What Is Google Dorking and How Hackers Use It to Hack Websites
Google dorking, sometimes called Google hacking, is a technique that hackers use to find vulnerable websites on the internet. It involves using advanced search operators that are built into Google’s search engine to find specific information that can be used to exploit vulnerabilities in a website’s security.
So, what is Google dorking, and how do hackers use it to break into websites?
Google dorking is the use of advanced search queries, such as inurl, intext, and filetype to search the internet for specific content. These queries are used to find files, directories, hidden pages, and other information that might be useful to hackers.
For example, searching for “inurl:/admin” will return a list of websites that have the word “admin” in their URL, which typically belongs to the administrative panel of a website. Similarly, searching for “filetype:sql” will return a list of websites that have SQL files, which are often used to store sensitive information such as user accounts and passwords.
Most websites are built on a common platform such as WordPress, Drupal, or Joomla, and many of them use the same CMS plugins, scripts, and themes. This makes it easier for hackers to find vulnerabilities in the code and exploit them to gain access to the website or its database.
Hackers often use Google dorking in combination with other hacking techniques such as phishing, social engineering, and brute-force attacks. Once they have found a vulnerable website, they may try to gain access to the admin panel, inject malicious code, or steal sensitive information.
Google dorking is a powerful tool that can be used for both good and bad purposes. On the one hand, it can help website owners to identify vulnerabilities in their sites and fix them before they are exploited by hackers. On the other hand, it can be used by criminals to steal sensitive information, distribute malware, or commit other cybercrimes.
To protect your website from Google dorking and other hacking techniques, you should follow best practices for web security, such as keeping your software up to date, using strong passwords, and implementing security measures such as firewalls and SSL certificates.
In conclusion, Google dorking is a powerful tool that hackers use to find vulnerable websites on the internet. By understanding how it works, you can take steps to protect your website from hackers and keep your sensitive information safe from prying eyes.