Written by Nikk Delibasic · Founder, GACS — Global Anti-Crime & SafetyReviewed by Nicholas Alexander, RSE, SO, PMP and the GACS Research TeamLast reviewed September 8, 2026 · first published May 12, 2026
Topic
Learn OSINT
OSINT is the fastest-growing skill in intel, journalism, and corporate security. It turns public information into answers, and it doesn't require any special access or clearance. Start free, upgrade to the certification when you're ready to prove it.
What you'll be able to do
- Geolocate a photo from public clues (sun position, signage, satellite cross-check)
- Profile a company's ultimate beneficial owner via registries
- Verify and archive evidence properly (Archive.today, WebRecorder)
- Write an OSINT report that stands up in court or a newsroom review
- Maintain opsec so your research doesn't get you doxxed
Ready to start?
Free OSINT CertificationFrequently asked questions
Do I need special software?
Everything in the free course runs in a browser or with free tools. The paid diploma adds a lightweight Linux VM for the more sensitive lookups but it's optional.
Is OSINT legal?
OSINT uses only publicly available information — legal by definition. The ethics module covers the lines you shouldn't cross (impersonation, unauthorised access, jurisdiction-specific privacy rules).
Who uses OSINT?
Journalists, corporate security, threat-intel, due-diligence firms, NGO investigations, law-enforcement contractors, and researchers.
How does this differ from cyber threat intel?
OSINT is a source discipline; CTI is a use case. OSINT skills are core to CTI but CTI also requires malware and network forensics background.
Is there a certificate?
The free path issues a completion certificate; the paid diploma issues a verifiable certificate + you produce a public writeup as portfolio.
How long is the free intro?
About 90 minutes across five modules. No signup.
Which people-search tools do I need to pay for?
None to start. Sherlock, Hunter.io free tier, EPIEOS, and manual cross-platform correlation cover 80% of investigations.
Sources
- 12025 Internet Crime Report FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) · 2026 — Annual US complaint and loss figures, including crypto investment fraud.
- 2ReportFraud.ftc.gov US Federal Trade Commission — Where US consumers file a fraud report.
- 3Recognize and report phishing US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) — What to do after clicking a phishing link or entering credentials.
- 4Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre RCMP / Competition Bureau / OPP — Canada's central fraud reporting and intelligence body.
Authoritative sources
Independent primary sources used to check and corroborate the guidance on this page.
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
Official US channel for reporting internet-enabled fraud and cybercrime.
- US Federal Trade Commission — ReportFraud
Consumer fraud reporting and published enforcement data.
- UK Action Fraud
UK national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime.
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Canada's central repository for fraud reports and scam alerts.
