Open Source Intelligence Techniques: Resources for Searching and Analyzing Online Information Paperback – January 1, 1692

This book and its author have changed my life in terms of my concern for privacy and security. I know it's a bit ironic to say I suddenly care about privacy/security then post about it on Amazon, but here we go:This book was a textbook for an OSINT class I took in college. It seemed cool so I decided to buy instead of rent and I'm glad I did. This book offers tons of websites, applications, and advice for conducting OSINT and how to avoid being a target for others doing the same. Everything from how to find the origination of an image, to cracking open Wi-Fi connected cameras, to using social media to track someone. If you really want to go down this rabbit hole, check out the author's website (inteltechniques.com) and his podcast. He and Justin Carroll discuss all sorts of ways to prevent yourself from being tracked, etc. It's really quite a fascinating world even if you don't plan to go into it.Most of their techniques are laid out in this book, and really even if you just want to be able to find information more easily online (any kind of info) this book will help a lot!

As a genealogist who works with our county coroner in finding next of kin for unclaimed persons, this book is my number one 'go to'. It has helped bring closure and peace to families of missing persons. I have recommended this book to everyone I know. In a single book, the number of sources is vast and his explanations of how to use the sites are perfect for even those who are not tech savvy. I have been doing genealogy for years and know a lot of resources but Michael's book has gems that no one in my genealogy society had ever heard of. I used his book in preparing to give a class for genealogists for finding living persons. To prepare, I used his sites and inserted the name of an old friend with an unusual name to see what I would get. It was amazing. Often, techy books are outdated by the time they are printed. Not so here. Every resource gave valuable hits. The amount of information "out there" on all of us is disturbingly vast. Mr. Bazzell knows and is helping the rest of us know too. Thanks for a great resource!

As I mentioned in a few comments made by other readers, I have been a counterintelligences agent, criminal and civil Investigator, and a private investigator for decades. Although I have never been an intelligence analyst, the true researchers. I had reviewed Mr. Bazzell's 4th Edition, passed along to me by a friend, and then purchased this update. Hopefully the 6th Edition is in the works. I am still digesting everything, but it is an excellent book. Will be for many months to come as I learn from this blueprint. Sure, certain sites and techniques change. That is the reason for updates in any professional publication. Anyhow, this book is an incredible piece of work and I will be going online to join his website and take advantage of the other tools he provides. (No, I do not know Mr. Bazzell.) Thank you, Sir. Signed, Leon Ives, author of Vanished! How to Protect Yourself and Your Children.

This book has a lot of info that will help you get the intel on just about anyone. If you are only after one person, I would weigh the price of the book versus paying a site that gives you all the info for about the same price as the book. However, if you are looking at multiple people, this is definitely the way to go. What I really like is how it reminds you to protect yourself and shows you how to do it.

As always, Bazzell knocks it out of the park with his latest update to Open Source Intelligence Techniques. The book itself provides incredibly valuable tips and tricks I've been unable to find anywhere else, enhanced by Bazzell's own investigative insight. In addition, the resources Bazzell outlines in the book are easily available on Bazzell's own website, which is a big value add. Being one of the very few books to cover online tools useful to investigative and research professionals, this book and its accompanying website are invaluable to me as an investigator. The only thing I worry about is Bazzell's claim on his website that this will be the final version of the book - say it isn't so!

I've been a private investigator for more than 30 years and I can state without reservation that this book should be the standard for learning open source intelligence (OSINT) gathering. Every investigator should not only have this on their shelf, but should have studied and practiced every chapter in the book (especially chapters 1 and 17). I haven't found anyone that beats Bazzell at this stuff at this level.

Top notch publication. The author is probably the Worlds pre-eminent authority on OSINT. Excellent tips and tricks, highlighting that this field is a legitimate INT field in its own right and those that practice it are highly skilled.The book advances quite quickly and I would suggest that you need an INT background to fully grasp the rational behind the practice

Just received this book a few days ago. I cannot say enough good things about it. It is absolutely fantastic and has already given me the tools to advance two missing persons investigations.VERY highly recommended.Michelle Mounts