OSINT Guide

Understanding Open Source Intelligence and how Openprofile makes it accessible.

What is OSINT?

OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) is the collection and analysis of information from publicly available sources. Unlike covert intelligence gathering, OSINT relies entirely on data that anyone can access — it's just a matter of knowing where to look and how to connect the dots.

Common OSINT Sources

• Social Media: Public profiles, posts, and connections
• Professional Networks: LinkedIn, GitHub, portfolio sites
• Public Records: Business registrations, court records, property records
• News & Media: Press mentions, interviews, articles
• Forums & Communities: Public discussions, Q&A sites, comments
• Domain Data: WHOIS records, DNS information
• Academic Sources: Published papers, patents, research

How Openprofile Works

Our Methodology

Openprofile aggregates information from 750+ public platforms using a combination of techniques:

1. Username Enumeration: Checking if a username exists across platforms
2. Email Discovery: Finding registered accounts associated with an email
3. Profile Correlation: Linking profiles that likely belong to the same person
4. Data Normalization: Structuring information into consistent formats
5. Confidence Scoring: Rating the reliability of matches

What We Search

What We DON'T Do

Identity Resolution

Finding profiles is only half the challenge. The other half is determining which profiles belong to the same person. Our identity resolution engine considers:

• Username patterns: Similar naming conventions across platforms
• Profile photos: Visual similarity (where publicly available)
• Bio information: Matching descriptions, links, and details
• Connection overlap: Shared contacts or followed accounts
• Temporal patterns: Account creation dates and activity patterns
• Geographic signals: Location information when disclosed

Confidence Scoring

Every match includes a confidence score from 0 to 1:

• 0.9-1.0: Very high confidence — multiple strong signals align
• 0.7-0.9: High confidence — good match with some uncertainty
• 0.5-0.7: Medium confidence — possible match, requires verification
• Below 0.5: Low confidence — weak signals, high uncertainty

Ethical OSINT Practices

Principles We Follow

1. Transparency: We only use publicly available information
2. Proportionality: Data collection should match legitimate needs
3. Accuracy: We provide confidence scores, not certainties
4. Accountability: Full audit trails of all searches
5. Respect: We honor opt-out requests

Responsible Use Guidelines

When using Openprofile or any OSINT tool:

• Have a legitimate purpose: Don't search out of idle curiosity
• Verify before acting: Never make decisions based solely on aggregated data
• Respect privacy: Just because data is public doesn't mean it should be exploited
• Document your process: Maintain records of why and how you searched
• Follow applicable laws: Understand regulations in your jurisdiction

Limitations of OSINT

While powerful, OSINT has inherent limitations:

• Incomplete picture: Only shows public-facing information
• Potential for outdated data: Profiles may not be current
• False positives: Different people may share usernames
• Impersonation risk: Profiles may not be authentic
• Context loss: Information divorced from original context

Learning More

If you're interested in learning more about OSINT:

• OSINT Framework: Comprehensive resource directory
• Bellingcat: Investigative journalism using open source methods
• SANS OSINT Summit: Annual conference and training
• IntelTechniques: Training and methodology resources

Questions?