OSINT Made Easy: Streamlining Your Research With Start.me Browser Configuration

Discover how to enhance your Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) efforts with our step-by-step guide on browser configuration using Start.me. Transform your research with a tailored intelligence dashboard.

Investigation Station. Image created using DALL-E.

Welcome to the world of Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), where the vast ocean of public data awaits to reveal its secrets to those who know how to navigate its currents. If you’re an OSINT analyst, researcher, or just an info-savvy individual, your browser is your ship, and start.me is the perfect tool to steer it. With the free plan at start.me, you can configure a browser that not only sails smoothly through information streams but does so with a uniquely your flair. Let’s dive into how you can configure your awesome OSINT browser using the free plan at start.me.

6 reasons to try start.me today. Source: start.me on YouTube

Creating Your Command Center with start.me

Upon creating an account on start.me, you’ll be presented with a blank canvas — your new dashboard. This is where you can begin to organize your investigative resources with ‘widgets’ — compartments of your digital ship, each holding different types of cargo (your resources).

Figure 1. Start.me login screen with options to sign in using email, Google, Facebook, or Microsoft accounts. Source: Captured by the author.

Charting the Categories for Effective Navigation

A well-organized browser dashboard is a powerful tool in the investigator’s arsenal. Here’s a suggested blueprint for your OSINT start.me page based on actual OSINT configurations:

• Criminal Intelligence Gathering: Quick access to criminal databases and resources like offender search tools and crime reports. Example:
• Criminal Records Finder
• NSOPW
• Inmate Locator
• HotGunz Stolen Gun Database
• Vehicle History and Details: Direct links to services for license plate lookups and vehicle history reports. Example:
• License Plate Lookup
• Free License Plate Lookup
• License Plate Owner Lookup
• Digital Communication Verification: Tools to verify the safety of websites and temporary email services for privacy. Example:
• Phishtank.org
• Guerrilla Mail
• 20minutemail.com
• Email Verifier
• Developer and Coding Resources: GitHub repositories that assist with user profiling and data scraping. Example:
• sherlock-project/sherlock
• Rog3rSm1th/Profil3r
• Search Engines and Image Searches: Standard engines like Google and Bing, plus specialized tools like Shodan and TinEye for deeper dives into the web. Example:
• Google
• Google Images
• Bing
• Bing Images
• TinEye
• Shodan
• The Exploit Database
• Ahmia
• Social Media Surveillance: Platforms and analysis tools that offer insights into personal data trends and social network presence. Example:
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Reddit
• TikTok
• LinkedIn
• Twitter Analytics
• KnowEm
• Bot Sentinel
• Who posted what?
• Ashley Madison Database
• Craigslist
• Tracking and Monitoring: Services to track flights or monitor digital traces with IP logging tools. Example:
• FlightAware
• Flightradar24
• Live Train Tracker
• Grabify IP Logger
• Training and Skill Development: Educational resources to stay current with cybersecurity trends and techniques. Example:
• Try Hack Me
• Mosse Cyber Security Institute
• SANS
• News and Political Insights: Feeds from major news and political sources to keep abreast of the latest developments. Example:
• Reuters
• Google News Print Archive
• Flipboard
• Snopes
• Photo and Media Analysis: Tools for media verification to combat deepfakes and misinformation. Example:
• FotoForensics
• Pic2Map Photo Location Viewer
• Sensity.ai
• Financial Intelligence: Links for tracking financial transactions, property databases, and financial records. Example:
• Political MoneyLine
• Zillow
• BitcoinWhosWho
• Bitcoin Wallet Balance
• Etherscan
• Utility Tools: Various resources for tasks like code vulnerability checks and historical data searches. Example:
• MD5
• Online EXIF Data Viewer
• Online PGP
• GPG/PGP Keychain
• SpiderFoot
• Internet Archive
• OSINT Framework
• Pastebin.ga
• dedigger
• Cameras and Mapping: Services providing live feeds and comprehensive mapping for visual intelligence. Example:
• Insecam
• Google Maps
• Bing Maps
• Fact-Checking: Reliable sources to verify claims and debunk misinformation. Example:
• Media Bias/Fact Check
• Snopes
• OpenSecrets
• VPN and Privacy: Tools and services to maintain digital anonymity and security. Example:
• DNS leak test
• ProtonVPN
• ExoneraTor

Figure 2. Screenshot of a start.me OSINT dashboard with various categories such as Financial Intelligence, Vehicle History, News & Fact Checking, and more, each with a list of related tools and websites. Source: Captured by the author.

Harnessing the Power of Widgets

Widgets are where start.me shines, offering functionality like note-taking, to-do lists, and utilize RSS feeds to stay informed with the most recent news. This streamlines your workflow and keeps essential information at the forefront.

Figure 3. Screenshot of the ‘Add widgets’ menu in start.me with options for Bookmarks, Newsfeed (RSS), Notes, Todo list, Embed, More widgets, and Import bookmarks. Source: Captured by the author.

Customization and Collaboration

Customize your dashboard with themes and backgrounds to suit your style, making your start.me page feel like home. And if you’re part of a team, you can share your dashboard, allowing everyone to contribute resources and expertise.

Figure 4. A drop-down menu is visible with options to add widgets, edit the page, change the background, and more, allowing for a customizable OSINT dashboard. Source: Captured by the author.

Discovering New Horizons

Utilize start.me’s ‘Discover’ page to find new bookmarks added by other users, expanding your toolkit with resources you might not have known about. This collaborative feature is similar to having a lookout, pointing you toward uncharted territories.

Figure 5. Start.me Page Gallery showcasing a variety of OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) themed start pages. Source: Captured by the author.

Safeguarding Your Voyage

While the free plan doesn’t offer the advanced privacy features of the paid plans, start.me still ensures a secure environment for your OSINT work, respecting the sensitive nature of the information you handle.

Setting Course with Ease

Navigating through your start.me dashboard is intuitive, with a responsive layout that works across devices. Finding what you need is as simple as a Ctrl+F search, streamlining your navigation.

start.me tutorial — Basic Features. Source: start.me on YouTube

Embarking on Your OSINT Journey

With your start.me dashboard configured, you’re ready to embark on your OSINT journey with efficiency and style. Remember, the free plan is just the beginning; as your needs evolve, you might find the premium features increasingly attractive. But for now, set sail with your personalized OSINT browser and let the winds of information guide you to your next discovery. Happy sleuthing!

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