What is Google Dorking?

Google Dorking, also known as Google hacking, is a technique used by hackers that uses advanced search queries to find sensitive information on websites using Google’s search engine. This technique makes use of specific search commands, when entered into Google search bar, uncovers hidden parts of websites. 

When Google moves around the web to index pages for its search engine, it can reveal the parts of websites that a normal internet user cannot. This helps to know about some of the hidden data of organizations, companies and website owners, that they may not want you to see. An example of an advanced search query is the use of quotation marks. With the use of quotation marks while searching, it provides you with a list of results that includes web pages where the complete phrase is used, instead of some combination of individual words you have entered into the search field.

What is the Function of Google Dork?

The typical use of Google dork is to find hidden information which is inaccessible through a normal search. Google dorks helps to reveal sensitive or personal information about websites, companies, organizations and individuals that own and operate them.

Google dork helps the malicious attackers to gather information of their targets before initiating an attack. It is also used to find websites consisting of certain flaws, vulnerabilities and sensitive information that can be exploited. Security companies use Google dork to get a better understanding of the intentions of hackers, who might approach hacking into systems. Most companies might use Google dorks to find information that can be leveraged in SEO and performance marketing strategies. 

The primary use of Google dork is to gather information, along with this, Dorking may grant access to servers, cameras, and files. They are used to access all webcams in a given area and phone applications. Google dork is used to uncover files of failed login attempts, including usernames and passwords. 

How Google is Hacked?

There is no need for any hacking code to hack Google. Instead, Google can be hacked easily through the use of simple search commands. If you make a combination of Dorking and social engineering, you uncover a lot of information that could be used to perform identity theft. Therefore, it is important to understand how Google database hacking works to understand your own digital identity and secure your online identity. 

Is Google Dorking Illegal?

Google Dorking is completely a legal procedure, rather it is a different form of searching information around the web. Google was made to handle advanced searches and banning this function would limit the access to information. But, Google dorks can be called illegal, if they are used for stealthy access to someone’s device, or log into someone else’s account or access or download protected files or documents. Simply searching an information does not make it illegal, but if used for malicious purposes, it can be called so.

Common Search Filters and Commands

Google Dorking makes use of advanced search operations in Google to search for specific keywords, file types or website parameters. Here, we have listed some of the common Google Dorking commands, to get a better idea of how Google dork works. You may use it in your daily search-engine for searching unrevealed information.

• Intitle- Using “intitle:” asks Google to search only for pages with that specific text in their HTML pages titles. For example, intitle:”keyword”
• Site- Using “site:” as a search command, you will be able to see results only from the specific website mentioned. For example, site:”www.drop.org.in”
• Inurl- Using “inurl:” will search only for pages with that specific text in their URL. For example, inurl:”keyword”
• Intext- Using “intext:” searches for the occurrences of keywords all at once or one at a time. For example, intext:”keyword”
• Filetype or ext- Using “filetype:” or “ext” will narrow your search to the specific file type mentioned. For example, filetype:”pdf”
• Link- Using “link:” searches for external links to pages. For example, link:”keyword”
• Cache- Using “cache:” shows the version of the webpage that Google has in its cache. For example, cache:”www.drop.org.in”

These are some of the dorks which are generally used more as compared to other commands. The Google Dorking list is not only limited to the given one, you can mix and match these Google dork commands depending on information you want to know.  

Prevention from Google Dorking

We can now evidence the kind of power Google dorks hold, and must know how to protect against someone using information revealed through Google Dorking against you. We can proactively strengthen your internet security to protect your personal data from potential consequences of Dorking, such as phishing attacks.

Below listed are some of the best ways to protect yourself against Google Dorking:

• Set strong and unique passwords, and 2FA, for all your digital accounts. This will highly reduce the risk of someone breaking into your accounts with information revealed through Google hack.
• Perform vulnerability scans on your device and if you manage a website or a digital infrastructure, run penetration tests regularly to ensure about the prevailing weaknesses.
• Run a Google dork on yourself to inspect the kind of information available about you.
• You can tell search engines not to index specific web pages or directories on your website using a robots.txt.file. This way, you will be able to stop attackers from discovering weak points on your website.
• Use a Web Application Firewall to increase the security of your website. This adds an extra layer of security to your confidential information.

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