Research method↗
5 steps
Scope → collect → verify
Independent project
GX
Fieldnotes / workspace 001
Good research starts with a better question.
OSINT methods, Linux basics and official investigation resources — organised into focused workspaces, not one long page.
OSINT resources⌕
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Curated public-source tools
Linux notes$_
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Inspect, identify, compare
Research drafts☷
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Generated locally in this session
Jump into a workspace
Choose a focused view. Each opens without a long scroll.
Principles, not shortcuts
Small habits improve every investigation.
Start from primary sourcesFind the original publication, not a repost.
SourceCorroborate independentlyRepeated claims are not always new evidence.
VerifyRecord uncertaintySeparate facts, inferences and unknowns.
MethodScope matters. Use public information responsibly, respect privacy and assess only systems you own or are authorised to review.
Research / 01
OSINT Desk
Public-source research, image verification, archives and mapping. Start with a clear question and record how each finding was obtained.
Curated tool index
Search the list by tool, source type or purpose.
Bellingcat Toolkit
Curated resources for geolocation, image and video verification, archiving and social-source research.
Open toolkit ↗OSINT Framework
A branching index of public-source utilities. Review each service's scope and terms before use.
Browse framework ↗Internet Archive
Compare archived versions of public pages. Captures may be incomplete or not reflect the exact date a change occurred.
Search snapshots ↗Google Lens
Find visually similar images and possible earlier appearances. Verify the original source and context separately.
Open Lens ↗OpenStreetMap
Collaborative geographic data for map context. Completeness and accuracy vary by location.
Open map ↗Search with intent
Use exact phrases, dates and official domains to narrow a query. Search results are leads, not confirmation.
Open search ↗6 resources. Third-party links are provided for research; listing is not endorsement.
Five-step verification workflow
Save this method01
Scope
Define the question, timeframe and limits before searching.
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Collect
Find original pages, official records and published data.
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Corroborate
Seek independent evidence rather than copied claims.
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Document
Record URLs, dates, context and useful excerpts.
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Qualify
Separate confirmed facts, inference and unknowns.
Systems / 02
Linux Workbench
Practical, low-risk shell examples for identifying files, checking system details and recording file fingerprints.
Command library
Select a command to inspect its purpose.
System information
Shows kernel and basic system details.
Identify file type
Reports the type inferred from file contents.
Calculate SHA-256
Creates a fingerprint that can be compared with a known hash.
Check a download checksum
Compare a local hash with the publisher's official checksum.
Example terminalREAD-ONLY EXAMPLES
$ sha256sum sample.pdf# Calculate a local file hash
$ file sample.pdf# Identify the detected file type
$ uname -a# Print system/kernel information
A hash helps compare file identity; it does not tell you whether a file is safe. Use commands on files you own or are authorised to inspect. Don't run unknown scripts with elevated privileges.
Official sources / 03
FBI & Public Records
Start from official U.S. government publications for cyber safety, public wanted listings and reporting channels.
Cyber wanted listings
Publicly published information about people sought in connection with cyber-related cases. Read the notice and any linked case documents in full.
Open FBI listing ↗FBI online safety
Public guidance and information intended to help people recognise online risks and report relevant concerns.
Read guidance ↗Internet Crime Complaint Center
The official FBI-linked channel for reporting suspected internet crime in the United States. Reporting procedures depend on the incident and jurisdiction.
Open IC3 ↗FBI Tips
Official public tip-submission resource. This GEXX page is only an informational link and does not send anything to the FBI.
Open FBI Tips ↗How to read an agency notice
Record publication date, agency, case identifier and the original statement. An allegation in a notice should not be presented as a conviction.
Open research planner ↗Keep it lawful and proportionate
Use public information for a clear purpose. Do not impersonate officials, intrude into accounts, harass people or publish private personal data.
GEXX principles ↗Outside the United States? Use the appropriate national or local reporting channel. In an emergency, contact local emergency services; a web form is not an emergency response service.
Personal desk / 04
Research Planner
Define a question and generate a focused checklist. It runs locally in your browser; notes are not uploaded or saved automatically.
New field note
Keep the scope narrow and clear.
Privacy: This page has no form endpoint. The planner generates visible notes in your current browser session.
Your checklist
Tick items as you complete your research.
Ready for your research question.
Training / 05
Knowledge Check
Three short questions about source verification, hashes and public records. Feedback explains the reasoning behind each answer.
Field skill / source literacy
Less assumption. Better evidence.
Tools can speed up research, but they cannot replace a clear question, source criticism and good documentation.
Scoring: Your points exist only while this page is open. This quiz does not track you.
QUESTION 01 / 03
Two websites repeat the same claim. Does that prove it?
Choose an answer to see the reasoning.
SCORE: 0
About / 06
GEXX Fieldnotes
A personal learning workspace for open-source research, Linux and digital investigation methods. Designed for useful notes, reproducible steps and clear boundaries.
Principle 01
Evidence over aesthetics.
Tools are useful only when the result can be explained. This project promotes source checks, context, careful wording and awareness of uncertainty.
Principle 02
Curiosity with boundaries.
Research public information for a legitimate purpose. Respect privacy, avoid intrusive profiling and use security tools only on systems or data you own or are authorised to assess.
Independence
Not an official agency portal.
GEXX is not affiliated with the FBI, a government agency or the organisations linked here. External references are provided to help users reach primary information.
Privacy
Local by default.
Research Planner notes and quiz answers are not sent to a server by this static page and are not persisted automatically.