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What is IntelTechniques by Michael Bazzell?
IntelTechniques is Michael Bazzell's hub for open-source intelligence (OSINT) and privacy training, books, and research resources. Its own site describes it as the home for all of the project's sites, with a blog, a resources section, online video training, a book store, and an OSINT Professional (OSIP) certification tied to that training.
What you'll find there
- Training and certification: Online video training with an optional OSIP certification for participants.
- Books: Print and digital titles on OSINT and privacy, including a 5th-edition Extreme Privacy.
- Blog and resources: Ongoing posts, such as updates to the project's OSINT scripts, plus guides and tools.
Who it's for
- Investigators, researchers, and journalists who need practical OSINT methods.
- Privacy-conscious individuals who want to reduce their online exposure.
- Professionals who want structured training rather than scattered free tutorials.
Trade-off to weigh
The site mixes free material (blog, some resources) with paid training, certification, and books. If you only want to sample the approach, start with the blog and resources; if you need a credential or a full curriculum, the training and certification path is the relevant one.
A useful next step: read a recent blog post or two, then decide whether the paid training fits your goals. For broader context on OSINT methods, compare with other established trainers and communities such as Bellingcat or OSINT Framework.
What does the OSIP certification involve and how do I earn it?
OSIP stands for Open Source Intelligence Professional, and IntelTechniques frames it as the certification attached to its online video training rather than a standalone exam. According to the site, the certification is offered to participants of that training, so the practical path is: enroll in the online video training, work through the material on your own schedule, and complete the program to earn the credential.
The site describes the training as self-paced, which matters if you already have a day job in investigations, compliance, journalism, security or research. You are not tied to a cohort calendar; you progress when you can.
What the site says is involved
- Online video training, accessed through the IntelTechniques site.
- Certification as an Open Source Intelligence Professional (OSIP) for participants.
- A separate training FAQ and OSIP details page for specifics.
- Related books and blog posts on OSINT and privacy that support the same subject area.
A practical way to decide If you want a structured, self-paced credential in OSINT methods, start with the OSIP details and training FAQ pages on IntelTechniques by Michael Bazzell, then compare the syllabus against your actual work tasks. If your goal is mainly to learn a few techniques, the blog and books may be enough without the certification. If you need a credential to show employers or clients, the training route is the one the site describes.
Example reader scenario A fraud investigator whose team is being asked to document open-source research methods might use the training to standardize how analysts collect and record public information, then point to the OSIP credential when explaining that background to management. A journalist, by contrast, might get more value from the free blog posts and a single book.
Check the official OSIP details and training FAQ before enrolling, since those pages carry the current requirements, format and any prerequisites.
How can I get started with the online video training for OSINT and privacy?
Start by visiting IntelTechniques by Michael Bazzell and going to its Online Training section. The site describes the training as self-paced, so you can work through it around your own schedule, and it says participants can pursue the Open Source Intelligence Professional (OSIP) certification. From the same site you can also read the Training FAQ and OSIP details before committing, and browse the blog and resources pages for free guides and scripts.
A practical first step: skim the Training FAQ and OSIP details, then decide whether you want the certification track or just the skills. If you mainly want privacy hardening for yourself or your family, the site's books (including the 5th Edition of Extreme Privacy) may be a better starting point than a full course; if you need OSINT skills for investigations, research or a professional role, the OSIP path is the more direct route.
To get the most out of it, treat the course as a project rather than passive viewing:
- Set aside a regular weekly block and complete modules in order.
- Follow along on your own machine using the site's scripts and guides, so you build muscle memory.
- Keep a running list of tools and techniques you actually use, and revisit the FAQ when a module assumes context you lack.
- Pair training with the blog's update posts, since OSINT methods and privacy tools change quickly.
For broader context, the OSINT community around OSINT Framework and the privacy guidance at EFF Surveillance Self-Defense can complement what you learn, though they are separate resources with their own approaches.
Which IntelTechniques book should I buy for learning OSINT or extreme privacy?
Choose based on your goal: buy the OSINT Techniques book if you want to find, verify and organize public information, or the Extreme Privacy book if your priority is reducing your own digital exposure. IntelTechniques presents both as separate print and digital titles in its bookstore, alongside online video training and an OSINT Professional certification IntelTechniques by Michael Bazzell.
OSINT Techniques
This is the investigative track. It suits journalists, fraud and due-diligence researchers, security analysts, and anyone who needs to trace people, companies or accounts using public sources. Expect methodology and tooling rather than personal protection advice.
Extreme Privacy
This is the defensive track. It suits people who are already reasonably comfortable with technology but want to cut down how much data brokers, advertisers and search engines hold about them. The site notes a current 5th Edition, so check the edition before buying a used copy.
Quick comparison
| Your goal | Better starting book | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Investigate others from public data | OSINT Techniques | Built around collection and analysis workflows |
| Reduce your own footprint | Extreme Privacy | Built around removal, separation and hardening |
| Do both professionally | Both, OSINT first | Investigation skills make privacy trade-offs clearer |
| Want structured instruction | Video training plus certification | Adds guided coursework and an OSIP credential |
Practical next step
Read the table of contents and sample pages for each title before paying, then decide whether you also want the training. If you are unsure, ask what you would actually do in the first month: run searches on unfamiliar targets, or clean up your own accounts. That answer usually picks the book for you.
What tools and resources does IntelTechniques offer for conducting OSINT investigations?
IntelTechniques is a hub for open source intelligence (OSINT) and privacy training, books and scripts rather than a single tool. Its resources fall into four practical groups.
Training and certification
- Online video training: self-paced courses, with an OSINT Professional (OSIP) certification available to participants.
- Training FAQ and OSIP details pages explain format, requirements and certification steps.
This suits an investigator, journalist or analyst who wants structured instruction rather than scattered tutorials.
Books
- OSINT and privacy titles in print and digital formats.
- The 5th edition of Extreme Privacy is the current privacy-focused volume.
Books are the better choice if you prefer reference material you can annotate and revisit; video training is better for guided, sequential learning.
Blog and scripts
- The blog covers projects and guides, including updated OSINT scripts.
Scripts are best treated as starting points: review what each one queries before relying on its output, since data sources change.
Choosing between them
| Need | Resource |
|---|---|
| Structured learning and a credential | Online training and OSIP certification |
| Deep reference on privacy | Extreme Privacy, 5th edition |
| Current techniques and tooling | Blog posts and OSINT scripts |
| General browsing of services | Main site navigation |
Next step: if you are new to OSINT, start with the training FAQ and OSIP details to confirm the certification fits your goals, then use the blog to stay current. For broader context, compare with OSINT Framework.
How can I use IntelTechniques resources to protect my personal privacy online?
IntelTechniques is best understood as a privacy and OSINT education hub rather than a single tool. Its page presents three main resources: a blog, a resources section, and a bookstore, plus an online video training program that leads to an OSIP (Open Source Intelligence Professional) certification. If your goal is protecting your own privacy, the most direct path is to use the books and training as a structured curriculum, then apply the techniques to your own accounts and devices.
A practical starting point
- Skim the blog for recent posts, since the page highlights ongoing updates such as revised OSINT scripts. Reading how investigators find information helps you see what you are leaking.
- Pick one book as an anchor text — the site features an "Extreme Privacy" book, now in a 5th edition, alongside other OSINT and privacy titles.
- Work through the online video training if you prefer guided instruction; it is also the route to the OSIP certification.
- Apply changes in layers: data brokers and public records first, then accounts and communications, then devices and network habits.
Who each resource suits
| Resource | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Blog | Keeping current on techniques and tool changes | Fragmented; you assemble your own plan |
| Books | A structured, self-paced reference | Requires sustained reading and self-discipline |
| Online training / OSIP | Learners who want a defined path and credential | More time and commitment than a quick read |
Example scenario
Suppose your home address and phone number appear on people-search sites. You could read the site's privacy guidance to learn how removal requests work, then use its OSINT material to check what else is exposed under your name, email, and usernames. The same knowledge that lets an analyst profile a target lets you audit yourself. Related official resources worth knowing include the privacy guidance at U.S. Federal Trade Commission and data-removal help from FTC Consumer Advice.
Decision criterion
Choose the blog if you want quick, current tips; choose a book or the training if you want a repeatable process you can work through over weeks. The certification matters mainly if you want to demonstrate OSINT skills professionally, not for personal privacy alone.
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