Ongoing Source Intelligence (OSINT) is a method of gathering, analyzing, and disseminating publicly available information. In this article, we will discuss how to use Google Dorks to conduct an email address investigation.

What are Google Dorks?

A Google Dork is a keyword or phrase that is used in conjunction with quotes and the filetype: operator to search for specific files or documents on Google. In an email address investigation, we will use Google Dorks to find relevant information about an individual's email account.

Steps to conduct an Email Address Investigation using Google Dorks:

Step 1: Gather the Target Email Address

The first step in conducting an email address investigation is to gather the target email address. This can be done through various means, such as social media profiles, online directories, or even physical contact information.

Using the Google Dorks Operator

Once you have gathered the target email address, you will need to use the Google Dorks operator to search for relevant information. The most commonly used Google Dorks operators are:

• site: : This operator is used to search within a specific website or domain.
• filetype: : This operator is used to search for specific file types, such as PDFs or Word documents.
• intitle: : This operator is used to search for keywords within the title of a webpage.
• inurl: : This operator is used to search for keywords within the URL of a webpage.

For example, if you are searching for an email address that contains the keyword "example", you can use the following Google Dorks query:

"site:example.com filetype:pdf inurl:email"

This search query will look for PDF files on the example.com domain and within the URL of those pages, contain the keyword "email".

Advanced Search Techniques:

In addition to using the Google Dorks operator, there are several advanced search techniques that can be used to enhance your email address investigation.

Using filetype: with specific file extensions

You can use the filetype: operator to search for specific file types, such as PDFs or Word documents. For example, if you are searching for an email address that contains the keyword "example", and you want to search within PDF files, you can use the following Google Dorks query:

"site:example.com filetype:pdf inurl:email"

This search query will look for PDF files on the example.com domain and within the URL of those pages, contain the keyword "email".

Using intitle: with specific keywords

You can use the intitle: operator to search for keywords within the title of a webpage. For example, if you are searching for an email address that contains the keyword "example", and you want to search within the title of a webpage, you can use the following Google Dorks query:

"site:example.com intitle:email "

This search query will look for webpages on the example.com domain and within the title of those pages, contain the keyword "email".

Tips and Best Practices:

When conducting an email address investigation using Google Dorks, there are several tips and best practices to keep in mind.

Use specific keywords

The more specific the keyword, the better chance you have of finding relevant information. For example, instead of searching for "email", try searching for "example@domain.com".

Tips for Searching Email Addresses:

When searching for email addresses, there are several tips to keep in mind.

Use quotes around the keyword

If you want to search for a specific phrase or sequence of characters, use quotes around the keyword. For example, if you want to search for "example@domain.com", surround the keyword with quotes.

Conclusion:

Conducting an email address investigation using Google Dorks is a powerful tool for gathering information about an individual's online presence.

By following the steps outlined in this article, and using advanced search techniques such as filetype: and intitle: , you can gather valuable information about an email address holder.