Real-World OSINT Operations

Examining actual cases illustrates OSINT's power:

The Target Breach Research: Before compromising Target's network, attackers researched:

HVAC vendor relationships through LinkedIn
Employee names and roles
Technology discussions in forums
Corporate structure and subsidiaries This intelligence enabled precise spear-phishing campaigns.

The Twitter AP Hack: Attackers gathered intelligence on Associated Press employees:

Identified key Twitter account managers
Researched personal interests
Crafted convincing phishing emails
Successfully compromised accounts The resulting fake news tweet caused market fluctuations.