Tracker Pixel for Entry

​Did you know about Shodan?

Culture | May 22nd, 2019

Shodan has been called the “scariest search engine on the internet.” It has the ability to expose and allow access to many devices including servers, computers, phones, fridges, traffic lights, security cameras and even control panels of power and utility systems. What exactly is Shodan? Shodan is a search engine, much like Google or Yahoo. The difference between Shodan and other search engines is Shodan provides information regarding devices which are connected to the internet, rather than providing information from Web sites.

Originally created to allow companies to track where their software is being used, Shodan is now more often used to gain access or general information about devices and systems. Shodan can expose vulnerable systems and provide information concerning default passwords, which will allow someone to gain access to the devices and machines. Why is Shodan so scary? It’s really not Shodan, as much as the number of devices connected to the internet with little or no security. The number of devices using default passwords is shocking, as well as the number of devices with “admin” as their username and “1234” for a password. For example, one Shodan user found a hockey rink in Denmark that could be defrosted by a click of a button, as well as a city’s entire traffic control system which could be put into “test mode” using one command entry.

Sometimes surveilling the Internet of Things can allow you to watch the watchers. A civil liberties group used Shodan to find that Internet surveillance equipment made by California-based Blue Coat Systems had been deployed in countries with harsh human rights records, including Syria, which is on a U.S. embargo list. The group used the findings to put public pressure on the company to be more ethical as to whom it sells potentially repressive products.

How can you protect your network and devices from Shodan?The first way to protect your device from being exposed by Shodan is to determine whether the device really needs to be connected to the public Internet. If this device does not need to be connected to the public Internet, disconnecting the device would take away all risk of Shodan exposing this device. Secondly, always change default passwords. Default passwords for devices are often times easily found online allowing access to your device, if you have not changed the password. By simply setting a new password, rather than using the default password, many of the devices exposed on Shodan would be safe. Thirdly, you can use Shodan to track vulnerable or exposed system or devices on your network and work to close the breaches.

Is it legal?Looking at Shodan from a technical standpoint, Shodan is a massive port scanner. Port scanning is not a violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, because it does not meet the requirement for damage concerning the availability or integrity of the device. Therefore, technically speaking, Shodan is completely legal. In other words, Shodan is only used to expose vulnerable devices and systems, but does not itself do anything with the information found to tamper with devices.

To me, this case is more of an “is it moral or not?” question rather than a “is it legal or not?” question seeing as someone can use it to find information about a network to start an attack. I am sure that all of my readers are moral...

Shodan is a useful search engine which can be used to expose and gain access to vulnerable systems. Organizations put themselves at risk by leaving devices exposed or using default or common passwords. Good security is a continuous process and best practices can minimize the threat of hackers. If you are concerned that your network might be at risk, contact Computer Technologies today.

No, I am not going to tell you how to get to Shodan on the Internet! If you think your network needs it, go find it and apply for an account.

Recently in:

By Alicia Underlee NelsonMore than 1,000 pro-worker events are planned for Thursday, May 1 across the country, including rallies in Fargo-Moorhead, Grand Forks, Minot and Jamestown. East Grand Forks and Bismarck will host protests…

From concerts and car shows to Japanese art and Juneteenth celebrations, there's so much going on around the region this summer. This year's High Plains Reader Summer Events Calendar is back and bigger than ever. It's packed with…

June 21, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.Fargo Theatre, 314 Broadway N., Fargo“We Watch Shudder,” Fargo’s favorite horror podcasters, bring on the darkness during the longest day of the year. The Darkest Day of Horror Film Festival features…

By John Strandjas@hpr1.com One description that perhaps aptly describes the mental state of many lately is that they feel they are attached to a string. Or several strings. Call it the notion that people are played like puppets,…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comFor sale: White House in D.C. housing dung beetles and giant leechesI suspect someone close to Donald Trump has read “The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich,”because the Trump administration is…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com After a very inspiring conversation with Kayla Houchin of Sonder Bakehouse a few weeks ago, I decided that it’s an appropriate time to write a column about some of the sweet people who are involved…

Mooncats and Pert Near Sandstone play Empire TheatreBy Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comThe MoonCats describe themselves as “Americonscious Campfire Folk.” They have a clear acoustic folk sound with a sense of whimsy — think…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.com The writing/directing partnership of Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck has to be one of the most curious cases of crazy connect-the-dots career moves in recent cinema. From short documentaries and…

By Raul Gomezraul@hpr1.com Minutes before Modern’s Celebration of Life opened its door at the Sons of Norway, I was fiddling with the bar computer, trying to pull up the playlists of Modern’s work I had set aside for the…

By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.comHigh Plains Reader had the opportunity to interview two mysterious new game show hosts named Milt and Bradley Barker about an upcoming event they will be putting on at Brewhalla. What…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

By Ellie Liveranieli.liverani.ra@gmail.com There appear to be differences in the incidence of mental illnesses between men and women. For example, women are more likely to be diagnosed with depression, post-traumatic stress…

By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…

By Vern Thompsonvern.thompson.nd7@gmail.com Our trucking business has me driving almost daily from gas plants in western North Dakota's oil patch to Canada. I haul natural gas liquids (NGLs) products we used to see flared off at…