Shodan for Penetration Testing and Open-Source Intelligence

How do security professionals map an organization's digital footprint and identify exposed devices before attackers do? Gathering open-source intelligence (OSINT) is a critical first step in modern penetration testing, and Shodan is the premier tool for finding internet-connected hardware. This course guides you from absolute beginner to confidently navigating the internet of things (IoT) landscape. You will learn to formulate precise search queries, analyze device metadata, and uncover security gaps in web applications and network infrastructure. What you'll learn: Understand the core concepts of OSINT and how search engines crawl internet-connected devices; Master Shodan search filters to locate specific servers, IoT devices, and open ports; Analyze banner information to identify software versions and potential vulnerabilities; Execute basic command-line queries and automate data retrieval using Shodan's API; Apply ethical guidelines and responsible disclosure practices during your security assessments. You will start with foundational networking concepts and Shodan's basic syntax before moving into advanced filtering, API utilization, and practical intelligence-gathering workflows. Each concept is reinforced with clear explanations and realistic, text-based scenarios. Designed for aspiring penetration testers, cybersecurity students, and IT professionals looking to add OSINT to their skill set, this course requires no prior experience with Shodan or advanced networking. Start reading to build your threat-hunting skills and secure exposed assets today.