Open source intelligence on the internet – categorisation and evaluation of search tools

This article presents a comprehensive analysis and systematic review of search tools used in open source intelligence (OSINT). Three main categories of software were evaluated: systems integrated with operating system or web browser, standalone applications, and repositories of links to specialised tools. A critical evaluation of representative examples from each category was conducted, taking into account their functionality, effectiveness, and limitations. The analysis identified significant gaps in the current instrumentation and formulated postulates regarding potential directions for the development of the OSINT operator skills. The optimal development direction should focus on open source, modular tools with a low entry threshold, enabling community participation in their refinement and customisation for analysts’ needs. The findings serve as a knowledge compendium for OSINT researchers, practitioners, and enthusiasts.