opsec

Reduce unnecessary contact while keeping the evidence clean.

OPSEC in OSINT is not about looking dramatic. It is about avoiding accidental interaction, keeping notes clean, and not turning research into harm.

Passive first

Start with public records, archives, metadata, official pages, and search results. Do not log in, message people, test passwords, or touch live systems unless you have clear authorization.

Keep a clean working trail

--Record where a source came from.
--Keep screenshots and dates separate from interpretation.
--Do not mix personal accounts with research work.
--Redact private details before sharing.

Write limits clearly

If a source is incomplete, say so. If you did not contact a system or a person, say that too. Limits make the report stronger.