The Tao of Open Source Intelligence

by Stewart Bertram

What is open source intelligence (OSINT) and what can it do for you?

The Internet has become the defining medium for information exchange in the modern world, and the unprecedented success of new web publishing platforms such as those associated with social media has confirmed its dominance as the main information exchange platform for the foreseeable future.

But how do you conduct an online investigation when so much of the Internet isn’t even indexed by search engines? Accessing and using the information that’s freely available online is about more than just relying on the first page of Google results.

Open source intelligence (OSINT) is intelligence gathered from publically available sources and is the key to unlocking this domain for the purposes of investigation.

Product overview

The Tao of Open Source Intelligence provides a comprehensive guide to OSINT techniques, for the investigator:
•It catalogues and explains the tools and investigative approaches that are required when conducting research within the surface, deep and dark webs.
•It explains how to scrutinise criminal activity without compromising your anonymity – and your investigation.
•It examines the relevance of cyber geography and how to get around its limitations.
•It describes useful add-ons for common search engines, as well as considering metasearch engines (including Dogpile, Zuula, PolyMeta, iSeek, Cluuz and Carrot2) that collate search data from single-source intelligence platforms such as Google.
•It considers deep-web social media platforms and platform-specific search tools, detailing such concepts as concept mapping, entity extraction tools and specialist search syntax (Google kung fu).
•It gives comprehensive guidance on Internet security for the smart investigator, and how to strike a balance between security, ease of use and functionality, giving tips on counterintelligence, safe practices and debunking myths about online privacy.

OSINT is a rapidly evolving approach to intelligence collection, and its wide application makes it a useful methodology for numerous practices, including within the criminal investigation community.

The Tao of Open Source Intelligence is your guide to the cutting edge of this information collection capability.

Genres: Computer Science

151 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 5, 2015

Reviews

[Francois Begin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a security professional but OSINT is typically outside of what I do. This book provided a good and short overview of OSINT, focusing on the fundamentals. The book does not go deeply into the tools of the trade - the author actually has a recommendation for another book on tools in one of his early chapters. Still, some tools are presented along the way to illustrate the concepts being covered.

[Andrew Bulthaupt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this book via Audible.

While parts of this are definitely ten years out of date in terms of social media, web browsers, and technology, the principles described are still interesting. I have no need to put these things to use, but I feel like the concepts are just as helpful if you want to reduce your Internet footprint. It's a quick read, so if you're interested in Internet privacy you should check it out.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction to OSINT practices and considerations. It had a lot of useful examples, but the nature of the topic means those are very transient. It gave a very accessible, coherent perspective on online investigations.