|
Course Description
| Course
Title: |
|
|
Internet
for Investigations
(full 12-week course) |
| Description: |
|
|
The Internet consists
of over ten
billion pages of information yet many investigators make only
superficial use of this amazing resource.
The
distinguishing
feature of this course is that it was designed for investigators -
those who need to search more aggressively and use information more
carefully than the general public.
The
intention of
this course is to turn those who already have some computer and
Internet experience into power users of the Internet and to reveal how
the Internet can augment their traditional investigative methodology.
It covers not only technical issues, but includes how to formulate good
search strategies and how to make sense of the results.
|
| Course
Learning Objectives: |
|
|
Students who
receive credit for this course will have added one more tool to their
investigative toolbox. They will be able to:
- conduct
efficient and effective Internet searches using multiple search tools
and advanced techniques;
- enhance
their
Internet browser with tools and utilities;
- retrieve
information from the Historical Web and the Invisible Web;
- identify,
assess, and recruit experts, allies, and cybersources;
- employ
strategies and formulate tactics to minimize costs and optimize results;
- compliment
free
information from the Net with information from commercial databases;
- shield
their
identity and protect the integrity of their systems and data while
on-line;
- utilize a
selective list of hundreds of high-value websites relevant to
investigators;
- assess
information obtained via the Internet for accuracy and bias;
- organize
information visually using link diagrams;
- trace
websites
and email;
- preserve
websites;
- profile
individuals using only their email or newsgroup postings; and
- appreciate
the
differences between traditional crime and cybercrime.
|
Course Outline
|
1
|
Investigations
& the Net
(J. Pyrik) |
Provides
a realistic idea of the strengths and limitations of the
Net as an investigative aid. Includes:
- the
Net in context as one form of Open Source Intelligence (OSINT);
- some
common
myths about the Net;
- a
step-by-step case study illustrating the use of the Net in a fictitious
investigation;
- job
opportunities for Internet investigators; and
- some
of the best sites on the Web for investigators.
|
|
2
|
Searching
101
(J. Pyrik) |
An
introduction to the basics. Includes:
- how
browsers and search engines work;
- search
engine limitations, criticisms, and little-known special features;
- strategies
and tactics to optimize searches.
|
|
3
|
Searching
202
(J. Pyrik) |
Building
on the foundation established in Searching 101, this
module includes:
- how
to get more out of Google
- blogs,
wikis, and podcasts;
- guru
pages, megasites, and web rings;
- electronic
mailing lists;
- newsgroups
(over a billion messages) and
- tips
and tricks.
|
|
4
|
Searching
Smarter
(J. Pyrik) |
This module
delves
into the parts of the Web that search engines can't penetrate. It also
shows how to get relevant content pushed to your desktop and presents
the Internet as a means to finding high-value primary sources of
information. Topics covered include:
- the
Invisible
Web;
- Personalized
Alert Services;
- Finding
and
using experts and allies;
- Cybersources
-
identifying, assessing, and recruiting online sources;
- how to
research
hard targets;
- Elicitation
-
the art of inducing someone to
talk (or email); and
- active vs
passive use of the Net and the implications.
|
|
5
|
Commercial
Databases
(C.MacLennan)
|
An
introduction to
commercial databases. Includes free
access to a major commercial database (a $500 value).
- Characteristics
- a comparison to Internet sources
- Commercial
Online Vendors - a quick review of some of the best
- Commercial
Online Sources - the major players
Includes an exercise worth 10%
of the final course mark. |
| "Profile"
assignment
due (worth 40%
of the final course mark). |
|
6
|
Privacy
& Security
(J. Pyrik)
|
How
to remain anonymous on the Web.
- the
tattletale computer;
- how
to avoid losing your privacy online;
- the
perils of e-commerce; and
- Net-proofing
for kids.
Includes
an exercise worth 10%
of the final course mark. |
|
7
|
Internet
Tools
(J. Pyrik) |
A
survey of software utilities which can enhance use of the Internet.
Includes:
- how
to optimize your computer for Internet searching;
- utilities
for power searching;
- how
to preserve websites; and
- an
introduction to the field of computer forensics.
Includes
an exercise worth 10%
of the final course mark. |
|
8
|
Cyberskepticism
(J. Pyrik) |
Assessing
reliability on the Net.
- How to be
a
cyberskeptic
- Media
Analysis -
How to Use the News
- Propaganda
red
flags
- Statement
Analysis - Finding signs of deception and evasion
Includes an exercise worth 10%
of the final course mark. |
|
9
|
Analysis
(J. Pyrik) |
Filling in
the
missing pieces of the puzzle, including
identifying the author of anonymous e-mail.
- Tracing
Websites
and Email
- Money
Laundering
Investigation
- Whodunit
Auto
Theft Exercise
- Link
Diagrams
- Competitive
Intelligence Analytical Techniques
- E-mail
Profiling
Includes an exercise worth 10%
of the final course mark. |
|
10
|
Cybercrime
(R. Gardner)
|
How criminals
and
the police are using the Internet.
- A
Criminological
Perspective
- Common
Misconceptions
- Cyber
Criminals
And Their Victims
- Cybercrime
Typologies
- CyberHate:
A
Case Study
- Investigators
And Investigations
- Assignment
-The
Fantasy Defense
Includes an exercise worth 10%
of the final course mark. |
|
|
