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Stream/Area:
-
Subject:
-
Paper ID:
IJSREM64530
Volume:
10 |
6 |
Jun 2026
Pages:
1-6
Publication Frequency:
Monthly (12 issues per year)
License:International Journal of Scientific Research in Engineering and Management follows the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) License, allowing free use and distribution with proper attribution.
Masters Of Computer Applications
GIET ENGINEERING COLLEGE (A)
Masters Of Computer Applications
GIET ENGINEERING COLLEGE (A)
In today's digital world, people use various online platforms such as social media, websites, mobile applications, online banking services, and e-commerce platforms in their daily lives. While these services provide convenience and connectivity, they also create a digital footprint that contains valuable personal information. Many users are unaware of how much of their information is available online and whether their data has been exposed through cyberattacks or data breaches. To address this issue, this project presents ShadowTrace, a web-based cybersecurity application designed to help users understand and evaluate their digital footprint. The system uses Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) techniques to collect publicly available information related to a user's email address or phone number. Before accessing the system, users are securely authenticated using One-Time Password (OTP) verification through email or mobile number. After successful authentication, the application analyzes publicly available information from trusted sources and breach-monitoring services. The collected data is examined to identify security incidents, exposed credentials, and potential vulnerabilities associated with the user's online identity. Based on the findings, the system calculates a risk score and categorizes the user's exposure level as Low, Medium, or High. The application also generates a detailed report containing exposure details, affected platforms, risk level, and security recommendations. These recommendations help users improve their online safety by adopting better cybersecurity practices. Through its simple interface and practical analysis, ShadowTrace promotes cybersecurity awareness and helps individuals take proactive measures to protect their digital presence.
KEYWORDS
hadowTrace is a user-focused cybersecurity application developed to help individuals understand and analyze their digital footprint. The system combines secure OTP-based authentication, OSINT-based data collection, exposure analysis, risk assessment, and report generation into a single platform. By collecting publicly available information and identifying data breaches associated with a user's email address or phone number, the application provides valuable insights into potential cybersecurity risks. The project successfully demonstrates how OSINT techniques can be used to improve cybersecurity awareness among users. The generated reports help users understand their exposure level and provide practical recommendations to strengthen their online security. Through its simple and user-friendly interface, ShadowTrace makes cybersecurity information more accessible even to non-technical users. Overall, the system achieves its objective of helping users identify security risks, understand their digital presence, and take appropriate preventive measures. It serves as an effective tool for promoting cybersecurity awareness and encouraging safer online practices.
[3] OWASP Foundation, “OWASP Web Security Testing Guide,” Available: https://owasp.org, Accessed: May 2026. [4] M. Bazzell, Open Source Intelligence Techniques: Resources for Searching and Analyzing Online Information, 10th ed. New York, NY, USA: Intel Techniques Press, 2023. [5] European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), “Cybersecurity Awareness and Education Initiatives,” Available: https://www.enisa.europa.eu, Accessed: May 2026. [6] Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), “Cybersecurity Resources and Best Practices,” Available: https://www.cisa.gov, Accessed: May 2026. [7] W. Stallings, Network Security Essentials: Applications and Standards, 7th ed. Boston, MA, USA: Pearson, 2017. [8] M. Bishop, Computer Security: Art and Science, 2nd ed. Boston, MA, USA: Addison-Wesley, 2018.
Publication Date
6/5/2026
Peer Review Type
Double-Blind Peer Review
Review Rounds: 2
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Conflict of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest related to this research work.
Funding Information
No funding information available for this research.
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