Gralhix OSINT Excercise #013
The Unsolvable Exercise and What Three Words
Introduction
In an unlucky turn of events, OSINT Exercise 013 is no longer solvable due to recent changes made by Google. However, the exercise’s solution highlighted an interesting geocoding system that OSINT investigators should be aware of. Let’s explore this system and its potential applications in OSINT work.
The Curious Location Format
The exercise image featured Gralhix’s Twitter bio, which contained an unusual location format: ///regard.diggers.edges
This odd format refers to a geocoding system called What Three Words.
Personal Reflection
I’ll admit, even before the Google changes rendered this exercise unsolvable, I would have been unlikely to crack this challenge on my own. The What Three Words system was entirely new to me, and without Gralhix’s hint about its significance in the UK, I doubt I would have found the connection. This reminds us that in OSINT work, there’s always something new to learn, and sometimes the most unexpected pieces of information can lead to significant discoveries.
What Three Words: A Brief Overview
What Three Words is a geocoding system that divides the globe into over 57 trillion 3x3 meter plots, assigning each a unique combination of three words. This system aims to make location sharing precise, easy to communicate, and easy to remember.
In the context of our exercise, entering regard.diggers.edges on the What Three Words website would have led participants to Sofia, Bulgaria - a clever nod to Gralhix's “name”, Sofia Santos.
Relevance to OSINT Investigations
Knowledge of geocoding systems like What Three Words can be valuable for OSINT investigators:
- It could be used as shorthand for rendezvous points in communications.
- Such systems might appear in social media posts or direct messages for coordination purposes
3. The App has gotten some adoption from government authorities:
Conclusion
While Exercise 013 may no longer be solvable, it serves as a reminder of the ever-changing landscape of online information and the importance of staying updated on various systems and tools that can aid in OSINT investigations.
As investigators, we must always be ready to adapt our methods and expand our knowledge base to keep up with new technologies and practices that may be used in the digital world.
Acknowledgments
Thanks to Gralhix for creating these thought-provoking and sometimes humorous exercises and for highlighting interesting tools and techniques. You can find more of her excellent OSINT challenges on her website.
