Open-source intelligence, or OSINT, sounds like something straight out of a spy movie, but it’s actually something that anyone—yes, even you—can use. It’s just a fancy term for gathering information from publicly available sources. No hacking, no secret government clearances, just good old-fashioned research skills and knowing where to look. If you’ve ever Googled someone before a job interview or checked social media to see if your date is a total weirdo, congratulations, you’ve already done OSINT.
For governments, companies, and journalists, OSINT is a powerful tool. Intelligence agencies use it to track global events, businesses use it to monitor competitors, and reporters use it to uncover hidden truths. But even the average person can benefit from it in ways they might not realize. Want to make sure that Craigslist seller isn’t a scammer? OSINT. Need to find out if that amazing apartment listing is too good to be true? OSINT. Trying to track down that one annoying telemarketer who won’t stop calling? You guessed it—OSINT.
I’ve personally used OSINT in a few projects, including tracking shipments in and out of China. With nothing more than a MarineTraffic.com account and some publicly available data, I was able to monitor trade routes and piece together economic activity. I’ve also leveraged OSINT when researching foreign policy and national security, including in my work with the Afghanistan War Commission. And let’s not forget my current OSINT project, where I’m tracking the state of China’s economy using data that most people don’t even think to look at.
The beauty of OSINT is that it’s available to everyone. You don’t need special training, just a curious mind and a little patience. If you want to get started, try looking up business records, checking domain registrations, or even using Google’s advanced search tools. There’s a whole world of information out there, just waiting to be found. And who knows? Maybe next time you’re trying to figure out if that “limited-time” online deal is actually a scam, a little OSINT could save you from getting ripped off.
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