The MapSumper tool is a powerful open-source intelligence (OSINT) collection instrument specifically designed to gather information from Google Maps location points. Developed using Python programming language, this tool utilizes various techniques such as web scraping and geocoding to extract relevant data from the internet.
Geocoding: The process of converting addresses or coordinates into geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude). In the context of MapSumper, geocoding is used to convert map location points into recognizable coordinates that can be analyzed further.
Web Scraping: A technique used to extract data from websites. In the case of MapSumper, web scraping is employed to collect information from Google Maps web pages, which contain location point data.
The MapSumper tool operates by navigating to a specific Google Maps URL and extracting relevant information such as latitude, longitude, address, city, state, country, postal code, phone number, email, and more. It then uses this extracted data to create a CSV file for further analysis.
The use of MapSumper for OSINT offers several benefits, including:
The use of MapSumper also comes with some limitations, including:
In conclusion, the MapSumper tool is a valuable instrument for OSINT collection, offering an efficient and accurate means of gathering location point data from Google Maps. Its use requires careful consideration of technical terms, benefits, and limitations, but can provide significant insights into online activities and behaviors.