Overview

A compelling, first-hand account of the dark web, from its underground ecosystem, to the people responsible for committing data breaches and leaking data, 21st century's most consequential data breaches, the responses to those attacks, and the impact of dark web data and intelligence gathering and can have in the defense and security of our nation. In Grey Area, veteran hacker and cybersecurity investigations expert Vinny Troia offers an unfiltered, first-person look into the evolving relationship between open-source intelligence (OSINT) and the dark web data ecosystem. Drawing from years of hands-on experience in digital forensics, dark web investigations, and adversarial engagement, Troia explores how publicly available and commercially available information—PAI and CAI—are rapidly becoming the backbone of modern intelligence operations, and how a human intelligence network of known cyber criminals helped identify and stop one of the largest data breaches in known history. This book examines the legal, operational, and ethical dimensions of collecting and exploiting data from the darkest corners of the internet, including leaked databases, breached credentials, and hidden criminal networks. It breaks down how to discover, process, validate, and operationalize this data in real-world contexts—from attribution and threat actor profiling to national security use cases. You'll explore the evolution of OSINT within the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community through exclusive, first-hand accounts from senior officials who helped define its path. You'll also learn how AI and automation tools are being used to validate data at scale, detect disinformation, and supercharge open-source investigations. The book also covers how data is stolen and what happens to it after the theft. Through his direct account as Reddington, Troia provides actual unedited conversations with the cyber criminals responsible for a hack targeting more than 160 companies, including his own interactions leading to the hack, the extortion negotiation and responses with each of the effected organizations, and how the hackers were ultimately brought to justice. From discussions of the legal grey areas of data collection, ransom negotiations, and a first-hand perspectives of his interaction with well-known hackers, Grey Area is a compelling and honest account of the realities of the dark web, data theft, and ways in which the intelligence community should be leveraging these methods to help strengthen our national security. Inside the book: Blow-by-blow accounts of one of the largest data breaches in recorded history Interviews and commentary from high level officials at the CIA, ODNI, DIA, and DOD. Informed, insightful commentary on how cybersecurity professionals are using dark web open-source intelligence to strengthen national security, and our country's defenses against hackers and foreign adversaries. Revealing interviews with experienced hackers who explain a variety of approaches, philosophies, and strategies for combatting and recovering from data breaches Grey Area is essential reading for cybersecurity professionals, intelligence analysts, investigators, and policy leaders navigating the complex intersection of dark web data, national security, and open-source intelligence. Through real-world case studies and insider accounts, it delivers actionable insight into the future of data-driven investigations, threat attribution, and the expanding role of OSINT in modern intelligence operations.

Full Product Details

Author:   Vinny Troia
Publisher:   John Wiley & Sons Inc
Imprint:   John Wiley & Sons Inc
Dimensions:   Width: 18.80cm , Height: 2.80cm , Length: 23.10cm
Weight:   0.794kg
ISBN:  

9781394357277

ISBN 10:   1394357273
Pages:   448
Publication Date:   30 September 2025
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Forthcoming
Availability:   Awaiting stock  

Table of Contents

Foreword xix Introduction xxi What Does This Book Cover? xxi Introducing the Guest Experts xxiv Part I Underground Field Guide 1 Chapter 1 Where We Left Off 3 Where to Start? 3 Summary 10 Chapter 2 A Cybercrime Economy of Stolen Data 11 The Stolen Account Black Market 11 Infostealers 18 Stolen Account Markets 21 The Com aka Scattered Spider 25 Summary 28 Chapter 3 Dark Market Forums 29 Data Marketplaces 29 Verifying and Validating Your Data 41 Summary 46 Chapter 4 Publicly and Commercially Available Information 47 Defining PAI and CAI 48 Data Acquisition and Oversight 50 Open vs. Closed Networks 54 Dark Web Data 58 Please Secure Your Data 71 Summary 72 Part II Open-Source Intelligence 73 Chapter 5 OSINT 101 75 Open-Source Intelligence 77 The Battle for OSINT 82 A System Under Pressure: The 36-Star Memo 89 Funding and Governance 91 OSINT as a Core Discipline 94 Summary 96 Chapter 6 OSINT for National Security 97 A Strategic Shift Toward OSINT 98 Forward Momentum 101 OSINT’s Way Forward 108 Streamlining OSINT Efforts 111 Summary 116 Chapter 7 The Future of OSINT 117 Reimagining OSINT 119 A Path Forward 122 HPSCI OSINT Subcommittee 136 Summary 139 Chapter 8 Investigations 141 An OSINT Primer 142 Hunting Cyber Criminals: Cracked.io Edition 148 Summary 156 Chapter 9 OSINT for Human Trafficking 157 Child Sexual Abuse Material 158 Fighting Human Trafficking 161 Identifying ArtBBS 166 Searching for a Trafficked Child 171 Summary 174 Part III Working with Information 175 Chapter 10 Validation as Tradecraft 177 Disinformation 178 Data Validation 181 ETL Automation 195 Summary 196 Chapter 11 Dark Web Data Processing 197 Working with HBL Data 197 Cleaning CSV Files 201 Data Structure and Formatting 205 Processing Headers 213 Summary 220 Chapter 12 Data Loading and Extraction 221 ClickHouse 221 Aleph 239 Summary 242 Chapter 13 Data Analysis and AI 245 Asking Your First Question 246 Identifying Patterns (of Life) 249 Citations 261 Summary 264 Chapter 14 Gathering Human Intelligence 265 HUMINT 266 Crafting a Persona 277 Summary 290 Part IV Snowflake 291 Chapter 15 Setting the Stage 293 John Binns (aka irdev) 294 April 16, 2024 299 Connor Riley Moucka 306 Summary 310 Chapter 16 The First Few Victims 311 The Arrest Document 311 Victim-2 (Telecom) 312 Victim-5 (The Bank) 319 Victim-4 (Entertainment) 322 Summary 332 Chapter 17 Intrusion Analysis 333 Discovering Snowflake 333 Maintaining Persistent Access 339 EPAM and Initial Entry Point 346 Origin of the Stolen Credentials 355 Summary 360 Chapter 18 Breach Timelines and Disclosures 361 Victim Breach Timeline 362 June 28: Ticketek 380 Breach Disclosures 382 Summary 386 Chapter 19 Identifying Moucka 387 Catist’s Ego and Immaturity 388 Hunting Catist 392 Catist’s Arrest 395 Identifying Catist 397 Being Grey 400 Chapter 20 Epilogue 401 Loose Ends 401 Thank You! 402 Index 405

Reviews

Author Information

VINNY TROIA, PhD, is a lifelong hacker, ransomware negotiator, and dark web investigator. Troia’s deep knowledge of the cybercriminal underground has placed him at the center of numerous high-profile investigations. He is the CEO of Shadow Nexus, a firm that delivers dark web data and intelligence to national security organizations.

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Countries Available

All regions