OSINT 101: Essential Google Search Hacks to Start Your Journey
This blog isn't intended to be a comprehensive guide to Google Dorking. Instead, think of it as a fun introduction designed to spark your curiosity and encourage you to dive deeper on your own.
Two weeks ago, we covered some important basics:
*What is OSINT?
*Glamour vs. Reality
*How to get started
*Tools
*Community Resources
*Staying ethical
That was a lot of information to cover in a small span of time. We will continue covering basic topics throughout our journey together. It's important to respect the learning process as we build our foundational OSINT skills. Sometimes it might feel like a slow drip, but trust me– that steady learning will lead to BIG wins. Patience is key!
Alright, let's get this party started! Or rather let's Google. But before you roll your eyes at me and say "Mrs. OSINT, I know how to Google!" DO YOU? Like a pro?
What is Google Dorking?
Google Dorking is advanced searches used to find specific information hidden in plain sight.
Understanding the Basics
Here are three simple operators we will cover today:
*site: limits search to a specific site
*filetype: filters search by file type (PDF, DOC, etc.)
*intitle: shows results with keywords in title
Google Dorking in action
Scenario: Imagine you're job hunting and want examples of professional resumes to polish your own.
- Open a new tab with Google
- Type this into Google: filetype:pdf intitle:resume "project manager"
What does this mean?
- filetype:pdf = filters results to PDFs (most of us use this format for resumes)
- intitle:resume = filters results for the title to include "resume"
- "project manager" = we can replace this with any job role you're looking for
Go ahead and try it out for yourself!
Your turn!
Example 1: Let's find reports on cybersecurity trends published by government agencies.
Try typing: site:gov filetype:pdf "cybersecurity trends"
Example 2: Imagine you're planning a dream trip to Paris and want to find a downloadable travel guide. Which Google Dork operator(s) would you use to quickly find this? Drop your answers in the comments below!
Quick ethical question! (Gotta keep you sharp!)
If you accidentally stumble upon someone’s private itinerary online, should you use that info for your investigation or personal use?
Answer: Definitely not! Respect people's privacy and boundaries.
Always think, "Would I be okay if someone used this information about me?"
Congratulations—you've officially leveled up your OSINT game! 🎉
Keep exploring, stay curious, and most importantly, keep it ethical!