Analyzing Public Infrastructurewith Shodan

Safety Search

© Lead Image © Maksym Yemelyanov, 123RF.com

© Lead Image © Maksym Yemelyanov, 123RF.com

Article from Issue 303/2026
Author(s):

Every pen test begins with information gathering. Give yourself a head start with the Shodan search engine and its powerful toolkit.

Before exploiting a target, a pen tester needs to know something about how to get inside. Without this information, the exploiter has a slim chance of compromising the target, even if the target is vulnerable.

Information gathering isn't just important to pen testers; it is also essential for other industries. For instance, police often need to gather information on a network and its vulnerabilities before confirming that someone actually committed a crime.

In recent times, many tools have emerged to enable system administrators to determine whether their infrastructure is well-configured and not exposed to potential attack. One good example is Shodan.

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