Information gathering and best tools for competitive intelligence

Information gathering can be done through three main concepts. They are reconnaissance, competitive intelligence and footprinting. Here we discuss on information gathering along with best tools for information gathering and know how the information methodology works. You can also learn to hack through ethical hacking certification training

Introduction

The hacking process involves in the information gathering process on a target. Information gathering is also called as footprinting. In this process of gathering, all the valuable information about any organization involves in footprinting. Information is available in the form of bits from different sources. Generally, footprinting can be used for identifying all the high-value targets. Hackers try to gather all the valuable info from various organizations where the high valued information resides. This process also helps to identify where the exact information is located. Many of them think it is easy to process, but in reality, it involves great effort and with more time. Social engineering can help to obtain more information about an organization. This is the most information gathering tool to exploit the most vulnerable asset in any organization. Human interactions and willingness to give information to make people an excellent source of information. Good social engineering techniques helps us to gain the hacking process effectively.

Reconnaissance concept

Reconnaissance term comes from the military department which means to actively collect the enemy’s composition. Coming to the world of hacking reconnaissance applies to the process of gathering all the valuable information. This gathering of information can be done by identifying the patterns of behavior of people and systems etc. learn more in ceh certification

Competitive intelligence and best tools to use

Similarly understanding the competitive intelligence means information gathering of various competitive products, marketing, and technologies. Then it is used for product comparison or it can be known as a marketing tactic to better understand how competitors are promoting their products or services. There are many tools available for competitive intelligence gathering. Some of the tools are spyfu and keyword spy online tools are used to gather information about the competitor websites. These two tools are easy to use completely passive and it means the target cannot detect the information gathering

Another popular tool for competitive intelligence is the EDGAR database. This database can be used for SEC filling for public companies. Information can be reviewing the sec filling for contact names and addresses. This tool helps to identify how company stock to Google

How information gathering methodology works

Information gathering involves seven logical steps.

Information gathering steps involves in 7 following steps they are

unearth initial information

Locate the network page

Ascertain Active Machines

Discover open Ports/Access Points

Detect the Operating System

Uncover Services On Ports

Map the Network

Among them, footprinting is performed under the first two steps by using initial information and locating the network range. You can learn more about it security certifications