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Shodan
Freemium
Shodan is a powerful search engine that, unlike Google or Bing, doesn't crawl the web for websites. Instead, it explores the internet for devices, offering security professionals unparalleled insights into the connected world. Often referred to as the "search engine for hackers," Shodan allows you to discover and analyze everything from webcams and routers to industrial control systems and servers. By gathering service banners, which contain metadata about the software running on a server, Shodan provides a wealth of information that can be used for both offensive and defensive security purposes. Learn more about Shodan.
Key Features
Device Discovery: Uncover internet-connected devices across the globe, filtered by type, location, and organization.
Vulnerability Identification: Identify devices with known vulnerabilities or misconfigurations.
Network Monitoring (Shodan Monitor): Proactively monitor your network and receive real-time alerts for unauthorized devices or changes.
Data Export: Export Shodan data for further analysis and integration with other security tools.
API Access: Integrate Shodan's data and functionality into your custom scripts and applications.
Chrome Extension: Quickly access Shodan data about the website you're visiting directly in your browser. The Shodan Chrome plugin reveals information like geographic location, ownership and open ports and services.
Use Cases or Applications
Shodan has a wide range of applications for security professionals:
Vulnerability Management: Identify vulnerable devices on your network or across the internet to prioritize patching efforts.
Threat Intelligence: Discover emerging threats and understand the global threat landscape by analyzing Shodan data.
Penetration Testing: Gather information about target systems to aid in penetration testing engagements.
Network Security Monitoring (Shodan Monitor): Using Shodan Monitor, receive real-time alerts when unexpected or unauthorized devices appear on the network, allowing for immediate response to potential security threats. This proactive approach can quickly alert you to rogue devices added to the network without authorization, misconfigured devices with open ports, or vulnerable/outdated systems in need of patching.
IoT Security: Assess the security posture of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and identify potential risks.
Compliance: Ensure compliance with security regulations by identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities in your infrastructure.
What is Unique About Shodan?
Shodan's unique approach lies in its focus on directly interrogating devices rather than indexing web pages. This allows it to uncover a different layer of information about the internet, revealing the underlying infrastructure that powers the web. Shodan gathers "service banners," which are metadata responses from servers revealing details about their software, versions, and configurations. This pre-interaction data collection gives users a distinct advantage in identifying vulnerabilities and misconfigurations. Shodan's unique products can help you.
Who Should Use Shodan?
Security Professionals: Penetration testers, vulnerability analysts, and security engineers can use Shodan to identify and assess security risks.
Network Administrators: Monitor network infrastructure and identify unauthorized devices or misconfigurations.
Researchers: Explore the internet landscape, discover new vulnerabilities, and gain insights into security trends.
Law Enforcement: Investigate cybercrime and track down malicious actors.
IT Professionals: Verify and validate the security posture of systems and infrastructure components. If you are a security professional, consider using Shodan.
Supported Platforms & Installation
Shodan is primarily a web-based service, accessible through any modern web browser. It also offers a command-line interface (CLI) for interacting with the service programmatically. Check out the Shodan basics.
How to Get Shodan:
Visit the Shodan Website: Go to shodan.io.
Create an Account: Sign up for a free account or choose a paid subscription plan.
Start Searching: Use Shodan's search filters to find specific devices or vulnerabilities. Learn how to use Shodan.
Install the CLI (Optional): Follow the instructions on the Shodan website to install the CLI for command-line access.
Shodan Chrome Plugin: Install the Shodan Chrome plugin from the Chrome web store to quickly view Shodan data of a given website.
Microsoft Security Copilot: Shodan plugins can be used within Microsoft Security Copilot using the "Shodan InternetDB" (no Shodan membership required) and the "Shodan" plugin (Shodan membership and API Key is required).
Pricing
Shodan offers various subscription plans to meet different needs. The basic plan is free and offers limited search results. Paid plans provide access to more data, advanced features, and API access. Pricing varies based on the features and usage limits. Refer to the Shodan pricing page for detailed information on the available plans and their costs. Keep in mind that while the Shodan InternetDB plugin is available within Microsoft Security Copilot for users without a Shodan membership, the full "Shodan" plugin requires a Shodan membership and an API key. Discover more with Shodan.
Short Summary
Shodan is a powerful and versatile search engine for internet-connected devices that provides security professionals with valuable insights into the global threat landscape. Its ability to discover vulnerabilities, monitor networks, and gather threat intelligence makes it an essential tool for proactive security management. While Shodan's power can be harnessed for good, it is important to use it responsibly and ethically, respecting the privacy and security of others. Remember to use Shodan only on systems you own or have explicit permission to assess, as unauthorized scanning can be illegal. With proper usage, Shodan can be a significant asset in improving your organization's security posture and protecting against cyber threats.
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Shodan
Freemium
April 16, 2025
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ZoomEye is a sophisticated cyberspace search engine that allows security professionals to discover and analyze network devices, services, and vulnerabilities across the internet, featuring powerful search capabilities and AI integration.
WiGLE (Wireless Geographic Logging Engine) is a comprehensive platform for collecting and mapping wireless network data, offering crucial insights into network security and infrastructure since 2001.
The Wayback Machine is a digital archive allowing users to explore historical versions of websites, with over 916 billion web pages archived. This free tool enables time travel through the internet's past.
Vulners is a comprehensive vulnerability intelligence platform that combines AI-powered analysis, real-time exploit tracking, and social media monitoring to help security professionals identify, assess, and remediate cyber threats effectively.
