🔍 Understanding Dorks for Reconnaissance

Dorks are specialized search queries designed to uncover hidden, sensitive, or valuable information from various platforms such as Google, GitHub, Shodan, and Censys. They are powerful tools used in cybersecurity, bug bounty hunting, and OSINT (Open Source Intelligence).

1. Google Dorks

Google dorks leverage advanced Google search operators to find sensitive data, files, login portals, and vulnerabilities indexed by Google. These dorks help identify exposed information unintentionally made public.

2. GitHub Dorks

GitHub dorks focus on searching public repositories for leaked secrets such as API keys, passwords, and configuration files. Attackers and defenders both use GitHub dorks to identify exposed sensitive information in code.

3. Shodan Dorks

Shodan dorks query the Shodan search engine for internet-connected devices and services. These dorks help find exposed IoT devices, servers, databases, and vulnerable software versions based on banner data.

4. Censys Dorks

Censys dorks use the Censys search platform to discover hosts and services on the internet, including SSL certificates, open ports, and metadata. Censys dorks provide detailed technical insights useful for vulnerability research.

# Google Dorks Examples:
intitle:"index of" "admin"
filetype:env DB_PASSWORD
inurl:login.php

# GitHub Dorks Examples:
password filename:.env
apikey language:python
private key filename:id_rsa

# Shodan Dorks Examples:
port:22 country:"US"
product:"Apache" version:"2.4.1"
has_screenshot:true

# Censys Dorks Examples: "example.com"

Summary

Dorks are tailored search queries targeting specific data or vulnerabilities.
Each platform has unique syntax and focus — Google for web content, GitHub for code leaks, Shodan & Censys for internet-connected devices.
Using dorks effectively can reveal hidden attack surfaces or security weaknesses.
Always use dorks ethically and with permission when performing security assessments.

Mastering dorks is an essential skill for any cybersecurity researcher or bug bounty hunter! 🕵️‍♀️💻

Try the CMP-Dorker Tool

Use the embedded CMP-Dorker tool below to experiment with powerful dork queries across multiple platforms without leaving this page.