At the beginning of 2023, I published my first OSINT Exercise page. Now, two years later and 31 exercises later, I am humbled by the number of people who have used them to develop their skills.
Last year, I celebrated the first anniversary by publishing a small OSINT report that showcased the patterns and trends observed from my list of exercises, and social media activity. This year the focus is not on me; it is on you, the person who comes to my website, who tries my exercises, and who writes walkthroughs that I am honoured to read.
Walkthroughs as Community-Sourced Learning
Working in Open Source Intelligence requires us to constantly strive to learn new methods, techniques, and approaches to solve problems. However, there is always a risk of becoming complacent over time. If a specific method works, why try a different one? However, this is where my OSINT exercises and your walkthroughs play an important role. Whilst the tasks I develop provide the baseline in the form of a specific, clearly defined request with a correct answer, the method used to reach that answer is entirely up to you.
When we come together afterwards to share our methods through walkthrough, we collectively teach the community how to approach the same problem in a multitude of ways. Some methods may resonate more than others, some will showcase skills you didn’t even know existed, and some will leave you wondering “why didn’t I think of that?” Ultimately, they all help us grow.
We learn, develop, and advance together as a community.
❤️
I certainly feel much richer in knowledge now than I did two years ago, and that is all because of you. Over the past two years, those of you who contributed walkthroughs to the community have shared not just your methods, but a part of who you are. You used your free time to explain what you did and how you did it. In doing so, you unknowingly shared your life experiences, cultural background, education, and so much more. Some walkthroughs were funny, some very serious. Some provided a wealth of detail, and some went straight to the point. Regardless of how you wrote them, you put effort into them, and your knowledge is now available to us all. Your effort has allowed us to grow as a community.
The Future of OSINT Exercises Walkthroughs
I have truly enjoyed reading (and sometimes watching) all the walkthroughs shared with me over the past two years. To make it even easier to share them with me, I have added an input field at the end of every OSINT Exercise page. You can now submit your walkthroughs directly to me, without needing to find and message me on social media.
I have also introduced a ⭐ emoji to highlight walkthroughts that stood out and deserved extra recognition. These are the ones where it was clear the person went above and beyond what was requested, showing a genuine desire to learn and develop their skills. Many of these walkthroughs showcased methods and strategies I hadn’t covered in my video walkthrough, and I believe everyone can benefit from exploring them.
If you came to my website to learn, why stop at my videos? Take time to check out other people’s walkthroughs, read about their process, discover what they uncovered, explore their methods, and continue learning. OSINT is about growth, sharing knowledge, and building a more resilient society through mutual learning.
Personal Favourites
But despite loving reading walkthroughs, especially the ones I starred, I do have my personal favourites. Out of the nearly 300 (!) walkthrough links scattered throughout my OSINT Exercises pages, here are the ones I want to highlight. Please be aware that if you have yet to complete these tasks, the walkthroughs will contain spoilers.
Top Star ⭐:
Enyomir has a medium account in which he shares his extremely detailed and well written walkthroughs. I have added a (very well deserved) start to almost every single one, and he is by far the user with the most stars. His blog is a treasure trove waiting to be discovered.
Most Detailed Walkthrough:
As expected, this recognition goes to Enyomir with his OSINT Exercise 018 walkthrough. A brilliant piece with so much detail that could almost be turned into a small book.
Most Dedicated User:
Walnut has been writing walkthroughs since I began creating these challenges. Their name is on almost every single OSINT Exercise page, often providing alternative strategies to solving the tasks.
Funniest Walkthrough:
I enjoy a bit of humour in life, and walkthroughs are no exception. Alerivan’s OSINT Exercise 016 walkthrough was an absolute delight to read for that very reason.
Over and Beyond Walkthrough:
Cat Soup has written brilliant blog entries, but her OSINT Exercise 019 walkthrough is by far my favourite. Her explanation on how she verified the answer to the last question was not only flawless but demonstrated the importance of thinking outside the box.
No Word Needed Walkthrough:
Hiuym produced an almost 8-minute video walkthrough for OSINT Exercise 004 in which not a single word was spoken. The user showed the process of how to solved all tasks, step by step. Sometimes that is all you need. The walkthrough was clear, straightforward, and surprisingly calm to watch.
Conclusion: Continuing the Journey Together
As I reflect on the past two years of OSINT Exercises, I am reminded of how much we have accomplished together. Each walkthrough, each shared insight, and each moment of curiosity, contributed to something greater than the sum of its parts. You, my reader, my friend, my colleague, turned my exercises into a vibrant exchange of ideas and learning, and for that, I am deeply grateful.
Looking ahead, I am excited to see how we will continue to grow together. The field of OSINT is constantly evolving, and with it, the challenges we face and the skills we need. But one thing remains clear: collaboration and shared knowledge are the keys to success. So my request is to keep exploring, learning, and inspiring one another.
Whether you shared a walkthrough, attempted an exercise, or simply stopped by to learn, you have made a difference in my life. Thank you for being part of my journey.
I hope to see you around for another year.
Sofia.
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