Best OSINT books
Reading is a crucial part of OSINT learning, as you gain valuable knowledge that can be applied in practice. Books structure information and offer a complete picture that you might not get from other resources. That's why we recommend reading books. This curated list offers OSINT books for everyone, whether you are into cybersecurity, journalism, investigations, or any other intelligence field.
Digital Investigations
OSINT Techniques: Resources for Uncovering Online Information
Nov. 2024
Michael Bazzel
Open Source Intelligence Methods and Tools: A Practical Guide to Online Intelligence
Jul. 2018
Nihad A. Hassan, Rami Hijazi
Deep Dive: Exploring the Real-world Value of Open Source Intelligence
May 2023
Rae Baker
Hunting Cyber Criminals: A Hacker's Guide to Online Intelligence Gathering Tools and Techniques
Feb. 2020
Vinny Troia
Open Source Investigations In The Age Of Google
Jun. 2024
Free
Henrietta Wilson
The Open Source Intelligence Guide
Nov. 2018
Thomas Caliendo
Digital Witness: Using Open Source Information for Human Rights Investigation, Documentation, and Accountability
Jan. 2020
Alexa Koenig
Osint: The Authoritative Guide to Due Diligence
Jun. 2024
Cynthia Hetherington
OSINT Investigations: We know what you did that summer (Cyber Secrets)
Dec. 2021
Justin Casey, Jeremy Martin
Cybersecurity
Google Hacking for Penetration Testers
Nov. 2015
Bill Gardner, Johnny Long, Justin Brown
Cybersecurity Blue Team Toolkit
Apr. 2019
Nadean H. Tanner
Practical Cyber Intelligence: A Hands-on Guide to Digital Forensics
Jul. 2024
Adam Tilmar Jakobsen
Operator Handbook: Red Team + OSINT + Blue Team Reference
Mar. 2020
Joshua Picolet
Practical Social Engineering: A Primer for the Ethical Hacker
Aug. 2021
Joe Gray
Penetration Testing: A Hands-On Introduction to Hacking
Jun. 2014
Georgia Weidman
Visual Threat Intelligence
Jun. 2023
Thomas Roccia
Investigative Journalism
We Are Bellingcat: An Intelligence Agency for the People
Feb. 2021
Eliot Higgins
We Are Bellingcat: The Online Sleuths Solving Global Crimes
Apr. 2022
Eliot Higgins
Verification Handbook
Feb. 2014
Free
Craig Silverman + 21 more
Open Source Investigations Handbook
Feb. 2014
Free
Sara Creta, Muhammad Al Khamaiseh, Nina Montagu-Smith
Operational Security (OPSEC)
Extreme Privacy: What It Takes to Disappear
Nov. 2024
Michael Bazzel
The Art of Invisibility: The World's Most Famous Hacker Teaches You How to Be Safe in the Age of Big Brother and Big Data
Feb. 2017
Kevin D. Mitnick
Sourcing
Full Stack Recruiter: The Ultimate Edition
Jun. 2020
Jan Tegze
OSINT for the Staffing World!
Aug. 2019
Dean Da Costa
National Security
The Art of Intelligence: Simulations, Exercises, and Games
Mar. 2014
Rubén Arcos
Introduction to Intelligence Studies
Nov. 2017
David H. McElreath
Intelligence Mindset
The Intelligence Bible: A comprehensive guide to intelligence
Dec. 2024
Oliver Wright
Psychology of Intelligence Analysis
1999
Free
Richards J. Heuer
Visual Intelligence
May 2017
Amy E. Herman
Structured Analytic Techniques for Intelligence Analysis
May 2020
Randolph H. Pherson
Critical Thinking for Strategic Intelligence
Sep. 2020
Katherine H. Pherson, Randolph H. Pherson
Scientific Methods of Inquiry for Intelligence Analysis
Aug. 2014
Hank Prunckun
Activity-Based Intelligence: Priciples and Applications
Dec. 2015
Patrick Biltgen, Stephen Ryan
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best OSINT book?
The best OSINT book is the one most relevant to you. Open-Source Intelligence is a broad field, and you should choose learning materials accordingly. Investigations are conducted differently by various professionals. For example, pentesters follow a different methodology than journalists. The former may appreciate a practical book on network scanning and vulnerability analysis, whereas journalists would typically prefer fact-checking and geolocation guides. Choose a book that aligns with your personal goals.
How do I choose the right book for me?
If you're a beginner, start with Open Source Intelligence Techniques by Michael Bazzell or Deep Dive by Rae Baker. Rae does a great job of explaining investigative methodology in simple terms and shares practical OSINT techniques. Michael Bazzell’s book focuses more on tools and OSINT tactics. Both books are great for beginners. For advanced practitioners, books that cover specialized tools and methodologies may be more suitable. Consider reading reviews and recommendations on Amazon to make a more informed decision.
How are the books chosen for your collection?
Our selections are based on expert recommendations, reader feedback, and relevance to current trends. We prioritize books that are well-written, informative, and offer practical value to our audience. We may receive a small commission if you purchase a book on Amazon using our affiliate link. However, this does not influence our selection process. Consider using our links to support our efforts in educating the OSINT community.
Do you have free OSINT books to download?
Yes, downloadable books are marked as 'Free' in the resource description. We provide direct links to ensure you always have the most up-to-date version.
How often is the book list updated?
We regularly update our catalog to ensure we offer the latest titles as soon as they are released. Additionally, we periodically review our list to ensure the books remain relevant. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed about new releases and updates.
Do you know of any other book that should be featured on our list? We love good suggestions! Email us at: hi@m.osintteam.com