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Google Dorking, also called Google hacking, is a method that uses the Google search engine to access information that would not normally be accessible by regular searches. With specific search operators, anyone can dig deeper into web data, usually finding hidden files, passwords, sensitive data, or system vulnerabilities. While helpful, Google Dorking is also used by hackers to find private information.What is Google Dorking?
How Does Google Dorking Work?
Google Dorking works using advanced search operators, or commands. As opposed to usually searching with words or phrases like when you search on Google, Google Dorking is about specific keywords as per your need that actually help you communicate exactly the information you are seeking over at Google. By using these operators, it is possible to find very specific information that might not come up in normal searches.
Advantages:Google Dorking Advantages and Disadvantages
- Accessibility of Valuable Information: One can use it to search for files, tutorials, etc., that are not easily accessed.
- More Accurate Outcome: Google Dorking can pinpoint information, such as finding all PDF reports at a particular site.
- Beneficial to Security Experts: It has proven useful for security experts in finding vulnerable files or pages on their own site.
Disadvantages:
- Exposure of Private Data: Inadvertent exposure of sensitive data may occur through improper storage or protection over the internet.
- Cybercrime Hacking: They use it to find weaknesses in a website or even access private files such as login credentials.
- Legal Issues: Google Dorking techniques applied in accessing restricted information might be considered illegal.
Google Dorking is widely utilized by cyber experts to identify vulnerabilities on sites. For example, if they find exposed databases or sensitive information like passwords or server details, then they can warn the organization about the security threat. However, hackers also benefit from this data using these techniques, and hence cybersecurity teams use Google Dorking to stay one step ahead of attackers and keep systems secure.Applications in Cyber Security
Different Techniques of Google Dorking
Here is a list of some methods one can perform with Google Dorking amongst the many available techniques:
- Search login pages: by using inurl:login keyword where it will try to get login pages that my be publicly accessible.
- Detect sensitive files: Commands like filetype:xls combined with terms like password to locate files that may contain sensitive data.
- Identifying vulnerability sites: inurl: admin, to check for websites with accessible administrative pages.
- Identifying Open Cameras or Networks: Some Dorks can identify internet-enabled security cameras or networks without passwords. They can do this with the aid of keywords, such as intitle: webcam XP.
If you wanna further explore some of the most popular list of commands used in Google Dorking I will be attaching some images for it at the end. Make sure to give it a read.
To reduce the exploitation of Google Dorking, organizations employ few very important actions to take like:Safety Measures to Prevent Google Dorking Attacks
- Protecting sensitive information by placing sensitive information in secure databases and encrypt that information.
- Blocking Private Pages from Google Crawlers: Utilize robots.txt on sites to block Google from accessing private pages that contain confidential information.
- Regular Scans for Weaknesses: Regular scans of the website should ensure that no sensitive information has been leaked.
- Educate Staff: Educate your staff with proper cybersecurity measures so that they do not upload confidential files.
- Ensure Software Update: Ensure updates on all systems and softwares so that known vulnerability is not present.
That’s all for today, I hope you enjoyed it. Did you knew about Google Dorking before? If yes, then share the most useful use case you feel about Google Dorking in the comments below.
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Bye Guys
Signing off
Jai
