Second Edition Sheds New Light on Open Source Intelligence Collection and Analysis.
Author Michael Bazzell has been well known and respected in government circles for his ability to locate personal information about any target through Open Source Intelligence (OSINT). In this book, he shares his methods in great detail. Each step of his process is explained throughout sixteen chapters of specialized websites, application programming interfaces, and software solutions. Over 200 resources are identified with narrative tutorials and screen captures. This book will serve as a reference guide for anyone that is responsible for the collection of online content. It is written in a hands-on style that encourages the reader to execute the tutorials as they go. The search techniques offered will inspire analysts to "think outside the box" when scouring the internet for personal information.
Much of the content of this book has never been discussed in any publication. Always thinking like a hacker, the author has identified new ways to use various technologies for an unintended purpose. This book will improve anyone's online investigative skills. Among other techniques, you will learn how to
Twitter GPS & Account Data, Hidden Social Network Content, Cell Phone Owner Information, Hidden Photo GPS & Metadata, Deleted Websites & Posts, Website Owner Information, Alias Social Network Profiles, Additional User Accounts, Sensitive Documents & Photos, Live Streaming Social Content, Videos Uploaded by Location, Newspaper Archives & Scans, Social Content by Location, Text Transcripts of Videos, Historical Satellite Imagery, Duplicate Copies of Photos, Local Personal Radio Frequencies, Compromised Email Information, Wireless Routers by Location, Hidden Mapping Applications, Free Investigative Software, Alternative Search Engines, Stolen Items for Sale, Unlisted Addresses, Unlisted Phone Numbers, Public Government Records, Document Metadata, Voter Registration Records, Facebook Wall Posts, Online Criminal Activity
This is a chunky and somewhat technical read. I had used some of the author's tools before and occasionally listen to his privacy podcast, so some of content was already familiar to me. This is a great reference to those doing OSINT or interested in it, but it really needs to be made available in ebook format, especially given how quickly some of the content can change as services evolve, APIs depreciate, etc.
A unique and fascinating summary of various techniques to gather digital information. I am not a practitioner in the field, but have been a software and hardware nerd for many years, and there were things mentioned in this book that I had never heard of. The writing style is a bit dry, and even stilted, but one reads this sort of book for the information, and there is quite a lot of that. Lots of fascinating information for would-be detectives, or people looking to enter the field.
Open Source Intelligence Techniques: Resources for Searching and Analyzing Online Information 7th Edition by Michael Bazzell shows the reader how to take control of open source tools to investigate online activities. Mr. Bazzell is on online investigator for computer crimes, who worked for the federal government in one capacity or another.
This is the latest book which teaches you how to dig into the internet for information on anyone you might want to investigate. Ethically, of course, you should only be doing so for bad actors, but it can be used for anyone.
Open Source Intelligence Techniques: Resources for Searching and Analyzing Online Information 7th Edition by Michael Bazzell shows the user techniques and search tools to do this type of work. The author has online instructions on how to setup a virtual machine using Linux to run many of the tools in your own environment without relying on external websites for your research. The book also talks about ethics, policy, documentation, and methodology – issues which might not be as impressive as catching or following bad actors, but are very important in courts and, of course, to management.
The author talks about how to look for information, positive or negative, as well as searching how you present yourself to the online digital world. For people who are privacy conscious, sadly becoming a minority, you can check out where you stand an hopefully minimize your own vulnerability on the issue.
Many Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) tools are introduced which are free to download and use. The book shows the reader how to make modifications to the tools, and how to search properly on many social media websites. The amount of information freely available is disturbing at times, but I’d rather know than be surprised later on.
I consider myself savvy on the online world, or at the very least someone who pays attention, but this book left me in awe and overwhelmed at the ease I could gather data. Mr. Bazzell is a talented author, he keeps it simple but does not talk down to the readers.
Excellent resource. Make sure to check his blog and podcast for updates and amendments to the book as changes are occurring weekly. However, this book will provide an excellent base for OSINT work including configuration of equipment, selection of approaches, handling of evidence, and more. This is the literal Bible for those who are serious.
It is technical at times and a knowledge if Linux and Python will help maximize the use of Bezells book, however, even if you don't know Linux\Python there is enough information in this tome to be useful in many ways.
Michael Bazzell's story is incredible. I do reccomend you look in to his background before purchasing this book. He is widely respected in OSINT and this book is THE most comprehensive and OSINT book.
If you want to start your journey in OSINT and understanding just how much you can achieve with open intelligence, then this is where you start.
Put in the work, information is currency. Most of the "factual" information here is already outdated, and the author does a great job of setting expectations. Like any worthwhile cybersecurity or technology books, this is not gospel but merely a glimpse into what's out there.
Very detailed and walks you front to end on how to do Open Source Intelligence well and safely. It is, however, more geared towards people supporting law enforcement, as opposed to open-source cyber threat intelligence. That said, there is a lot of overlap between the two.
This book, now in it's eighth edition, is more a catalogue of basic tools and services that can be used for data gathering/analysis on the internet. It is barely useful, but gives some ideas as for what programs to use if you are in a bit of pinch, and need something done.
Obviously a more technical manual, that mostly focuses on law enforcement investigations. Large amount of book dedicated to setting up PC for LE purposes (use of evidence in court etc). However some very good practical guidance for the average practitioner as well.
Excellent book with more valuable resources than anything else I've read on the subject. Highly recommended to any with even a passing interested in OSInt.
This book has a massive coverage of osint and is probably the definitive work on this subject. The only downside from my point of view is that it is fairly USA centric.