(OSINT) tools to help find missing persons

General Discussions
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I came across this on DistroWatch this morning. It is an interesting concept. Is also shows the versatility of Linux.

Trace Labs OSINT VM is a Debian-based Linux distribution with specialist open-source intelligence (OSINT) tools to help find missing persons and reunite them with their families. It is provided as a set of pre-built images for VMware and Virtual Box virtual machines. The OSINT tools, which need to be downloaded separately via a helper script, include Email Search (to perform email searches via social media, breach info, and other sources), Multi Search (to perform searches over multiple sources, such as social media, domains, IPs, phone numbers), Username Search (to check username availability across multiple platforms), Social Media (to gather OSINT from popular social media platforms). Also included are Phone Numbers, Images & Video Analysis, Documentation & Capture; Geolocation & Mapping, among various other useful tools.

I hope it is very successful in finding people’s lost loved ones.

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Weekly Forum Summary
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:smiling_face_with_sunglasses: This is one of those projects that highlights just how broad the Linux ecosystem has become. Specialized distributions like this show how Linux can be tailored for very specific real world purposes.

Nice that Trace Labs has focused on open-source tools. Hopefully, helps reunite families with missing loved ones. It’s a worthwhile use of the platform. Now back to the video! :slight_smile:

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My wife keeps telling me that my mind goes places nobody else would!

Wouldn’t that tool enable bad actors to locate people who have been “displaced” under some kind of “Witness protection program”?

From that standpoint, is it a good idea to have such tools in the hands of the General Public?

Something to reflect on, not really trying to trigger a discussion. :slight_smile:

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All tools can be used for good or bad purposes. You can smother someone with a pillow.
All we can do is hope it’s used for it’s intended purpose.

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Indeed, it’s just amazing how broadly Linux can be used (and I sincerely hope for the betterment of humanity!).

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Tools are tools. It is the person wielding the tool that determines it’s purpose. Unfortunately, any good tool can be used for bad purposes.

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