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OSINT

Protecting Your Data from OSINT (Open Source Intelligence)

Limit Publicly Available Information:

  • Regularly audit your online presence. Search for your name, email, and phone number on search engines to see what information is publicly available.
  • Remove or request the removal of personal details from data broker websites, people-search sites, and public directories.

Tighten Social Media Privacy Settings:

  • Set your social media profiles to private or restrict access to friends and family only.
  • Avoid sharing sensitive information like your address, workplace, or daily routines.
  • Disable location tagging and geotagging in photos.

Use Pseudonyms or Alternate Identities:

  • Consider using a pseudonym or alternate identity for non-critical online accounts (e.g., gaming, forums, or subscriptions).
  • Avoid using your real name, email, or phone number when signing up for services that don’t require it.

Be Cautious with Public Records:

  • Be mindful of public records like property ownership, court documents, or voter registration. In some cases, you can request to have your information redacted or restricted.
  • Use a P.O. Box or virtual address for public records instead of your home address.

Avoid Oversharing in Online Communities:

  • Be cautious about sharing personal details in forums, comment sections, or online communities. Even seemingly harmless information can be pieced together to build a profile of you.
  • Use throwaway accounts for sensitive discussions.

Avoid Screen Sharing/Recording:

  • Avoid screen sharing as it can lead to personal information leaks or accidentally expose your identity.
  • when screen sharing on a smartphone or computer, you might accidentally reveal your connected Wi-Fi network name (SSID), a list of available Wi-Fi networks in your area, or even your device’s MAC address. Attackers can use this information to track your location through wardriving databases like WiGLE. If you must share your screen, be mindful of what is visible, close any unnecessary tabs, apps, or documents, and avoid navigating to network settings or sensitive information.
  • The date and time displayed on your desktop or phone during screen sharing can also reveal your location. Many devices automatically set the time zone based on your geographical location. Example: If your screen shows a time zone like “GMT+2” or a city name like “New York,” attackers can infer your country or region. This information, combined with other data, can be used to narrow down your exact location.

Monitor Your Digital Footprint:

  • Use tools like Google Alerts to monitor mentions of your name, email, or other personal details online.
  • Regularly review and delete old accounts or posts that may expose sensitive information.

Use Unique Usernames Across Platforms:

  • Avoid using the same username across multiple platforms. This makes it harder for someone to connect your accounts and build a comprehensive profile of you.
  • Use a username generator or randomizer for added anonymity.

Be Careful with Photos and Metadata:

  • Strip metadata (e.g., EXIF data) from photos before sharing them online. This prevents revealing details like location, device used, or timestamps.
  • Avoid posting photos that reveal identifiable landmarks, license plates, or other sensitive details.

Secure Your Domain and Online Assets:

  • If you own a domain, use WHOIS privacy protection to hide your personal information from public databases.
  • Regularly review and secure any online assets (e.g., websites, blogs) to prevent them from being exploited.

Use Disposable Email Addresses and Phone Numbers:

  • For online sign-ups or non-critical services, use disposable email addresses (e.g., from services like TempMail) and virtual phone numbers (e.g., Google Voice).
  • This reduces the risk of your primary contact information being exposed.

Be Mindful of Professional Profiles:

  • Review and limit the information you share on professional networking sites like LinkedIn. Avoid listing sensitive details like your exact job title, projects, or contact information.
  • Use a generic email address for professional profiles instead of your personal one.

Regularly Review App Permissions:

  • Check the permissions granted to apps on your devices. Revoke access to apps that don’t need access to your location, contacts, or other sensitive data.
  • Uninstall apps that collect excessive data or have poor privacy practices.

Use Encrypted Messaging and Email Services:

  • For sensitive communications, use encrypted messaging apps (e.g., Signal) and email services (e.g., ProtonMail) to prevent interception or data leaks.
  • Avoid using SMS or unencrypted email for sharing sensitive information.

Educate Yourself on OSINT Techniques:

  • Learn about common OSINT tools and techniques (e.g., Google Dorking, social media scraping) to understand how your data can be collected.
  • Use this knowledge to identify and close potential vulnerabilities in your online presence.

Regularly Update and Secure Your Accounts:

  • Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all accounts to prevent unauthorized access.
  • Regularly review account activity and log out of unused sessions.

Avoid Posting Personal Achievements or Milestones:

  • Be cautious about sharing personal achievements, such as graduations, promotions, or awards, as these can be used to build a profile of you.
  • If you must share, do so selectively and with trusted individuals.

Use a VPN for Anonymity:

  • A VPN can help mask your IP address and location, making it harder for OSINT collectors to track your online activities.
  • Choose a reputable VPN provider with a no-logs policy.

Be Wary of Online Quizzes and Surveys:

  • Avoid participating in online quizzes, surveys, or personality tests that ask for personal information. These are often used to collect data for OSINT purposes.
  • Even seemingly harmless questions can reveal sensitive details about you.

Regularly Clean Up Old Accounts:

  • Delete or deactivate old accounts on social media, forums, and other platforms that you no longer use.
  • Old accounts can be a goldmine for OSINT collectors, especially if they contain outdated but sensitive information.

Stick to these tips and keep your personal info on lockdown. Protect yourself and stay ahead of the game. Stay safe out there!