List of the 100 OSINT topics with subtopics:
Categories:
18 minute read
Here’s an expanded list of the 100 OSINT topics with subtopics:
- Social Media Analysis (e.g., Twitter, Facebook)
- Geolocation Tracking from Images
- Metadata Extraction from Files
Extracting metadata from documents (PDF, Word, etc.)
- OSINT Tools for Social Media Monitoring
Open-source tools for Twitter scraping (e.g., Twint)
- Web Scraping Techniques for OSINT
Using browser-based tools (e.g., Scrapy, Selenium)
- OSINT in Law Enforcement
- Analyzing Publicly Available Databases
Public voting records and political affiliation
Census data and demographic analysis
Corporate registries and ownership information
Open crime data and incident mapping
FOIA requests for data access
- Corporate Espionage using OSINT
- Tracking Cryptocurrency Transactions
Blockchain explorers for Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.
Identifying wallet ownership patterns
Following the flow of illicit transactions
Monitoring exchange platforms for suspicious activity
Using public blockchain data for forensic analysis
- Dark Web OSINT Investigations
Dark web marketplaces and hidden services
Monitoring darknet forums for threats
Anonymity and Encryption Techniques in OSINT
Tools for browsing and analyzing the dark web
Legal challenges of dark web investigations
- Fake News and Misinformation Detection
Identifying bots and fake accounts spreading disinformation
Analyzing media sources for credibility
Reverse image search to verify image authenticity
Using fact-checking platforms to cross-reference claims
Machine learning tools for detecting false information
- OSINT for Cybersecurity Threat Hunting
Identifying exposed assets and credentials
Monitoring underground forums for data breaches
Gathering intelligence on potential attackers
Tracking phishing campaigns through social engineering
Mapping an organization’s digital footprint for vulnerabilities
- Tracking Shipping and Marine Traffic
Using AIS data to monitor ship movements
Open-source tools for maritime tracking
Satellite imagery for vessel identification
Analyzing shipping route data for trends
Cross-referencing with customs and trade data
- OSINT for Tracking Air Traffic (ADS-B)
Using ADS-B data to track commercial flights
Identifying private and military aircraft
Open-source flight tracking platforms (e.g., Flightradar24)
Analyzing flight paths and altitudes
Cross-referencing aviation incident reports
- OSINT and Open Data for Journalism
Using open-source tools for investigative reporting
Cross-referencing public records with media reports
Geospatial data in investigative journalism
Finding whistleblowers through digital footprints
Ethical considerations in OSINT for journalism
- Identifying Fake Social Media Accounts
Analyzing account creation dates and activity levels
Detecting patterns in follower networks
Reverse-engineering social media APIs for verification
Identifying common bot behaviors
Cross-referencing with known fake account lists
- Publicly Available Satellite Imagery Analysis
Free satellite imagery platforms (e.g., Google Earth)
Tools for analyzing satellite data
Using satellite images for environmental monitoring
Cross-referencing satellite data with historical events
Identifying changes in topography over time
- Searching Hidden or Archived Web Pages
Using the Wayback Machine for archived websites
Searching for deleted social media posts
Cross-referencing archived web pages with current data
Tools for identifying dead links and finding alternatives
Scraping and storing data from expired pages
- OSINT and Personal Data Privacy
How OSINT is used to identify personal information
Techniques for reducing personal digital footprints
Scrubbing metadata to protect privacy
Protecting against data breaches through OSINT awareness
Tracking your digital footprint using OSINT
- Reverse Image Search Techniques
Using tools like TinEye and Google Image Search
Identifying altered or photoshopped images
Tracking image reuse across the Internet
Cross-referencing image metadata for additional context
Using reverse image search to locate individuals
- Finding Vulnerable IoT Devices
Shodan search for publicly exposed devices
Identifying default credentials in IoT devices
Vulnerability scanning for common IoT exploits
Cross-referencing IoT devices with known vulnerabilities
IoT security best practices for OSINT analysts
- Social Engineering using OSINT
Gathering personal data for phishing attacks
Crafting convincing pretexts based on OSINT
Investigating corporate structure for social engineering targets
Techniques for impersonating trustworthy sources
Preventing social engineering attacks through OSINT awareness
- Political Campaign Monitoring using OSINT
Tracking social media campaigns and political ads
Monitoring campaign donations and funding sources
Identifying political influencers and their networks
Analyzing sentiment around political candidates
Cross-referencing campaign claims with public data
- OSINT in Military and Intelligence Agencies
Using OSINT for battlefield intelligence gathering
Monitoring enemy movements through open data sources
Cross-referencing satellite images for military analysis
Social media as a tool for intelligence operations
OSINT tools used in modern warfare
- Investigating Online Fraud
Identifying fake e-commerce websites
Tracking fraudulent financial transactions
Cross-referencing fraudster details with public records
Analyzing scam email patterns
Using OSINT for fraud prevention in financial institutions
- Searching for Domain Information (WHOIS, DNS)
WHOIS lookups for domain registration details
Tracking domain name ownership history
Cross-referencing DNS records for server locations
Tools for monitoring domain changes over time
Investigating domain parking and typosquatting
- Finding Leaked Credentials Online
Monitoring forums and websites for breached data
Cross-referencing credential leaks with password managers
Tools for automated breach detection (e.g., HaveIBeenPwned)
Protecting personal accounts from credential leaks
Investigating credential stuffing attacks
- OSINT for Investigating Financial Crime
Tracking offshore bank accounts and shell companies
Monitoring cryptocurrency transactions for fraud
Investigating Ponzi schemes and investment fraud
Cross-referencing financial filings for irregularities
Analyzing public stock records for insider trading
- OSINT and Humanitarian Aid
Using OSINT for disaster response coordination
Monitoring social media for calls for help
Open-source mapping tools for aid logistics
Identifying high-risk areas through public data
Cross-referencing satellite imagery for humanitarian efforts
- Government Databases for OSINT
Accessing public financial records and contracts
Scraping government websites for legal filings
Cross-referencing voter registration databases
Monitoring public procurement data for fraud
Government transparency portals for OSINT
- Tracking Bitcoin Wallet Activity
Identifying suspicious wallet activities
Using blockchain explorers for Bitcoin transactions
Cross-referencing wallet addresses with known criminals
Tools for tracking cryptocurrency flows (e.g., Chainalysis)
Analyzing wallet clusters for money laundering
- Analyzing Code Repositories (e.g., GitHub) for Vulnerabilities
Scraping public GitHub repositories for sensitive data
Identifying exposed API keys or credentials in code
Monitoring repository changes for security vulnerabilities
Investigating developers’ public profiles for associations
Tracking open-source projects for security risks
- Monitoring Real-time Events using OSINT
Real-time social media monitoring (e.g., breaking news)
Tracking protests and movements through live data
Analyzing public live feeds (e.g., traffic cameras)
Cross-referencing event data with geolocation services
Using AI to detect real-time events from multiple sources
- Investigating Online Harassment
Identifying harassers on social media platforms
Monitoring abusive content across forums
Investigating cyberbullying cases through digital footprints
Cross-referencing multiple accounts linked to harassment
Protecting victims’ privacy while gathering OSINT evidence
- Open Source Surveillance with OSINT
Gathering surveillance data from publicly available webcams
Monitoring traffic cameras for movement patterns
Using drones for open-source surveillance
Cross-referencing surveillance data with social media activity
Analyzing CCTV footage with AI for pattern recognition
- Data Mining Techniques for OSINT
Web scraping for large-scale data collection
Text mining for trends and sentiment analysis
Social network analysis using graph theory
Using APIs for structured data extraction
Automating data mining with machine learning algorithms
- OSINT and Counterterrorism
Monitoring radicalization trends on social media
Tracking online forums for extremist activity
Identifying funding sources for terrorist groups
Analyzing open-source intelligence in conflict zones
Cross-referencing terrorist group connections with public data
- Online Disinformation Campaigns
Detecting organized disinformation efforts
Identifying patterns of disinformation spread on social media
Tools for tracking state-sponsored misinformation
Cross-referencing media articles with independent sources
Analyzing bot networks for disinformation campaigns
- Tracking Phone Numbers (OSINT for Telecom)
Investigating phone numbers with public lookup services
Cross-referencing phone numbers with social media profiles
Identifying location and service providers from phone numbers
Investigating spoofed or VoIP numbers
Tracking SMS phishing (smishing) campaigns using OSINT
- Analyzing Public Comments on News Websites
Scraping comments for sentiment analysis
Identifying organized efforts to manipulate public opinion
Tracking comment patterns across multiple news platforms
Cross-referencing commenters’ digital footprints
Monitoring comment bots and automated responses
- Publicly Available Court Records and Legal Data
Accessing public legal filings (e.g., PACER)
Analyzing historical court rulings for legal trends
Cross-referencing legal records with news reports
Monitoring ongoing legal cases using OSINT tools
Investigating company lawsuits for financial risk analysis
- OSINT in Risk Assessment for Corporations
Monitoring supply chains for potential disruptions
Analyzing market trends and competitor data
Cross-referencing employee activities with public records
Identifying geopolitical risks using OSINT
Using OSINT for brand reputation management
- Monitoring Financial Markets using OSINT
Tracking stock prices and trading patterns
Using public SEC filings for financial analysis
Identifying insider trading activities
Analyzing financial news for market trends
Monitoring mergers and acquisitions through public data
- OSINT and Activism Movements
Monitoring social media for activist group organizations
Identifying key influencers in activism networks
Tracking fundraising efforts for activist causes
Investigating the impact of activism on public policy
Analyzing online movements for disinformation or infiltration
- Analyzing Cryptocurrency Blockchains
Tools for analyzing Bitcoin, Ethereum, and altcoin transactions
Identifying illicit cryptocurrency activities
Investigating decentralized exchanges using OSINT
Cross-referencing wallets with known criminal organizations
Analyzing smart contracts on public blockchains
- Web Application Vulnerability Identification
Investigating websites for publicly exposed vulnerabilities
Identifying unpatched security flaws in web applications
Tools for scanning websites (e.g., OWASP ZAP, Burp Suite)
Cross-referencing vulnerabilities with threat intelligence
Monitoring websites for signs of breaches or defacement
- OSINT for Insider Threat Detection
Monitoring employee social media for signs of discontent
Cross-referencing public leaks with internal employee data
Investigating the financial activities of employees for fraud
Tracking digital footprints within the corporate network
Analyzing insider threats using behavioral OSINT data
- OSINT in International Diplomacy
Monitoring international political developments via OSINT
Tracking state-sponsored media for diplomatic messaging
Cross-referencing public statements with government actions
Investigating diplomatic cables and leaks
Monitoring geopolitical trends using open-source tools
- Tracking Travel Itineraries and Passenger Data
Investigating flight data for passenger tracking
Cross-referencing social media with known travel itineraries
Monitoring travel booking platforms for open data leaks
Analyzing hotel reviews for intelligence gathering
Using flight number tracking for real-time travel monitoring
- Analysis of Public APIs for OSINT
Using public APIs to extract structured data
Investigating API vulnerabilities for data leakage
Monitoring public API endpoints for sensitive data
Scraping public datasets from API sources (e.g., weather, finance)
Automating OSINT tasks with API integrations
- OSINT in Protecting Critical Infrastructure
Monitoring SCADA and ICS systems for vulnerabilities
Investigating threats to public utilities (e.g., water, energy)
Cross-referencing public data on infrastructure locations
Using satellite imagery for infrastructure monitoring
Tracking cybersecurity incidents in critical infrastructure sectors
- Publicly Available Transportation and Traffic Data
Scraping real-time traffic data from public platforms
Analyzing public transportation usage patterns
Cross-referencing traffic incidents with public safety data
Using traffic cameras for monitoring movement patterns
Investigating transportation infrastructure through open data
- OSINT and AI for Pattern Recognition
Machine learning tools for identifying OSINT patterns
AI-based tools for social media monitoring
Predictive analytics in OSINT investigations
Training AI models with open-source data
Using AI to detect anomalies in large datasets
- Facial Recognition Tools for OSINT
Publicly available facial recognition software (e.g., Clearview AI)
Investigating the ethics of facial recognition in OSINT
Cross-referencing social media profiles with facial recognition
Using facial recognition for missing person cases
Tracking criminals using open-source facial recognition tools
- Monitoring Climate Change Data using OSINT
Publicly available climate databases for analysis
Cross-referencing satellite imagery for environmental change
Scraping weather data from public APIs
Monitoring scientific reports and open data on climate change
Using geospatial tools for environmental risk assessments
- OSINT in Human Trafficking Investigations
Scraping online forums and classifieds for trafficking activity
Using geolocation data to track trafficking routes
Cross-referencing social media with missing person databases
Monitoring dark web sites for trafficking information
Investigating financial transactions linked to trafficking
- Use of AI and Machine Learning in OSINT
Training machine learning models with open data
Predictive analytics for threat detection
AI tools for automating OSINT data analysis
Using machine learning to detect patterns in social media
Cross-referencing AI-driven OSINT with human analysis
- OSINT for Digital Footprint Reduction
Techniques for Minimizing Your Personal Online Presence
Removing personal information from public databases
Scrubbing metadata from images and documents
Monitoring your digital footprint with OSINT tools
Preventing identity theft by reducing digital exposure
- OSINT in Academic Research
Using public data sources for academic studies
Investigating public datasets for research papers
Cross-referencing academic publications with public data
Identifying trends in academic citations
Using OSINT tools for large-scale research data collection
- Monitoring Hacktivist Movements
Tracking hacktivist group activity on social media
Monitoring forums for planned attacks
Investigating hacktivist group structure and leadership
Cross-referencing hacktivist activity with public breaches
Analyzing trends in hacktivist targeting
- Investigating Political Donations and Funding
Scraping public campaign finance records
Cross-referencing donations with corporate interests
Monitoring political lobbying activities
Investigating foreign influence on political donations
Using OSINT to expose dark money in politics
- Tracking Fake Reviews and Comments Online
Detecting fake reviews on e-commerce platforms
Cross-referencing user profiles with review history
Tools for scraping and analyzing review data
Investigating fake comments on news and social media
Identifying paid review schemes through digital footprints
- Monitoring Public Health Data for OSINT
Scraping publicly available epidemiological data
Cross-referencing health trends with public news reports
Monitoring social media for disease outbreaks
Analyzing public health databases for demographic risks
Investigating pharmaceutical trials using open data
- Tracking Wildlife Trafficking through OSINT
Monitoring online platforms for illegal wildlife trade
Cross-referencing wildlife product sales with public reports
Investigating transportation routes for wildlife smuggling
Using satellite imagery for identifying trafficking hotspots
Collaborating with NGOs using OSINT tools for wildlife protection
- Investigating Fake News Websites
Scraping and analyzing content from known fake news sites
Cross-referencing fake news with legitimate media sources
Investigating domain registration details of fake news outlets
Identifying patterns in fake news distribution networks
Tools for automatically detecting fake news articles
- OSINT for Tracking Criminal Networks
Mapping criminal networks using public data
Scraping forums and social media for criminal activity
Cross-referencing criminal group members with public records
Using geolocation tools for tracking criminal operations
Monitoring law enforcement reports for criminal patterns
- Investigating Stolen Art and Cultural Property
Scraping databases of stolen art (e.g., Interpol Art Theft Database)
Cross-referencing art sales with known stolen property
Monitoring online auctions for stolen items
Investigating the provenance of suspicious art sales
Collaborating with art historians using OSINT tools
- Tracking Organized Crime through Public Data
Investigating mafia or cartel operations using public records
Scraping financial records for signs of money laundering
Cross-referencing criminal leaders with known public activities
Using geospatial data to monitor organized crime territories
Monitoring court records for organized crime cases
- OSINT for Investigating Financial Scams
Scraping websites for scam-related keywords
Cross-referencing financial scams with public databases
Monitoring scam warning forums and blogs
Investigating fraudulent companies through corporate records
Analyzing email patterns for phishing and fraud campaigns
- Tracking International Sanctions and Compliance
Investigating companies or individuals on sanctions lists
Monitoring international trade data for compliance breaches
Scraping public financial records for sanctions violations
Cross-referencing sanctioned entities with corporate filings
Analyzing global supply chains for sanctions circumvention
- Monitoring Terrorist Financing through OSINT
Investigating public cryptocurrency transactions for terrorism funding
Scraping financial records for suspicious transactions
Monitoring extremist forums for fundraising activities
Cross-referencing public records with known terrorist organizations
Identifying Money Laundering Operations linked to terrorism
- Scraping Job Boards and Recruitment Websites
Scraping job boards for hiring trends
Monitoring recruitment activity in specific industries
Cross-referencing job listings with corporate data
Investigating fraudulent job postings for phishing schemes
Analyzing recruitment patterns for corporate espionage
- Using Public Patent Databases for OSINT
Scraping patent filings for technological innovations
Cross-referencing patents with company filings
Monitoring patent disputes in legal records
Investigating the ownership history of patents
Identifying trends in patent applications by industry
- Tracking Public Procurement Contracts
Scraping government procurement websites for contract details
Monitoring public tenders for corporate bidding patterns
Cross-referencing procurement contracts with financial records
Investigating Contract Fraud Through Public Data
Using OSINT tools to analyze procurement trends
- Tracking Shipping Containers and Cargo
Monitoring public shipping manifests for suspicious activity
Cross-referencing shipping data with known smuggling routes
Investigating cargo theft through public transport data
Using geospatial tools for container tracking
Scraping customs data for illegal shipment detection
- Monitoring OSINT for Environmental Protection
Tracking illegal logging activities through public reports
Scraping environmental impact assessments for trends
Cross-referencing satellite data with environmental destruction
Investigating corporations for environmental violations
Monitoring public environmental protest movements
- Scraping Airline Data for OSINT
Scraping flight data for passenger tracking
Monitoring aircraft movements for suspicious activities
Cross-referencing flight paths with known travel routes
Investigating private jet movements for financial crimes
Scraping public flight schedules for trend analysis
- OSINT in Tracking Drug Trafficking
Monitoring social media for drug-related activities
Scraping dark web markets for drug sales
Cross-referencing drug arrests with public records
Using geolocation data to track trafficking routes
Investigating financial transactions linked to drug trafficking
- Tracking Political Influence Operations
Monitoring social media for political manipulation efforts
Investigating state-sponsored media campaigns
Scraping public records for lobbying activities
Cross-referencing political donations with corporate interests
Analyzing patterns of political influence through public data
- Scraping Real Estate Websites for OSINT
Scraping property listings for ownership details
Cross-referencing real estate sales with financial records
Monitoring property sales for money laundering
Investigating rental scams using public listings
Analyzing trends in real estate investment using open data
- OSINT for Monitoring Protests and Demonstrations
Scraping social media for protest organization
Monitoring real-time protest activity through open data
Cross-referencing protest leaders with public records
Analyzing protest movements for disinformation or violence
Investigating government response to protests using OSINT
- Tracking Financial Markets with OSINT
Monitoring public stock trading patterns
Scraping financial news for market trends
Cross-referencing stock movements with company filings
Investigating insider trading through open data
Analyzing market volatility with public financial data
- Using Publicly Available APIs for OSINT
Scraping public APIs for structured data
Monitoring public datasets using API access
Investigating API vulnerabilities for data exposure
Automating OSINT tasks with API integrations
Cross-referencing public APIs with other OSINT sources
- Tracking Online Hate Speech and Extremism
Scraping social media for hate speech keywords
Monitoring extremist forums for organizing activities
Cross-referencing hate groups with public data
Using AI to detect hate speech patterns online
Investigating online harassment campaigns through OSINT
- Investigating Online Reviews and Consumer Feedback
Scraping e-commerce websites for product reviews
Detecting fake or biased reviews on consumer platforms
Cross-referencing user profiles with review activity
Investigating review fraud schemes using public data
Analyzing sentiment trends in product reviews using OSINT
- Tracking Arms Trafficking through OSINT
Monitoring online platforms for illegal arms sales
Scraping arms trade databases for suspicious transactions
Investigating arms trafficking routes through public data
Cross-referencing arms sales with international sanctions
Analyzing arms smuggling patterns using OSINT tools
- OSINT for Identifying Fraudulent Websites
Scraping public websites for phishing schemes
Investigating website domain registration details
Cross-referencing fraudulent sites with public warnings
Monitoring social media for reports of online scams
Analyzing fraudulent website patterns using OSINT
- Monitoring Online Marketplaces for Illegal Goods
Scraping dark web marketplaces for illicit products
Cross-referencing product listings with known illegal goods
Investigating online marketplaces for counterfeit items
Monitoring online platforms for money laundering through goods
Using OSINT tools to track sellers of illegal products
- Tracking Global Trade Data for OSINT
Scraping customs records for international trade trends
Investigating public trade reports for economic analysis
Cross-referencing trade data with shipping information
Monitoring global supply chains for trade disruptions
Analyzing trade agreements and tariffs through public data
- Scraping Government Transparency Websites
Monitoring government contracts and spending data
Cross-referencing government activities with public records
Investigating public officials through government transparency portals
Scraping public hearings and legislative data for analysis
Using transparency data for investigative journalism
- Tracking Real Estate Transactions using OSINT
Investigating property ownership through public land records
Monitoring property sales for money laundering
Scraping real estate listings for trends in the housing market
Cross-referencing property owners with corporate filings
Analyzing property transactions linked to political corruption
- OSINT for Investigating Cryptocurrency Theft
Monitoring cryptocurrency wallets for signs of theft
Cross-referencing public cryptocurrency addresses with known heists
Using blockchain analysis tools to track stolen funds
Investigating thefts on decentralized exchanges
Analyzing cryptocurrency mixing services for theft obfuscation
- Tracking Public Health Trends using OSINT
Scraping public health datasets for epidemiological analysis
Monitoring social media for disease outbreaks
Investigating pharmaceutical companies through clinical trial data
Cross-referencing health trends with government data
Analyzing public health policies through open data sources
- Using OSINT for Supply Chain Security
Monitoring suppliers and partners through public data
Scraping shipping data for supply chain disruptions
Investigating supply chain cyberattacks through public records
Cross-referencing supply chain entities with financial filings
Analyzing global supply chains for geopolitical risks
- Scraping Social Media for Election Campaigns
Monitoring election-related social media activity
Investigating fake accounts and bots in election campaigns
Cross-referencing political ads with campaign finance records
Scraping social media for voter manipulation schemes
Using sentiment analysis to track public opinion during elections
- Tracking Internet Censorship and Surveillance
Scraping reports on global Internet censorship
Monitoring governments for surveillance activities
Investigating public statements on digital rights violations
Cross-referencing censorship activities with geopolitical tensions
Analyzing trends in internet shutdowns using OSINT tools
- Investigating Tax Evasion using OSINT
Scraping financial records for signs of tax evasion
Cross-referencing corporate filings with tax authorities
Investigating offshore tax havens through public data
Monitoring social media for extravagant spending patterns
Analyzing patterns of tax evasion in public databases
- OSINT for Investigating Corruption
Scraping government records for signs of corruption
Monitoring public procurement data for irregularities
Cross-referencing political activities with financial disclosures
Investigating public officials using open-source data
Analyzing whistleblower reports through OSINT tools
- Tracking Dark Web Activity with OSINT
Monitoring dark web forums for criminal activity
Scraping dark web marketplaces for illicit goods
Cross-referencing dark web data with public records
Investigating anonymity techniques used on the dark web
Analyzing trends in dark web activity using OSINT tools
- OSINT for Investigating Shell Companies
Cross-referencing corporate registrations with shell companies
Scraping financial records for links to known shell entities
Investigating tax evasion schemes involving shell companies
Monitoring offshore accounts linked to shell corporations
Using OSINT tools to track the true owners of shell companies