The scariest part? I did it all from my browser using Google.

Let me set the scene: It was 3 AM during a red team engagement. We'd hit a wall. The company's external security was ironclad — firewalls, WAFs, the works. Then I remembered an old trick.

Twenty minutes later, I had the company's internal network diagrams, employee passwords, and access to their development environment. How? Google.

Not hacking. Not social engineering. Just carefully crafted search queries that revealed what the company never meant to share publicly.

This is Google Dorking — and it's the most underestimated skill in cybersecurity.

What Exactly is Google Dorking?

Google Dorking (or Google Hacking) uses advanced search operators to find information that's publicly available but hidden in plain sight. Think of it as using Google's own advanced features to find the digital equivalent of unlocked doors and open windows.

Why it's legal: You're not breaking into anything. You're just finding what people have accidentally made public. But with great power comes great responsibility — we'll talk ethics later.

The Basic Operators You Need to Master

Here are the essential operators that investigators use daily:

1. site: - Search Specific Websites

site:github.com companyname password

Finds passwords accidentally committed to GitHub.

2. filetype: - Find Specific File Types

filetype:pdf "confidential" "Q4 financials"

Locates PDFs containing sensitive information.

3. intitle: & inurl: - Search Titles and URLs

intitle:"index of" "database.sql"

Finds open directories containing database files.

4. intext: - Search Within Page Text

intext:"password" "login" "admin"

Finds pages containing specific text strings.

5. cache: - View Cached Versions

cache:target.com

Shows Google's cached version, sometimes revealing removed content.

Real-World Examples (That Won't Get You Arrested)

Example 1: Finding Exposed Security Cameras

inurl:"viewer.html?mode=motion"

This finds unsecured security camera interfaces. I've found everything from bank lobbies to hospital security feeds.

Example 2: Locating Exposed Documents

filetype:xls "password" "users"

Spreadsheets with login credentials are more common than you'd think.

Example 3: Discovering Open Directories

intitle:"index of" "parent directory"

These are like open filing cabinets on the internet.

The Investigator's Toolkit: 10 Dorks That Actually Work

Here are search queries I use in legitimate security assessments:

1. Database Dumps

filetype:sql "INSERT INTO" "users"

2. Exposed Configuration Files

filetype:env "DB_PASSWORD"

3. Open Webcams

inurl:"axis-cgi/jpg"

4. Login Portals

intitle:"login" "admin" "password"

5. API Keys

"api_key" "extension:env"

6. Backup Files

filetype:bak "mysql-dump"

7. Exposed Git Repositories

intitle:"index of" ".git"

8. Sensitive Documents

filetype:docx "confidential" "internal use only"

9. Network Device Logs

intitle:"router" "status" "Cisco"

10. Database Administration Panels

intitle:"phpMyAdmin" "Welcome to phpMyAdmin"

Building Complex Dorks: The Investigator's Approach

The real power comes from combining operators. Here's my thought process:

Step 1: Define the Target "I need to find exposed documents from a specific company."

Step 2: Build the Query

site:company.com filetype:pdf | filetype:doc | filetype:xls "confidential"

Step 3: Refine Based on Results If I get too many results:

site:company.com filetype:pdf "confidential" 2024

Step 4: Expand the Search

site:company.com (filetype:pdf | filetype:doc) ("internal" | "confidential" | "sensitive")

Advanced Techniques for Legitimate Research

1. Using Wildcards

"API key: *" site:github.com

Finds various API key formats.

2. Number Ranges

"salary" 2020..2024 filetype:xlsx

Finds salary information from specific years.

3. Combining Multiple Sites

site:github.com | site:gitlab.com "password" "production"

A Real Case Study (Details Changed)

During a security assessment for a healthcare provider, I found:

Exposed patient records:

site:healthprovider.com filetype:xlsx "patient" "diagnosis"

Internal network diagrams:

filetype:vsd "internal network" site:healthprovider.com

Employee credentials:

"username" "password" "healthprovider.com" filetype:csv

The company had accidentally exposed these through misconfigured cloud storage and development sites. They fixed the issues immediately — no hacking required.

The Ethical Framework: How to Dork Responsibly

DO:

  • Use dorking for legitimate security research
  • Test your own organization's exposure
  • Report findings responsibly to affected organizations
  • Follow responsible disclosure practices

DON'T:

  • Access or download sensitive information
  • Use dorking for malicious purposes
  • Share specific vulnerable URLs publicly
  • Violate privacy laws or terms of service

The Golden Rule: If you find something sensitive, report it — don't exploit it.

Building Your Own Dorking Toolkit

1. Start with Google's Advanced Search Use the interface at google.com/advanced_search to build queries visually.

2. Use Specialized Search Engines

  • Shodan: For internet-connected devices
  • Censys: Similar to Shodan with different features
  • GitHub Search: For code and configuration files

3. Create Your Own Database I maintain a personal database of useful dorks organized by:

  • Target type (cameras, documents, databases)
  • File type
  • Industry
  • Risk level

Practice Safely: Where to Learn

Legal Practice Environments:

  • Google's own systems: Use site:google.com for practice
  • Test sites you own: The safest way to learn
  • Bug bounty programs: Only with explicit permission
  • Capture The Flag platforms: Many include dorking challenges

The Future of Google Dorking

As AI transforms search, dorking is evolving too:

AI-Powered Dorking:

# Conceptual example of AI-assisted dork generation
def generate_dorks(vulnerability_type, target_info):
    base_dorks = load_dork_templates()
    customized = customize_for_target(base_dorks, target_info)
    return filter_by_relevance(customized, vulnerability_type)

Defensive Dorking: Companies are now using these same techniques to find their own exposed information before attackers do.

Your First 30 Days of Dorking

Week 1: Master the basic operators with safe searches Week 2: Practice on your own websites and test environments Week 3: Learn to combine operators for precise results Week 4: Develop ethical reporting procedures

The Bottom Line

Google Dorking isn't about being a hacker — it's about being a better investigator. In the right hands, it's a tool for improving security. In the wrong hands, it's a weapon.

The difference between finding vulnerabilities and exploiting them comes down to character, not capability.

I've used these techniques to help companies secure everything from nuclear research facilities to children's hospitals. The information was always there — they just didn't realize they'd left the front door open.

What's the most surprising thing you've found using search operators? Share your experiences (without sensitive details) in the comments below.

If this introduction to the investigator's toolkit was valuable, give it a clap and follow me for more practical security techniques that don't require a black hat.