Reconnaissance with Spiderfoot from Pluralsight

Spiderfoot is an automation platform for open source intelligence and can be used to plan red team operations. In this course, you will learn reconnaissance using Spiderfoot.

When planning future operations, a red team needs information about the target organization. Specifically, the organization’s digital footprint and attack surface consisting of email addresses, employees, social media accounts, cloud-based tools, connected devices, public information, and other exposures can be leveraged to plan and execute other phases of the adversary life cycle. In this course, Reconnaissance with Spiderfoot, you'll learn how to utilize Spiderfoot to execute reconnaissance in a red team environment. First, you’ll see how to select relevant and unique identifiers for the target organization. Next, you’ll apply use Spiderfoot’s extensive set of modules to gather data about the target. Finally, you’ll learn how to simulate gathering and analyzing specific information for a potential attack target. When you’re finished with this course, you’ll have the skills and knowledge to execute MITRE ATT&CK techniques, such as T1589 Gather Victim Identity Information, T1593 Search Open Websites/Domains, and T1596 Search Open Technical Databases using Spiderfoot. More importantly, knowing how these techniques can be used against you, will ultimately lend to your ability as an organization, or an individual, to detect and defend against specific attack vectors.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview

Using Spiderfoot for Reconnaissance

Resources

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches methods for enhancing operational effectiveness by gaining critical data

Covers a broad range of modules to collect ample information on target

Enhances defense strategies by uncovering potential attack vectors

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 Reconnaissance with Spiderfoot with these activities:

Spiderfoot Module Review

Show steps

Familiarize yourself with Spiderfoot's extensive set of modules and their applications.

Show steps

Review the Spiderfoot documentation on available modules.
Experiment with different modules using sample inputs.
Create a cheat sheet or mind map summarizing the capabilities and limitations of each module.

Open Source Intelligence Techniques Review

Show steps

Refresh and strengthen your foundational knowledge of open source intelligence techniques.

Browse courses on Open Source Intelligence

Show steps

Review materials from previous courses or industry publications on open source intelligence.
Read articles and blog posts about current trends and best practices in open source intelligence.
Practice using open source intelligence tools and resources.

Organize Course Materials

Show steps

Consolidate and review materials from the course, including notes, assignments, and quizzes, to enhance your understanding and retention.

Browse courses on Note-Taking

Show steps

Gather and organize all course materials in a central location.
Create summaries or flashcards for key concepts.
Review and revise materials regularly.

Nine other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all 12 activities

Review Basic Networking Concepts

Show steps

Review the basics of networking, including IP addresses, network protocols, and network topologies, to strengthen your foundation for reconnaissance techniques.

Browse courses on Network Concepts

Show steps

Read through online tutorials or articles on basic networking concepts.
Take practice quizzes or tests to assess your understanding.

Spiderfoot Tutorial Walkthrough

Show steps

Gain a deeper understanding of Spiderfoot's capabilities and how to effectively use it for reconnaissance.

Show steps

Follow a comprehensive Spiderfoot tutorial.
Install and configure Spiderfoot on your computer.
Practice using Spiderfoot's modules to gather information about a sample target.

Follow Spiderfoot Tutorials

Show steps

Complete guided tutorials on using Spiderfoot's features and modules to enhance your reconnaissance skills.

Show steps

Access the official Spiderfoot documentation or online tutorials.
Follow step-by-step instructions to execute reconnaissance tasks.
Experiment with different modules and options to broaden your knowledge.

Spiderfoot Simulation Drills

Show steps

Apply Spiderfoot modules to gather data about a potential target for a red team operation.

Show steps

Select a target organization and identify relevant identifiers.
Use Spiderfoot to gather data about the target organization.
Analyze the gathered data to identify potential attack vectors.
Develop a red team plan based on the reconnaissance findings.

Guide New Users in Spiderfoot

Show steps

Share your knowledge by providing guidance and assistance to other students or beginners using Spiderfoot, fostering a supportive learning community.

Browse courses on Mentoring

Show steps

Join online forums or communities dedicated to Spiderfoot.
Answer questions and provide support to new users.

Develop a Reconnaissance Plan

Show steps

Design a comprehensive reconnaissance plan for a hypothetical target, considering target selection, data collection strategies, and risk mitigation measures.

Browse courses on Red Team Operations

Show steps

Define the target and objectives of the reconnaissance mission.
Identify potential sources of information and develop a data collection strategy.
Assess potential risks and develop mitigation measures.

Spiderfoot Reconnaissance Report

Show steps

Demonstrate your understanding of Spiderfoot and its applications in a real-world scenario.

Show steps

Select a target organization for reconnaissance.
Use Spiderfoot to gather data about the target organization.
Analyze the gathered data and identify potential attack vectors.
Create a comprehensive reconnaissance report documenting your findings and recommendations.

Present Reconnaissance Findings

Show steps

Create a detailed report or presentation summarizing the findings of your reconnaissance activities, highlighting potential vulnerabilities and recommending mitigation strategies.

Browse courses on Red Team Operations

Show steps

Organize and analyze the collected data.
Identify key observations and insights.
Develop recommendations based on the findings.

Read 'Advanced Penetration Testing' by Wil Allsopp

Show steps

Expand your knowledge of reconnaissance techniques and strategies used in advanced penetration testing by delving into this comprehensive book.

View Advanced Penetration Testing: Hacking the... on Amazon

Show steps

Read through the chapters on reconnaissance and intelligence gathering.
Take notes and highlight key concepts.

Career center

Learners who complete Reconnaissance with Spiderfoot will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Penetration Tester

A Penetration Tester is responsible for simulating attacks on an organization's network and systems to identify vulnerabilities. This course can help Penetration Testers by providing them with the skills and knowledge to execute reconnaissance in a red team environment. The course covers how to select relevant and unique identifiers for the target organization, how to apply Spiderfoot’s extensive set of modules to gather data about the target, and how to simulate gathering and analyzing specific information for a potential attack target. This course may also help build a foundation for those who wish to pursue a career in information security.

See salaries and explore the career path for Penetration Tester

Information Security Analyst

An Information Security Analyst is responsible for protecting an organization's information systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This course can help Information Security Analysts by providing them with the skills and knowledge to execute reconnaissance in a red team environment. The course covers how to select relevant and unique identifiers for the target organization, how to apply Spiderfoot’s extensive set of modules to gather data about the target, and how to simulate gathering and analyzing specific information for a potential attack target. This course may also help build a foundation for those who wish to pursue a career in information security.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Red Team Analyst

A Red Team Analyst is responsible for simulating attacks on an organization's network and systems to identify vulnerabilities. This course can help Red Team Analysts by providing them with the skills and knowledge to execute reconnaissance in a red team environment. The course covers how to select relevant and unique identifiers for the target organization, how to apply Spiderfoot’s extensive set of modules to gather data about the target, and how to simulate gathering and analyzing specific information for a potential attack target. This course may also help build a foundation for those who wish to pursue a career in information security.

See salaries and explore the career path for Red Team Analyst

Security Engineer

A Security Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining an organization's security infrastructure. This course can help Security Engineers by providing them with the skills and knowledge to execute reconnaissance in a red team environment. The course covers how to select relevant and unique identifiers for the target organization, how to apply Spiderfoot’s extensive set of modules to gather data about the target, and how to simulate gathering and analyzing specific information for a potential attack target. This course may also help build a foundation for those who wish to pursue a career in information security.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Engineer

Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst

A Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating information about cyber threats. This course can help Cyber Threat Intelligence Analysts by providing them with the skills and knowledge to execute reconnaissance in a red team environment. The course covers how to select relevant and unique identifiers for the target organization, how to apply Spiderfoot’s extensive set of modules to gather data about the target, and how to simulate gathering and analyzing specific information for a potential attack target.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst

Vulnerability Manager

A Vulnerability Manager is responsible for identifying, assessing, and mitigating vulnerabilities in an organization's systems. This course can help Vulnerability Managers by providing them with the skills and knowledge to execute reconnaissance in a red team environment. The course covers how to select relevant and unique identifiers for the target organization, how to apply Spiderfoot’s extensive set of modules to gather data about the target, and how to simulate gathering and analyzing specific information for a potential attack target.

See salaries and explore the career path for Vulnerability Manager

Incident Responder

An Incident Responder is responsible for responding to and mitigating security incidents. This course can help Incident Responders by providing them with the skills and knowledge to execute reconnaissance in a red team environment. The course covers how to select relevant and unique identifiers for the target organization, how to apply Spiderfoot’s extensive set of modules to gather data about the target, and how to simulate gathering and analyzing specific information for a potential attack target.

See salaries and explore the career path for Incident Responder

Digital Forensic Investigator

A Digital Forensic Investigator is responsible for investigating and analyzing digital evidence. This course can help Digital Forensic Investigators by providing them with the skills and knowledge to execute reconnaissance in a red team environment. The course covers how to select relevant and unique identifiers for the target organization, how to apply Spiderfoot’s extensive set of modules to gather data about the target, and how to simulate gathering and analyzing specific information for a potential attack target.

See salaries and explore the career path for Digital Forensic Investigator

Risk Analyst

A Risk Analyst is responsible for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks to an organization's information systems. This course can help Risk Analysts by providing them with the skills and knowledge to execute reconnaissance in a red team environment. The course covers how to select relevant and unique identifiers for the target organization, how to apply Spiderfoot’s extensive set of modules to gather data about the target, and how to simulate gathering and analyzing specific information for a potential attack target.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Analyst

Compliance Analyst

A Compliance Analyst is responsible for ensuring that an organization's information systems are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. This course can help Compliance Analysts by providing them with the skills and knowledge to execute reconnaissance in a red team environment. The course covers how to select relevant and unique identifiers for the target organization, how to apply Spiderfoot’s extensive set of modules to gather data about the target, and how to simulate gathering and analyzing specific information for a potential attack target.

See salaries and explore the career path for Compliance Analyst

Cybersecurity Analyst

A Cybersecurity Analyst is responsible for monitoring and analyzing an organization's security systems and data for potential threats. This course can help Cybersecurity Analysts by providing them with the skills and knowledge to execute reconnaissance in a red team environment. The course covers how to select relevant and unique identifiers for the target organization, how to apply Spiderfoot’s extensive set of modules to gather data about the target, and how to simulate gathering and analyzing specific information for a potential attack target.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Analyst

Security Consultant

A Security Consultant is responsible for providing security advice and guidance to organizations. This course can help Security Consultants by providing them with the skills and knowledge to execute reconnaissance in a red team environment. The course covers how to select relevant and unique identifiers for the target organization, how to apply Spiderfoot’s extensive set of modules to gather data about the target, and how to simulate gathering and analyzing specific information for a potential attack target.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Consultant

Network Security Engineer

A Network Security Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining an organization's network security infrastructure. This course can help Network Security Engineers by providing them with the skills and knowledge to execute reconnaissance in a red team environment. The course covers how to select relevant and unique identifiers for the target organization, how to apply Spiderfoot’s extensive set of modules to gather data about the target, and how to simulate gathering and analyzing specific information for a potential attack target.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Security Engineer

Cloud Security Architect

A Cloud Security Architect is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining an organization's cloud security strategy. This course can help Cloud Security Architects by providing them with the skills and knowledge to execute reconnaissance in a red team environment. The course covers how to select relevant and unique identifiers for the target organization, how to apply Spiderfoot’s extensive set of modules to gather data about the target, and how to simulate gathering and analyzing specific information for a potential attack target.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Security Architect

Software Engineer

A Software Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining software applications. This course may help build a foundation for those who wish to pursue a career in software engineering by providing them with the skills and knowledge to execute reconnaissance in a red team environment. The course covers how to select relevant and unique identifiers for the target organization, how to apply Spiderfoot’s extensive set of modules to gather data about the target, and how to simulate gathering and analyzing specific information for a potential attack target.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer