources, which enhances ability to conduct thorough investigations and verify compliance. The course also provides coverage of advanced search techniques, social media analysis, and email tracing, which makes you well-equipped to detect and address potential compliance issues.

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Learn OSINT

Open-Source Intelligence

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