Guide · Open source
How to use awesome-hacker-search-engines: a guide to the list
Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data
awesome-hacker-search-engines is a curated, categorized list of websites that security professionals use to look up data during penetration tests, vulnerability assessments, and bug bounty work. It is a reference list of links, not a program you install. This guide shows you how to navigate the categories, pick the right type of search site for a task, and use the list responsibly.
Awesome Hacker Search Enginesedoardottt/awesome-hacker-search-engines · ★ 11.5k · MIT Install options & downloads Quick start
- 1Open the list. Go to the GitHub repository or clone it with git clone https://github.com/edoardottt/awesome-hacker-search-engines.
- 2Pick a category. Use the jump menu at the top of the README to find the category that matches your task, such as Vulnerabilities or Servers.
- 3Compare descriptions. Read the one-line description next to each link to see which site fits your question.
- 4Open the site. Follow the link to the third-party site and check that it still works and covers what you need.
- 5Cross-check results. Confirm important findings, such as a CVE's details, in a second source from the list.
- 6Stay within scope. Only use the results against systems you have permission to assess.
What awesome-hacker-search-engines is and is not
The project is a README-based list of web search engines and databases. Each entry links to a third-party site and carries a short description. The categories include Servers, Vulnerabilities, Exploits, Attack surface, DNS, Certificates, Leaks, Threat Intelligence and others.
The source describes the list as a reference of websites rather than a program. It does not describe any downloadable application, so there is nothing to install and no setup step.
Get a local copy of the list (optional)
You can read the list online on its GitHub page. If you want an offline copy, the README gives this command to clone the repository:
- Clone the repository to keep a local copy, then open the README in any text or Markdown viewer.
git clone https://github.com/edoardottt/awesome-hacker-search-enginesNavigate the categories to find the right site
The README starts with a jump menu linking to each category. Choose the category that matches the question you are trying to answer, then compare the one-line descriptions before opening a site.
- Servers: internet-connected hosts and devices, for example Shodan, Censys Search, ZoomEye and Netlas.io.
- Vulnerabilities: CVE and advisory sources, for example NIST NVD, MITRE CVE, GitHub Advisory Database and osv.dev.
- Exploits: exploit and tooling references, for example Exploit-DB, Sploitus, GTFOBins and LOLBAS.
- DNS, Certificates, Domains and URLs: records and asset discovery sites.
- Leaks and Credentials: sites that index exposed data. Treat these with extra care.
Match a task to a source
For a vulnerability assessment, start with a CVE source such as NIST NVD or MITRE CVE, then check a second source for the same CVE to compare details. For attack-surface work, the Servers category lists engines that map internet-facing assets. Bug bounty hunters can use these to find exposed services in scope.
Blue team analysts can use the Vulnerabilities section to watch for advisories, for example the Red Hat, Cisco and Microsoft advisory pages listed in the README.
- Know the scope: only query and test assets you have permission to assess.
- Cross-check findings, since listed sites are maintained by third parties and may change.
Use the list responsibly
The README gives no usage rules beyond its description. Many listed engines scan or expose internet-connected devices. Looking up data is different from testing systems, and testing a system you do not have permission to test is not something this list authorises.
What people use it for
- Looking up a CVE in NIST NVD or MITRE CVE during a vulnerability assessment.
- Searching internet-facing hosts in Shodan or Censys Search while mapping an attack surface during a bug bounty.
- Finding a public exploit reference in Exploit-DB or Sploitus during a penetration test.
- Checking Red Hat or Cisco advisories as a blue team analyst.
- Learning which public security databases exist as a student.
Frequently asked questions
Is awesome-hacker-search-engines a tool I can install?
No. The source describes it as a curated list of links to web search engines and databases rather than a program. The README does not describe any downloadable app, so there is nothing to install.
Is awesome-hacker-search-engines free?
The repository is licensed under MIT, according to the project's listing. The sites it links to are third-party services, and their own pricing and terms are not described in the README.
What are the requirements for awesome-hacker-search-engines?
The source lists no prerequisites. You need a web browser to read the list online. Git is only needed if you want a local clone with the command in the README.
Can I use these search engines to scan any website?
You should only test systems you have permission to test. The README gives no usage rules beyond its description, and many listed engines expose internet-connected devices, so responsible use is your responsibility.
What are good alternatives to awesome-hacker-search-engines?
Comparable curated lists include awesome-osint, awesome-hacking, awesome-security and awesome-cybersecurity. Use them to find related resources in areas such as OSINT or general security tooling.
Why does a link in the list not work?
The list links to third-party sites that can change or disappear. If a link fails, check whether the site has moved, or look for the same kind of data in another category of the list.
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Our verdict
Use this list if you are a security professional, bug bounty hunter, blue team analyst or student who needs a quick map of public security search engines and databases. Pick a different resource if you want software to install or guaranteed-current data, because this is a set of third-party links that can change.
Install options & downloads