Setting Up DuckDuckGo Browser for Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) Investigations

This guide will help you configure your DuckDuckGo Browser to efficiently access and utilize a wide range of OSINT tools. It focuses on organizing your browser for quick access to essential resources while maintaining privacy and security.

1. Install and Configure DuckDuckGo Browser

1. Download and Install: Visit https://duckduckgo.com/app and install the DuckDuckGo Browser for your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, or Android).
2. Set DuckDuckGo as Your Default Browser: Adjust system settings to set DuckDuckGo as your default browser, ensuring all links open through it.

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2. Set Up a Multi-Tab Homepage

1. Add Essential OSINT Tools to Homepage: Open DuckDuckGo Browser settings and go to the Homepage/Startup section. Add the following URLs to open automatically on startup:

General OSINT Platforms:

1. OSINT Framework: https://osintframework.com/
2. IntelTechniques: https://inteltechniques.com/

Search Engines:

1. DuckDuckGo: https://duckduckgo.com/
2. Google (use for advanced operators): https://www.google.com/

Data Breach Checkers:

1. Have I Been Pwned: https://haveibeenpwned.com/
2. Dehashed: https://www.dehashed.com/

Device and Network Analysis:

1. Shodan: https://www.shodan.io/
2. Censys: https://censys.io/

Geospatial Intelligence:

1. Google Earth: https://earth.google.com/
2. OpenStreetMap: https://www.openstreetmap.org/
3. Sentinel Hub EO Browser: https://apps.sentinel-hub.com/eo-browser/

File and Malware Analysis:

1. VirusTotal: https://www.virustotal.com/
2. Hybrid Analysis: https://www.hybrid-analysis.com/

Historical Website Data:

1. Wayback Machine: https://archive.org/web/
2. Archive.today: https://archive.today/

Social Media Intelligence (SOCMINT):

1. Social Searcher: https://www.social-searcher.com/
2. Twint (hosted options): https://github.com/twintproject/twint
3. Save as Startup Tabs: Save the configuration to ensure these tabs open every time the browser is launched.

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3. Organize Bookmarks for OSINT Resources

1. Enable the Bookmarks Bar: In DuckDuckGo settings, enable the bookmarks bar for easy access.
2. Categorize Bookmarks: Right-click the bookmarks bar and create folders to organize tools: Search Engines: DuckDuckGo: https://duckduckgo.com/ Bing: https://www.bing.com/ People Search Tools: Hunter.io: https://hunter.io/ Pipl (requires account): https://pipl.com/ PeekYou: https://www.peekyou.com/ Domain and WHOIS Lookups: WHOIS Lookup: https://whois.domaintools.com/ DNSlytics: https://dnslytics.com/ Social Media Search: Social Searcher: https://www.social-searcher.com/ Followerwonk (Twitter Analytics): https://followerwonk.com/ Cybersecurity and Threat Intelligence: ThreatCrowd: https://www.threatcrowd.org/ AlienVault OTX: https://otx.alienvault.com/

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4. Leverage DuckDuckGo Bangs for Quick Searches

DuckDuckGo’s bangs let you search specific websites directly. Use these for OSINT investigations:

• !google - Perform a Google search (useful for advanced search operators).
• !shodan - Search Shodan (https://www.shodan.io/).
• !censys - Search Censys (https://censys.io/).
• !hackernews - Search Hacker News for cybersecurity topics.
• !whois - Perform WHOIS lookups (https://whois.domaintools.com/).

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5. Install Browser Extensions

Add the following extensions to your DuckDuckGo Browser to enhance functionality:

1. Security and Privacy Tools: HTTPS Everywhere: https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere uBlock Origin: https://github.com/gorhill/uBlock
2. OSINT-Specific Extensions: Wappalyzer (website technology profiler): https://www.wappalyzer.com/ Wayback Machine: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/wayback-machine
3. IP and Location Lookup: IPinfo.io: https://ipinfo.io/ GeoSearchTool: https://geosearchtool.com/

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6. Customize DuckDuckGo Privacy Settings

1. Enable Tracker Blocking: Open Settings > Privacy & Security and activate tracker blocking.
2. Block Third-Party Cookies: Block third-party cookies to prevent tracking across sites.
3. Use Private Browsing Mode by Default: Ensure DuckDuckGo opens in private mode for all sessions.
4. Use a VPN: Pair the browser with a VPN like NordVPN (https://nordvpn.com/) or ProtonVPN (https://protonvpn.com/) to mask your IP address.

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7. Use Custom Search Engines

DuckDuckGo allows custom search engines to expedite OSINT tasks. Add these to your workflow:

• Google Dorking Queries: Use site: operators directly in DuckDuckGo or via Google Bang (!google).
• Shodan Searches: Perform queries like !shodan followed by specific search terms for exposed services.

This setup ensures your DuckDuckGo Browser is optimized for OSINT investigations, granting quick access to tools while protecting your privacy. Let me know if you’d like help with advanced configurations or additional tools! Find additional tools here:

o?? https://start.me/p/b5epnR/free-or-near-cybersecurity-training

o?? https://start.me/p/jj2XEr/osint-global-non-us

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