Tools to Identify Anonymous Users Online
After posting 5 Free Ways to Track Online Leaks of Information, I received numerous requests asking how to identify the online source leaking the confidential company information. Here are some techniques a corporate investigator can use to identify anonymous users online.
If the user is unreachable by email, you can also create your own simple webpage using one of the millions of free webpage accounts online and a free basic counter that collects user information, such as StatCounter.com. Simply paste the link on the insider's message board and let users click it. Stat Counter will then collect IP information, one of which could be your insider surfing while at work.
These tricks are great if you can identify the user with the IP address, but sometimes the address comes back to a personal ISP, or the user actually is using a proxy or TOR, so you're at square one. In those cases a little social engineering is needed to convince the user to post or send you a document, pdf or any other file that has hidden metadata. Opening the file and looking at the properties may give you the author's name, employee ID or that one clue that will identify them. The key is to be creative and get the insider to show you a glimpse of who they are. One piece of information can take them tumbling down and close your investigation.
-Brandon Gregg is a corporate investigations manager.
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