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The OSINT Handbook: Mastering Open Source Intelligence

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The OSINT Handbook: Mastering Open Source Intelligence

Instructor: Packt - Course Instructors

1,508 already enrolled

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7 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

10 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

7 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

10 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Take your Cybersecurity knowledge to the next level.
Develop an OSINT-driven threat intelligence program to mitigate cyber risks
Leverage social media and digital data to enhance security practices

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

7 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 7 modules in this course

In today’s digital landscape, Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) has become an essential skill for uncovering hidden information that can make or break an investigation. The OSINT Handbook offers a comprehensive guide to understanding and utilizing OSINT tools and methods to gather intelligence, secure data, and protect against cyber threats. With real-world applications and expert insights, this course equips learners with the skills to extract valuable intelligence from publicly available sources.

By diving into techniques ranging from basic reconnaissance to advanced OSINT strategies, this course empowers learners to apply their knowledge practically. Whether you are in cybersecurity, law enforcement, or research, this course will help you harness the power of open-source data to solve complex problems and make informed decisions. You'll also gain hands-on experience with popular OSINT tools such as Recon-ng and Trace Labs. What sets this course apart is its balance of theory and practical application. Rather than simply focusing on academic concepts, it emphasizes the use of OSINT in real-world scenarios—highlighting the tools, methods, and tactics used by professionals to mitigate cyber risks, discover hidden data, and protect organizations. This course is designed for cybersecurity professionals, investigators, and anyone interested in enhancing their data-gathering capabilities. While prior knowledge of cybersecurity basics is helpful, it's not required as the course progresses from fundamental concepts to advanced techniques.

In this section, we explore OSINT techniques, frameworks, and best practices for collecting and analyzing open-source data to enhance digital security and intelligence.

What's included

2 videos2 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt

2 videosTotal 2 minutes

Course Overview1 minute
The Secrets Hiding in Plain Sight Unveiling the Power of OSINT - Overview Video1 minute

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

Introduction10 minutes
The OSINT Framework10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 10 minutes

Exploring the Foundations of Open Source Intelligence10 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Discussion: Investigating with OSINT: Tools, Process, and Responsibility10 minutes

In this section, we explore the importance of anonymity in OSINT, focusing on protecting digital footprints, managing online presence, and implementing secure communication strategies for ethical and effective research.

What's included

1 video5 readings1 assignment

1 videoTotal 1 minute

Invisible and Untouchable The Importance of Anonymity in OSINT Analysis - Overview Video1 minute

5 readingsTotal 60 minutes

Introduction10 minutes
Striking the Balance Privacy Concerns in OSINT Investigations10 minutes
Brave Browser10 minutes
Setting the Stage Creating Your Sock Puppet10 minutes
Setting Up Anonymous Communication20 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 10 minutes

Anonymity and Privacy in Open Source Intelligence10 minutes

In this section, we explore OSINT methods for collecting and analyzing open-source data, covering surface and deep web techniques, geospatial analysis, and automation tools for ethical investigations.

What's included

1 video8 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt

1 videoTotal 1 minute

The OSINT Toolbox Methods and Techniques for Gathering and Analyzing Information - Overview Video1 minute

8 readingsTotal 110 minutes

Introduction10 minutes
Utilizing Social Media Platforms10 minutes
Importance of Selecting the Right Method for a Specific Task10 minutes
Utilizing Specialized Search Engines and Directories10 minutes
Exploring Social Media for OSINT (SOCMINT)10 minutes
You Need to Sherlock It10 minutes
The Magical World of EXIF Data30 minutes
Shodan20 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 10 minutes

OSINT Methods and Tools Overview10 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Discussion: Balancing Insight and Privacy in Social Media Investigations10 minutes

In this section, we explore discovery tools for uncovering hidden OSINT data, focusing on domain/IP analysis, metadata extraction, and data visualization techniques for enhanced investigative accuracy.

What's included

1 video6 readings1 assignment

1 videoTotal 1 minute

Exploring the Unknown How Discovery Tools Reveal Hidden Information - Overview Video1 minute

6 readingsTotal 120 minutes

Introduction20 minutes
Finding the Connections30 minutes
Mapping the Digital Footprint Leveraging DNS and IP Analysis20 minutes
Wireshark20 minutes
Unearthing Hidden Insights10 minutes
Document and Metadata Analysis20 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 10 minutes

Exploring the Unknown with Discovery Tools10 minutes

In this section, we cover key OSINT tools like Recon-ng, Maltego, and Shodan for digital investigations.

What's included

1 video8 readings1 assignment

1 videoTotal 1 minute

From Recon-ng to Trace Labs A Tour of the Best Open Source Intelligence Tools - Overview Video1 minute

8 readingsTotal 115 minutes

Introduction10 minutes
Running Modules and Gathering Information with Recon-ng10 minutes
Maltego Visualizing OSINT Data and Connections20 minutes
Shodan The Search Engine for IoT10 minutes
Trace Labs A Powerful OS Designed Just for OSINT20 minutes
Aireplay-ng10 minutes
Finding Hidden Networks30 minutes
Keeping Up with the Open Source OSINT Landscape5 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 10 minutes

Exploring Open Source Intelligence Tools and Techniques10 minutes

In this section, we explore practical OSINT techniques for threat detection, data analysis, and integration into cybersecurity workflows to enhance real-time risk mitigation.

What's included

1 video6 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt

1 videoTotal 1 minute

The Eyes and Ears of Threat Intelligence How OSINT Helps Mitigate Cyber Risks - Overview Video1 minute

6 readingsTotal 65 minutes

Introduction20 minutes
The Bigger Picture10 minutes
Threat Intelligence Feeds10 minutes
Combining OSINT with Internal Security5 minutes
Cyber Threat Intelligence Platforms and OSINT Integration10 minutes
Sharing OSINT-Derived Intelligence with Other Platforms and Teams10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 10 minutes

OSINT and Cyber Threat Mitigation10 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Discussion: Reactive or Proactive? Strengthening Cybersecurity with OSINT10 minutes

In this section, we learn how to use OSINT to detect threats, analyze digital footprints, and build cyber defense strategies.

What's included

1 video4 readings1 assignment

1 videoTotal 1 minute

Protecting Your Identity and Organization from Cyber Threats - Overview Video1 minute

4 readingsTotal 60 minutes

Introduction20 minutes
Assessing and Strengthening Organizational Security with OSINT10 minutes
The Cobalt Dickens Group and Their Tricky Spear-Phishing Attacks10 minutes
Adapting to the Evolving Threat Landscape20 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 10 minutes

Cybersecurity Fundamentals and Threat Awareness10 minutes

Instructor

Packt - Course Instructors

Packt

1,946 Courses590,531 learners

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Packt

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Reviewed on Jun 9, 2026

If you want to learn about OSINT but have no ideas or prior knowledge, this is the first big step.

Reviewed on Jul 1, 2026

Really enjoyed this course and would highly recommend anyone looking into Cyber threat intelligence to watch this.

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Frequently asked questions

Yes, you can preview the first video and view the syllabus before you enroll. You must purchase the course to access content not included in the preview.

If you decide to enroll in the course before the session start date, you will have access to all of the lecture videos and readings for the course. You’ll be able to submit assignments once the session starts.

Once you enroll and your session begins, you will have access to all videos and other resources, including reading items and the course discussion forum. You’ll be able to view and submit practice assessments, and complete required graded assignments to earn a grade and a Course Certificate.

The OSINT Handbook: Mastering Open Source Intelligence

The OSINT Handbook: Mastering Open Source Intelligence

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

There are 7 modules in this course

The Secrets Hiding in Plain Sight Unveiling the Power of OSINT

What's included

Invisible and Untouchable The Importance of Anonymity in OSINT Analysis

What's included

The OSINT Toolbox Methods and Techniques for Gathering and Analyzing Information

What's included

Exploring the Unknown How Discovery Tools Reveal Hidden Information

What's included

From Recon-ng to Trace Labs A Tour of the Best Open Source Intelligence Tools

What's included

The Eyes and Ears of Threat Intelligence How OSINT Helps Mitigate Cyber Risks

What's included

Protecting Your Identity and Organization from Cyber Threats

What's included

Instructor

Offered by

Explore more from Security

Cyber Espionage and Counterintelligence

Advanced Strategic Threat Intelligence Research & Reporting

Cybersecurity Essentials - From Zero to Secure

Introduction to OpenClaw

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Jennifer J.

Larry W.

Chaitanya A.

Learner reviews

Get midyear savings and gain career momentum

Add momentum to your team

Frequently asked questions

Can I preview a course before enrolling?

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?

What will I get when I enroll?

More questions