Internet Investigations – Level I

Course Description

In this self paced online course participants will develop competent investigative strategies for conducting basic to intermediate internet investigations. Each unit is designed to build upon the last giving the student a "step by step" how to investigate online. There are many short scenarios and exercises that help to reinforce the material learnt in each unit.

If this is taken as an increment course it is worth 1 point.

When Offered

  • Online
  • Course length: 8 weeks / 35 hours

Current 2025 course offerings:

  • January 6, 2025 – March 3, 2025
  • March 3, 2025 – April 28, 2025
  • May 5, 2025 – June 30, 2025
  • September 2, 2025 – October 27, 2025
  • October 27, 2025 – December 22, 2025

Who Should Take This Course

Investigators who are new to online investigations or uncertain as to where to begin their training.

Prerequisite

A desire to learn about the Internet and social media investigations.

Course Goals

Upon the successful completion of this program students will be able to competently data mine the surface web in order to gather information on individuals, groups and events in order to further their investigation(s).

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

  • Demonstrate, through open source, how to conduct an investigation on an individual, group or event;
  • Explain how the Internet works and some of the legal issues to consider when going online;
  • State the importance of how to capture online information;
  • Avoid counter-surveillance;
  • Execute how to properly set up, use, and understand the Chrome Web browsers;
  • List the capabilities of the Chrome Web browsers;
  • Demonstrate how to manipulate Google searches through Google specific search terms.
  • Explain the issues surrounding online covert accounts

Text & Resource Material

Students will require the following:

  • Laptop or desktop that uses either the Windows, MAC or Linux operating system,
  • The Chrome web browser,
  • Unrestricted Internet access,
  • Students will be supplied with an eManual.

Course Evaluation

  • Specific course evaluation information will be provided by the instructor at the start of the course.
  • Most courses have short quizzes at the end of each unit and a "final scenario" at the end of the course.
  • Typically, most of the courses are either a P/F or, require the student to finish the course with a 70% average.

Cost

The course price is listed for each college:

 

Module 1 Internet Investigations Level I
Unit 1 Copyright  
Unit 2 Resources  
Unit 3 Welcome!  
Unit 4 Prologue  
Unit 5 Background  
Unit 6 How the Internet Works  
Unit 7 Legal Thoughts  
Unit 8 Chrome & Firefox  
Unit 9 Firefox Add-ons and Chrome Extensions  
Unit 10 Capture and Save  
Unit 11 Counter Surveillance  
Unit 12 Hiding In Plain Sight - Proxies  
Unit 13 Sock Puppets  
Unit 14 All Things Google  
Unit 15 Even More Google  
Unit 16 Google Hacks  
Unit 17 Open Source Searching  
Unit 18 Skype  
Unit 19 LinkedIn  
Unit 20 Reddit  
Unit 21 Online Sources  
Unit 22 Internet Hoaxes, Phishing and Misdirection  
Unit 23 Monitoring Web Sites and Other Alerts  
Unit 24 Final Scenarios  
Unit 25 Final Scenario II - Extremists  
Unit 26 Conclusion - Level I