Google Dorking (or Google Hacking) involves using advanced search techniques and operators to uncover sensitive or hidden information that is not easily accessible through basic queries. This method leverages Google’s indexing power to find files, vulnerabilities, or private data unintentionally exposed online.

While Google Dorking is often used for legitimate purposes, such as penetration testing or research, malicious actors can exploit it to find security weaknesses.

How Does Google Dorking Work?

Google Dorking involves using advanced search operators in combination with keywords to narrow down and refine search results. These operators allow users to specify search criteria such as file types, URLs, or specific words within a page.

Familiar Search Operators in Google Dorking

Here are some widely used operators:

1. intitle:
   • Searches for pages with specific words in the title.
   • Example: intitle:"index of"
     Finds directories with “index of” in the title, often leading to open file directories.
2. inurl:
   • Searches for specific words in the URL.
   • Example: inurl:login
     Finds pages with “login” in the URL, potentially revealing login portals.
3. filetype:
   • Searches for specific file types.
   • Example: filetype:pdf confidential
     Finds PDFs containing the word “confidential.”
4. site:
   • Limits results to a specific domain.
   • Example: site:example.com
     Displays all indexed pages from example.com.
5. ext:
   • Similar to filetype:, but focuses on file extensions.
   • Example: ext:sql
     Finds SQL files that may contain sensitive database information.
6. cache:
   • Retrieves the cached version of a page stored by Google.
7. allintext: or intext:
   • Searches for specific text within the page’s content.
   • Example: allintext:username password
     Finds pages containing both “username” and “password.”
8. allintitle:
   • Searches for multiple words in the title.
   • Example: allintitle:admin panel
     Find pages with “admin panel” in the title.

Examples of Google Dorking

1. Finding exposed sensitive files
   filetype:xls site:example.com
   Searches for Excel files on a specific domain, which might contain sensitive data.
2. Identifying open directories
   intitle:"index of" inurl:/admin
   Find unprotected admin directories.
3. Discovering vulnerable webcams
   intitle:"Live View / - AXIS"
   Locates publicly accessible live webcams.
4. Exposing login pages
   inurl:admin login
   Find admin login portals.
5. Finding configuration files
   filetype:env intext:DB_PASSWORD
   Reveals exposed .env files containing database passwords.

Legitimate Uses of Google Dorking

1. Cybersecurity Audits
   • Penetration testers use Google Dorking to identify exposed or vulnerable systems.
2. Digital Forensics
   • Investigators may use it to locate evidence or track leaked information.
3. Research
   • Journalists or academics may find public information efficiently.
4. SEO Analysis
   • Website administrators can check how their site is indexed or identify duplicate content.

Risks and Ethical Considerations

While Google Dorking can be a valuable tool, it comes with significant risks:

• Legal Implications: Accessing sensitive or unauthorised information may violate laws (e.g., the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act).
• Unintentional Exposure: If not used carefully, it might reveal your intent or flag suspicious activity.

Preventing Google Dorking Exploits

Organisations can mitigate risks by:

1. Using Robots.txt: Restrict what Google can index.
2. Regular Security Audits: Check for exposed files or misconfigurations.
3. Restricting Directory Listings: Disable directory indexing on web servers.
4. Encrypting Sensitive Files: Use strong encryption and access controls.

Google offers a variety of search operators that allow users to refine and target their search queries more effectively. Here are some of the most valuable operators currently available:

【{“image_fetch”: “Google site search operator”}】 site:
Limits search results to a specific domain or website. For example, it site:example.com will show results only from that domain.

【{“image_fetch”: “Google intitle search operator”}】 intitle:
Finds pages with a specific word in the title. For instance, it intitle:"climate change" returns “climate change” pages in the title.

【{“image_fetch”: “Google inurl search operator”}】 inurl:
Searches for pages with a particular word in the URL. For example, inurl:blog find URLs containing the word “blog.”

【{“image_fetch”: “Google filetype search operator”}】 filetype:
Locates specific file types. For instance, you filetype:pdf will search for PDF files related to your query.

【{“image_fetch”: “Google cache search operator”}】 cache:
Displays Google’s cached version of a webpage. For example, it cache:example.com shows the cached page of that site.

【{“image_fetch”: “Google related search operator”}】 related:
Finds websites similar to the specified one. For instance, it related:example.com lists sites related to example.com.

【{“image_fetch”: “Google define search operator”}】 define:
Provides definitions for a term. For example, it define:photosynthesis defines photosynthesis.

【{“image_fetch”: “Google intext search operator”}】 intext:
Searches for pages containing a specific word in the body text. For instance, intext:economics find pages where “economics” appears in the text.

【{“image_fetch”: “Google allintitle search operator”}】 allintitle:
Find pages where all the specified words are in the title. For example, it allintitle:technology innovation returns pages with both words in the title.

【{“image_fetch”: “Google allinurl search operator”}】 allinurl:
Searches for pages where all the specified words are in the URL. For instance, allinurl:research data find URLs containing both words.

【{“image_fetch”: “Google stocks search operator”}】 stocks:
Provides stock information for a given ticker symbol. For example, stocks:GOOGL shows stock details for Alphabet Inc.

【{“image_fetch”: “Google weather search operator”}】 weather:
Displays the current weather for a specified location. For instance, it weather:London shows London’s weather.

【{“image_fetch”: “Google time search operator”}】 time:
Shows the current time in a specified location. For example, it time:Tokyo displays the current time in Tokyo.

【{“image_fetch”: “Google map search operator”}】 map:
Finds maps related to a specific location. For instance, it map:New York provides a map of New York.

【{“image_fetch”: “Google movie search operator”}】 movie:
Searches for information about a specific movie. For example, it movie:Inception provides details about the film “Inception.”

【{“image_fetch”: “Google before search operator”}】 **before: and after:
Limits search results to pages published before or after a specific date. For instance, climate change before:2020 find pages published before 2020.

【{“image_fetch”: “Google inanchor search operator”}】 inanchor:
Searches for pages with specific words in the anchor text of links. For example, find pages linked with the anchor text “click here.”

【{“image_fetch”: “Google AROUND search operator”}】 AROUND(X)
Find pages where two terms are within ‘X’ words of each other. For instance, technology AROUND(3) innovation searches for pages where “technology” and “innovation” appear within three words.

Google has recently implemented significant changes affecting both its cached pages feature and the number of search results displayed per query.

1. Removal of Cached Pages

In early 2024, Google discontinued its cached pages feature, which previously allowed users to view snapshots of web pages as they appeared when last indexed. This feature was handy for accessing content from websites that were temporarily down or had changed. Google cited the increased reliability of the internet and the availability of alternative archival services as reasons for this decision. Consequently, the “Cached” link has been removed from search results and the cache: operator is no longer functional.

2. Integration with the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine

To compensate for Google’s partnership with the Internet Archive to move its caching service, Google partnered to archive versions of web pages through the Wayback Machine directly from Google’s search results. By clicking on the three dots next to a search result and selecting “More about this page,” users can find links to the Wayback Machine, facilitating access to historical snapshots of web content. The Wayback Machine

3. Limitation on the Number of Search Results Pages

Google has also reduced the number of search results pages accessible per query. While a search might indicate millions of results, users often find that only a limited number of pages—sometimes around 30—are available for browsing. This limitation is due to Google’s practice of omitting similar results to enhance user experience, effectively reducing the number of unique pages displayed.

4. Adjusting Results Per Page

Users seeking to view more results on a single page can adjust their search settings. By navigating to the search settings and modifying the “Results per page” slider, it’s possible to display up to 100 results per page. However, increasing this number may impact search speed and performance.

These changes reflect Google’s ongoing efforts to optimise search efficiency and user experience, adapting to the evolving digital landscape and the availability of external archival resources.