Shodan is a powerful search engine that enables users to find specific types of computers connected to the internet using a variety of filters. Shodan search queries can reveal a vast amount of information about devices, including country, hostname, operating system, and vulnerabilities. Learning to construct effective queries is essential for cybersecurity professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Table of Contents
Getting Started with Shodan
To get started with Shodan, you’ll need to create an account on www.shodan.io. Once registered, you can access the platform from the web interface or by using the API. Familiarize yourself with the syntax and operators that Shodan allows in its search queries to make precise and tailored searches.
20 Shodan Search Queries Explained
Below are 20 Shodan search queries that illustrate the power and versatility of the search engine. Use these examples to understand how you can hunt for specific information in the vast data ocean of the internet.
1. Default Passwords
"default password"
This query searches for devices that are still using default passwords, a common security vulnerability.
2. Specific Product
"Apache/2.4.1"
Locate devices running a specific version of the Apache server.
3. Country Search
country:"US"
Find devices located in the United States.
4. Port Search
port:21
Retrieve information on devices with a particular port open, FTP in this example.
5. Webcam Search
"webcam"
Search for webcams connected to the internet.
6. Vulnerable Servers
"vulnerable"
Find servers with known vulnerabilities.
7. Operating System
"Windows XP"
Search for devices running on the Windows XP operating system.
8. Industrial Control Systems
"PLC"
Identify industrial control systems, such as Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs).
9. Organizational Search
org:"Google"
Find devices owned by a specific organization.
10. Geographic Location
geo:"37.751,-97.822"
Search devices based on geographic latitude and longitude coordinates.
11. Product Type
product:"Apache"
Search for all devices using a specific product.
12. City Search
city:"New York"
Focus the search on devices located in a particular city.
13. Service Version
version:"5.0"
Find services running a specific version number.
14. IoT Devices
"IoT"
Search for Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
15. HTTPS Certificate
has_ssl:true
Discover devices with HTTPS certificates.
16. Telnet Service
telnet
Look for devices with an open Telnet service.
17. Bitcoin Nodes
"Bitcoin"
Find nodes related to the Bitcoin network.
18. By Netblock
net:"210.214.0.0/16"
Search devices within a specific IP range or netblock.
19. Search for Routers
"router"
Identify internet-facing routers.
20. Expired SSL Certificates
ssl.cert.expired:true
Find devices with expired SSL certificates, indicating potential security risks.
Conclusive Summary
In conclusion, Shodan search queries are a potent tool for uncovering information about internet-connected devices. By understanding and utilizing the various operators and filters Shodan offers, you can extract targeted data to enhance your cybersecurity research and activities. Remember to use these queries responsibly and ethically.
