OSINT tools
National Research Agency analysts use open-source intelligence tools to collect data from open sources. On this page, you will find an OSINT tools list that we offer for work. They are built on specific data search and analysis algorithms that help to quickly and easily collect information. OSINT online tools are divided into groups based on the search field and the type of data you need to get.
The learning of OSINT tools is part of the analyst's expertise: each new tool increases the researcher's skills in data collection. Sometimes, new OSINT software appears that provides access to previously closed or very fragmented information. A good analyst wants to be one of the first to know about it. Another common need is to replace old OSINT search tools with new ones. Experts generally do this to optimize and improve their work, or simply because their previous OSINT toolkit has stopped working.
All or almost all the created tools use common sources, meaning that most of the available tools are aggregators of open information. However, some tools contain unique data, such as FlightRadar24, an interactive map with real-time tracking of civilian and some military aircraft. Or MarineTraffic, a similar site for tracking the geolocation of ships.
These open-source intelligence tools are exceptions, as they reflect unique data, fragments of which are not freely available. Such tools are created and maintained by specialized teams as part of data openness programs, and simply need to be known and used.
What are the OSINT tools?
OSINT tools are a collection of websites, resources, applications, and software that an OSINT analyst can use to quickly obtain specified information from open sources. All OSINT apps or websites are divided into two groups according to the availability: public and custom.
Public OSINT software
It is services, programs and applications that are available to all Internet users by default. For example, a service for person search by nickname, WhatsMyName.
Custom OSINT software
It is specific tools created by experienced analysts for their own use. Custom search tool uses the same open sources, but usually has a very specialized function. For example: National Research Agency analysts created a custom OSINT tool to search for information about a person by name among job vacancies and CVs on job search sites.
According to statistics, most people have very low skills in collecting and analyzing information from open sources. Spreading the knowledge about open-source intelligence tools multiplies the chances of successful search. We recommend you regularly investing time and effort to studying the tools. For example, we have common chats within National Research Agency where we constantly share useful links and reviews of new products in the field of OSINT intelligence.
Who uses OSINT tools?
OSINT tools are mostly used by intelligence analysts who work with open sources of information. However, most tools are designed for a wide range of users.
Let's take a look at a rather dangerous for use service Getcontact (more on this in the next section), which shows how other people's numbers from your contact list are signed. This OSINT app was created to satisfy the interest of ordinary people, but it has found wide use in intelligence research. Getcontact is a great example of an OSINT tool that is used by a wide range of people.
Another example: Wayback Machine, a website created to research updates and history on a web page. The resource has not become widespread among ordinary users, but it is actively used in intelligence to obtain insights.
How OSINT tools work?
The tools simply collect open data according to certain designed algorithms. Open-source intelligence tools are very popular, so understanding the risks of using them is much more important than researching the internal architecture of the algorithms built. Let's talk about it.
We have already mentioned a dangerous (!) OSINT search tool called Getcontact. The main problem with such software is the conditions of data use. The service not only gives you the opportunity to see how the numbers in other people's contacts are signed, but also gives other people access to information from your phone book. This is a pretty strong vulnerability that users of the OSINT app voluntarily agree to accept.
Simply said, OSINT software can harm those using them. To stay safe, National Research Agency analysts recommend using a secure device and a secure account.
A secure device
A smartphone that does not contain any sensitive information. Sensitive information is data that, if leaked, could harm you or people related to you. For example: passwords, email or physical addresses, personal photos, etc. Some OSINT search tools may not collect sensitive information from the device directly, but due to internal vulnerabilities, they may be in the zone of potential hackers' access.
A secure account
This is an email address, phone number, and other data that does not reveal real information about you and people associated with you. If your security account is accessed, hackers cannot determine your age, gender, name, and other true information.
So, whatever OSINT tools you use, first of all, take care of your own safety. Otherwise, the collection and analysis of information can harm your privacy.
Are OSINT tools free to use?
Mostly, yes, the majority of tools are free or partially free. For example, the service for people's identity search X-Ray.contact. At first, users can search for information for free, but after completing trial searches, they will have to pay for the next ones.
According to statistics, most successful open-source intelligence tools are finally monetized. And then using the free version becomes ineffective. At the same time, according to National Research Agency analysts, paid versions of the OSINT software are really worth the money. The benefits of the data received are much greater compared to the cost of using the service. In addition, the monetization of the tool indicates that it is constantly being improved by the team that created it. This often guarantees that the chosen tool will not lose its relevancy for a long time.
Are OSINT tools legal?
Yes, completely legal! It is so since every OSINT app, resource or software is based on open sources. That is, information from open databases, registries, and websites.
OSINT tools are built on the use of publicly available data, but we still insist on following security rules when using them.
Customs declarations across 30 countries. Does not consolidate different spellings of companies into one profile. Searching in various spellings.
Online reading any language from pictures (OCR), there are up to 10 pages in the trial.
The list of offers from the main nets allows you to identify partners of any service.
Database of media by countries. It is also possible to sort by specific topics. One of the largest resources for news with magazines and newspapers from around the world. However, keyword search is not available here.
Software that allows you to view contact information on companies, as well as employees' contact information on LinkedIn profile. The free version after registration has 90 loans to view mail (1 loan - 1 mail).