How to Find Information on People Using the Internet

by DarX

Have you ever tried finding information on someone through the Internet?

Whether it be for revenge (cyberattack on a personal webspace of some sort), or to see how much information you are putting out on the Internet, knowing your way around is very important.

First, let's analyze who can be easily (and I mean very easily) found on the Internet.  Information on someone will be abundant if the person:

• Uses their real, full name on the Internet to identify themselves.
• Publishes documents and/or scientific papers under their name.
• Posts their information on several different sites (forums, blogs, etc).
• They're famous - duh.

If you have a name:

• Look for a Facebook or MySpace page.  If they have one, create a dummy account as the opposite sex with a good looking picture and attempt to get them to add you as a friend.  Use excuses like, "I was just profile jumping and thought you were cute."  Use your imagination, because being an accepted friend can lead to a ton of information.  If you can't get to them directly, see if you can add one of their friends.  They are more likely to accept you with a common friend.
• Google the name and see if they have posted in any forums/blogs under their own name.  From here, you might be able to get an e-mail address and, if you integrate yourself into the forum/blog, you'll be able to post a little, gain some reputation, and maybe add them on an instant messaging application or begin exchanging e-mails.
• Do a Whitepages search online.  This will turn up an address and usually a telephone number.
• If the person has committed an offense, you might be able to find them through: www.familywatchdog.us/ShowNameList.asp

If you have a phone number:

• Doing a reverse phone lookup online, you'll be able to get the location of the person and which cell phone provider they use.  Most cell phone companies will not release the name or any other information on the person in question, so this will only give you the location.
• You can also simply try Googling their phone number to see if it comes up in any cell phone directories.  There are services that charge a fee, but that will pull a significant amount of information from private databases.  This might be an option if you want to spend the cash.
• Call it!  If you can find a reason to call (random city survey, etc), and they decide to talk, you can get a lot of information out of them.

If they have a website or blog:

• Any domain name must be registered to a person or company.  Some people are smart and register anonymously, others, however, use their full contact information.  Try a WHOIS (www.whois.net) and see if their information is listed.
• If they have a personal blog, chances are they mention their name and some other contact info as well.

If you have their e-mail address:

• An amazing e-mail lookup service is Spokeo (www.spokeo.com/email).  Simply enter their e-mail and you can find a ton of information on them, including IP addresses.

Using combinations of these, and your own intelligence, I'm sure you'll be able to make a full portfolio about anyone you can think of.

I'm thinking of making another article on how to leave absolutely no traces of who you are on the Internet.  That will come soon.

Until then, have fun and don't forget to visit my blog at f33r.com  Out.