Open-source intelligence (OSINT) is the backbone of modern, proactive cybersecurity. It is built on a selection of advanced tools designed to scour the darkest corners of the internet looking for any information that might prove helpful in detecting and stopping threats. There are many OSINT tools for cybersecurity. Do you know what they are and how they are used?
Organized by Data Type
Security teams need access to all sorts of data. But data needs can be very specific depending on circumstances. So to better define what might be needed at any given time, OSINT frameworks for cybersecurity divide both data types and tools by category. The categories are based on the types of data each particular tool gathers.
Grouping by data type helps analysts target both data and sources based on what they are trying to learn. It’s similar to a carpenter measuring a deck on which he is working. Although the kitchen measurements might matter in other circumstances, they do not matter to a carpenter working on the deck.
8 Datatypes and Their Uses
Grouping data and OSINT tools for cybersecurity generates eight different data types. Here they are, along with their general uses:
1. Human Footprint
Also known as social intelligence data, human footprint data relates to the connected digital identities associated with threat actors and groups. These digital identities include social media profiles, online behaviors, and relationships between various people and entities. OSINT tools gather this data by scraping social networks, public posts, blogs, and forums.
2. Domain Threat Intelligence
Data relating to all things domains and DNS records help security experts identify network vulnerabilities. The information is gathered with the use of domain lookup tools, SSL certificate trackers, port scanners, and DNS analyzers.
3. Email Breach and Pwned Data
The data in this category reveals specific emails and/or account usernames exposed by breaches. It points security experts to things like leaked credentials and identity theft. Data is gathered and compared against databases like Have I Been Pwned.
4. Search Engines and Aggregators
The next data type pertains to search engines and aggregators. It gleans data from open web content for the purposes of corroborating findings from other investigative means. Data is gathered using advanced search operators.
5. Dark Web and Messaging Platforms
Data in this category is gleaned from dark web forums, common marketplaces, and secure messaging apps. DarkOwl, a leader in OSINT tools, explains that the value of darknet data is the ability to monitor cybercriminal activity with it. The data is gleaned using specialized crawlers, Tor network tools, and other solutions.
6. Public Records and Databases
Direct queries of official databases give investigators access to data found in all sorts of government records and official filings. The data are useful for confirming identities, ownership, and other investigative parameters.
7. Media and News Outlets
This data category is self-explanatory. It includes information cultivated from a variety of new sources. Investigators rely on standard news monitoring services and aggregation tools.
8. Geolocation Data
Geolocation data rounds out the list. It points to and confirms physical locations using coordinates from photos, posts, venue information, etc. The data are useful in helping investigators understand the geographical origins of threat actors and their attacks.
By using a variety of OSINT tools for cybersecurity investigations, security experts can take advantage of data made publicly available across every level of the internet. Sometimes it takes a lot of digging to find relevant data. But once found, the data can be enriched to provide a more complete picture of what security experts are dealing with.
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