The Weekly OSINT Newsletter (#98)

The latest tradecraft tips, exclusive jobs, and industry news.

📣 Welcome to another issue of our Weekly OSINT Newsletter!

Crafted by experienced professionals, our newsletter is designed for OSINT practitioners across both the private and public sectors. If you value our content, consider subscribing. Your backing not only sustains us but also empowers us to consistently provide high-quality content each week.

Straight to the point: This week's issue is packed with several invaluable resources related to the Israel-Hamas war.

Here are some highlights of this week’s issue:

1. 📚 A curated collection of resources for those closely monitoring the Israel-Hamas war, including tips on operational security measures.

2. 🧠 Two comprehensive guides focusing on the mental well-being of OSINT investigators.

3. 🌐 A deep dive into network fundamentals, explaining the concept of how HTTP actually works and why it matters.

4. 📊 Essential tips for data analysis, covering topics like exploratory data analysis and why it matters in OSINT as well as how to scrape social media data and leverage ChatGPT for insightful analysis.

5. … and much more!

Moreover, check out an OSINT job opportunity and key industry news updates:

• 🌐 How the future of cyber warfare is being molded in Ukraine.

• 🚫 The surge in disinformation on Twitter (now X) and other platforms in light of the Israel-Hamas war.

• .. and much more!

Stay informed, stay ahead, and let's dive in! 🚀

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1. OSINT Tradecraft Tips

Weekly insights from the web, handpicked and honed by experts.

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Curated Telegram Channels and Groups in the context of the Israel-Hamas War

DarkOwl and Ari Ben, co-founder of Telemetry Data Labs, have each curated and published a list of Telegram channels/groups related to the Israel-Hamas war.

DarkOwl has assembled a list spotlighting channels that offer commentary on the ongoing war.

Separately, Ari Ben has shared a Google Doc that pinpoints relevant Telegram channels and groups in relation to the invasion of Israel. What's more, individuals can actively contribute to Ari's database, adding and sharing other noteworthy groups and channels, ensuring a holistic and current representation.

Cyber Landscape of the Israel-Hamas War: A Visual Overview by CrowdStrike

Numerous hacktivist groups are involved in the cyber aspects of the Israel-Hamas war. CrowdStrike has created a graphic to showcase some of these cyber activities.

Operational Security on Telegram: Essential Tips to Navigate Safely

Before diving into data collection on Telegram, it's crucial to prioritize careful planning. This includes a thorough assessment of risks and implementing robust operational security (opsec) measures. Here are essential OPSEC tips and recommendations by Ari Ben, co-founder of Telemetry Data Labs.

i-intelligence's Evolving Guide to MENA

Given the ongoing events in the Middle East, i-intelligence is re-sharing their resource titled "#MENA Sources, News Directories, Databases, Think Tanks and Podcasts". This document is continuously updated with emerging sources. This guide by i-intelligence is an excellent starting point for those unfamiliar with key sources for the MENA region. However, for comprehensive research and understanding of events in specific areas, proficiency in the region's language is invaluable as well as a thorough understanding of history.

Eliot Higgins Highlights Mental Health in OSINT: Bellingcat's Essential Resources for Coping with Traumatic Imagery

Bellingcat founder, Eliot Higgins, recently emphasized the significance of mental health for those in the OSINT field, especially given the potential exposure to traumatic imagery. In line with this, he shared two invaluable resources by Bellingcat to assist professionals in navigating and coping with such distressing content. Being mentally equipped is paramount for anyone delving into areas with graphic content:

Guide 1: How to prevent, identify, and address vicarious trauma

Guide 2: How to maintain mental hygiene as an Open Source Researcher

The remainder of this newsletter is exclusive to our paid subscribers. Your support is invaluable in helping us produce high-quality content tailored to all practitioners, whether operating in heavily restricted environments, following strict information security policies or those with the freedom to use all tools at their disposal. Your backing ensures we cater to every professional's unique needs.