Want to research like cybersecurity experts? Top 7 sites to visit

Cyber security experts use a variety of websites on a daily basis as a means of searching for vulnerabilities, working, and protecting themselves. Specialized software platforms are capable of handling specific functions, such as tracking IP addresses or determining failures in a wide variety of different types of systems, through the use of specific algorithms. This is the way that they contribute to making the user’s experience more secure. As an example, ZoomEye, Shodan, and Censys are tools that are used by experts, but can be accessed by anyone who has access to the Internet, although these are only available to experts. Discover seven cybersecurity-focused search platforms in the following section.

Table of Contents

1. ZoomEye

ZoomEye is an open-source search engine, which is used by cybersecurity experts in order to monitor and search for devices and services connected to the Internet. ZoomEye can be found at https://www.zoomeye.org/. A key advantage of the tool is that users can get real-time email alerts whenever any changes are made to the results of the searches they have selected.

ZoomEye is an easy-to-use program that lets you enter a keyword, a host name or any other pertinent query, and ZoomEye will provide you with detailed information about the term you have entered. This section allows you to see, for example, a list of all the websites that are hosted, the devices that have been identified, and the vulnerability reports.

2. Shodan

There are several search services available on the Internet, but Shodan is one that allows you to find a large number of devices that are connected to the internet, including simple devices – such as webcams – out to complex systems such as industrial plants and industrial machinery. Using the service is as simple as logging on to the website (http://www.shodan.io/) and entering the name of the device, the city or the IP address you wish to check.

As a result, security researchers tend to find this service to be very helpful, as it tends to help them find dangerous loopholes and flaws in their clients’ systems. For its users, Shodan offers three different plan options. For freelance workers, Shodan offers a plan that costs US$69 per month (R $336.85 when converted directly). For small businesses, Shodan offers a plan that costs US$359 (around R$1,700) per month. Finally, for corporate users, Shodan offers a plan that costs US$1,099 per month (R $6,000).

3. Dorksearch

It is also possible to map cyberspace using DorkSearch, a website that can be found at http://dorksearch.com/. This platform is named after the phrase “GoogleDorking”, which is a search technique used by Google to find hidden data that is hidden from the public eye. The interface of DorkSearch is designed to be intuitive and practical, making it easier for you to find confidential information that was exposed as a result of websites and servers storing it.

During the search, the tool identifies potential security flaws in the users’ networks or in their clients’ networks, depending on whether they are cybersecurity experts or members of a family working in the field.

4. Grey Noise

As the name suggests, GreyNoise is a search tool in which users are able to monitor and analyze unwanted traffic on the Internet, which is provided by GreyNoise (https://www.greynoise.io/). A machinelearning algorithm can be implemented in the system in order to identify potentially malicious network activities, such as malware distribution across networks, vulnerability scanning, and automatic port scans that are carried out by the network.

In order to determine suspicious activity, the tool generates relevant information about the activity that you are interested in based on your IPaddress or keyword. As part of GreyNoise, cybersecurity professionals can also integrate this information into existing applications and systems through the use of an API provided by the company.

5. PublicWWW

I came across a search platform called PublicWWW (http://publicwww.com/) this morning. It provides its users with the option of finding websites based on their source code. By analysing these codes and looking for possible errors, this platform has been helpful in identifying addresses that might be associated with malware or other threats, as it is able to detect addresses associated with malware. You can also use the tool if you want to search for keywords in the CSS, HTML, or JS code, and you can also search for alphanumeric snippets or signatures.

Source code search engine — Using PublicWWW, you are able to search for websites based on their source code, rather than just their URL

6. Censys

There are many tools available on the internet for finding people and devices connected to the Internet, and Censys (https://search.censys.io/) is one of those powerful tools that offers detailed information about the devices connected to the Internet, including their operating system, IP address, TLS and SSL protocols, and even open doors. Additionally, the platform also has the ability to identify the version of servers, routers, firewalls that protect web applications, as well as other aspects that may be relevant to determining security.

7. Hunter

Hunter (https://hunter.io/) is a tool that is designed to enable users to verify and find email addresses associated with specific individuals, domains, or companies with the ease of finding and verifying an email address associated with a specific individual, domain, or company. It is possible, for example, for the user to access a list of verified emails linked to a particular domain in order to enter the name of that organization, for example.