Sherlock
Sherlock checks whether a username exists across hundreds of social networks and websites.
Legal & ethical use. Do not use OSINT tools to stalk or harass; investigate only subjects you have a legitimate and lawful reason to research. Use this tool only on systems, networks and data that you own or have explicit written permission to test. Unauthorised access or scanning can break computer-misuse laws (for example Pakistan's Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, and equivalents elsewhere). Practise in your own lab or in authorised environments such as CTFs.
What it is used for
- Check where your own handle appears online
- Learn username-correlation OSINT in CTF exercises with synthetic data
Key features
- Searches many sites in parallel
- CSV/text output
- Proxy and timeout options
Installation
Install with pipx/pip or from the repository (see its README).
Beginner usage guide
Search only for usernames you own or that are provided in an exercise; results are leads that need manual verification.
Example commands
Run these only against your own lab or authorised targets. Placeholder addresses such as 192.0.2.x are documentation ranges.
Check a username
sherlock your_usernameLists sites where that username appears to exist.
Keep learning
🚩 Practice challenge: Who Posted This? easy
References
Source verification
Last reviewed: 2026-10-27
Links checked over HTTP: 2026-10-27 07:51 UTC — official: 200, docs: 200, repo: 200
Commands were written from the official documentation and have not been executed on this site; test them in your lab.