Open-source intelligence, or OSINT tools are software programs designed to assist users in gathering and analyzing information to obtain insights and intelligence.
This article explains what OSINT tools are, why they are important, and some of the most popular tools currently available.
What are OSINT Tools?
Open-source intelligence (OSINT) tools are software programs designed to assist users in gathering, analyzing, and visualizing open-source intelligence. There are many uses for these tools, including:
- Risk assessment and investigation
- Research conducted for intelligence purposes
- Checking the credentials of individuals or companies
- Trends and sentiments in social media
OSINT Tools: Why Are They Important?
The importance of Open-source intelligence tools is, Manually collecting and analyzing all the information on the internet would be impossible.
It’s possible to find patterns, trends, and connectivity in the data using OSINT tools.
The following are some of the most popular OSINT tools:
1. Maltego – Cyber Intelligence And Forensics OSINT Suite [TUTORIAL]
Maltego is a software used for open-source Cyber intelligence and forensics, developed by Paterva. Maltego focuses on providing a library of transforms for discovery of data from open sources, and visualizing that information in a graph format, suitable for link analysis and data mining.
2. Intel Owl: To Analyze Files, Domains, IPs in multiple ways from a single API at scale
Intel Owl is an Open Source Intelligence, or OSINT solution to get threat intelligence data about a specific file, an IP or a domain from a single API at scale. It integrates a number of analyzers available online and a lot of cutting-edge malware analysis tools.
3. Google Advanced Search DORKS
The Google Hacking Database (GHDB) is a search index query known as Google dorks used by pentesters and security researchers to find advanced resources.
Why using advanced Search Google DORKS
- Google queries for locating various Web servers.
- Dorks for finding network devices.
- Dorks for locating Web servers.
4. Recon-ng
Recon-ng open is an source intelligence gathering tool designed to reduce the time spent harvesting information from open sources.
It was developed to provide a powerful environment for effectively conducting open source web-based reconnaissance.
5. TIGMINT: OSINT Framework (Open Source Intelligence) GUI software
An OSINT framework software with an objective of making cyber investigations more convinient by implementing abstraction mechanisms to hide the background technical complexity also bundling different analysis techniques for social media Intelligence together providing a simple intuitive web interface for the user to work with.
Penetration Testing with OSINT Tools: Uncovering Hidden Vulnerabilities
The penetration test is a process of identifying and exploiting security vulnerabilities in a network or system in order to determine its level of security.
OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence) tools have grown in popularity among penetration testers in recent years, providing more valuable information about targets, identifying potential vulnerabilities and attack vectors, and carrying out more effective and efficient penetration tests.
It is possible to gather information about a target system or network using OSINT tools during the reconnaissance phase of a penetration test. An IP address, domain name, network topology, email address, social media profile, and other publicly available data can be used to gain a deeper understanding.
Penetration testers can use this information to identify potential vulnerabilities and cyber attack vectors in target systems or networks once the information has been collected.
During a penetration test, OSINT tools can detect weak passwords, outdated software, misconfigured servers, or other vulnerabilities that can be exploited.
The following are the most popular OSINT tools used by penetration testers today.
6. TheHarvester – OSINT Suite To Track Digital Footprints [TUTORIAL]
It aims to collect emails, sub-domains, hosts, employee names, open ports and banners from various public sources, such as search engines, PGP key servers, and the Shodan Computer Database.
It is useful for penetration testers to understand the customer footprint on the Internet and useful for anyone who wants to know what an attacker can see about their organization.
7. SpiderFoot OSINT Tools
SpiderFoot automates OSINT so you can focus on analysis.
SpiderFoot is an open source intelligence (OSINT) automation tool. It integrates with just about every data source available and utilises a range of methods for data analysis, making that data easy to navigate.
8. Sifter – A Bundle of OSINT RECON And Vulnerability Scanners
It combines of Penetration Testing frameworks within different module sets in order to quickly perform recon tasks, check network firewalling, enumerate remote and local hosts, and scan for the ‘blue’ vulnerabilities within microsoft and if unpatched, exploit them. It uses blackwidow and konan for webdir enumeration and attack surface mapping rapidly using ASM.
9. Oblivion- Data Leak Checker
Oblivion is a platform focused in real time monitoring of new data leaks, notifying if the credentials of the user has been leak out. It’s possible too verify if any credential of user has been leak out before.
OSINT Framework: The OSINT Framework is a collection of OSINT tools and resources for surveillance and footprinting. It includes tools for social media, domain names, email addresses, and network reconnaissance.
Karma Version 2 – A OSINT framework
Karma v2 can be used by Infosec Researchers, Penetration Testers, Bug Hunters to find deep information, OSINT and more assets, WAF/CDN bypassed IPs, Internal/External Infra, Publicly exposed leaks and many more about their target. Shodan Premium API key is required to use this automation. Output from the is displayed to the screen and saved to files/directories.
OSINT tools are a valuable resource for penetration testers seeking, uncover hidden vulnerabilities, information about their target and identifying potential vulnerabilities and attack vectors.
Whether you’re a penetration tester, security researcher, or just interested in learning more about OSINT, these tools can help you gain valuable insights into your target and stay one step ahead of potential threats.
