What Is Shodan? A Practical Guide (2026 Edition)
Shodan is often described as the search engine for the internet’s exposed infrastructure. Unlike Google or Bing, which index web pages, Shodan indexes devices, services, and systems connected directly to the internet. That includes servers, databases, routers, industrial control systems, webcams, and remote access services.
This guide explains what Shodan is, how it works, what you can realistically find "in the wild" in 2026, and how defenders, researchers, and organizations use it responsibly.
What Exactly Is Shodan?
Shodan continuously scans the public internet, connecting to IP addresses and recording the responses from open ports and services. From those responses it extracts metadata such as:
- Open ports (e.g., 22, 80, 443, 3389)
- Service banners and versions
- TLS/SSL certificate data
- Authentication methods
- Geographic and network ownership data
Instead of asking “What website mentions MongoDB?”, Shodan lets you ask “Which MongoDB servers are exposed to the internet right now?”
How Shodan Works (High-Level)
- Internet-wide scanning – Shodan probes IPv4 (and limited IPv6) space on common and high-risk ports.
- Banner collection – Services often reveal identifying information when you connect (software name, version, configuration hints).
- Indexing & enrichment – Results are tagged with organization names, countries, autonomous systems (ASNs), vulnerabilities, and SSL data.
- Search & filtering – Users query this data using Shodan’s search language.
Importantly, Shodan does not exploit systems. It records what systems willingly expose.
Why Shodan Matters in 2026
Despite years of awareness, exposed services are still extremely common. In 2026, Shodan remains relevant because:
- Cloud misconfigurations are still frequent
- Remote work keeps RDP and VPN services exposed
- IoT devices are widely deployed with weak defaults
- Legacy systems remain online far longer than expected
Attackers, defenders, journalists, and researchers often look at the same data — the difference is intent.
What You Can Find in the Wild (Realistic Examples)
Below are informative, defensive examples of what Shodan commonly reveals. These are not theoretical; they reflect patterns consistently observed on the public internet.
Exposed RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol)
RDP (port 3389) is one of the most searched-for services on Shodan. Many systems expose RDP directly to the internet without proper hardening.
What Shodan Can Reveal
- Systems running Windows Server or Windows Workstations
- Network ownership (company, ISP, cloud provider)
- Whether Network Level Authentication (NLA) is enabled
- OS version fingerprints
Example Shodan Queries
port:3389port:3389 "Windows Server"port:3389 has_screenshot:trueWhy This Matters
Exposed RDP is frequently targeted for:
- Credential stuffing
- Password spraying
- Exploitation of unpatched vulnerabilities
Defenders use Shodan to find their own exposed hosts before attackers do.
Exposed MongoDB Databases
MongoDB has improved its default security posture over the years, yet exposed instances still appear due to misconfiguration.
What Shodan Can Reveal
- Database names
- Whether authentication is required
- MongoDB version information
- Server uptime and cluster role
Example Shodan Queries
product:MongoDBproduct:MongoDB port:27017product:MongoDB -authenticationWhy This Matters
Historically, exposed MongoDB instances have led to:
- Data leaks
- Ransom-style data deletion
- Compliance violations
Security teams often use these searches for external attack surface management.
Exposed Webcams and IP Cameras
Internet-connected cameras remain one of the most disturbing categories of exposed devices.
What Shodan Can Reveal
- Camera brand and model
- Live snapshot access
- Authentication mechanisms (or lack thereof)
- Firmware versions
Example Shodan Queries
product:"Webcam"product:"IP Camera"http.title:"Live View""webcamXP"Why This Matters
Exposed cameras raise serious:
- Privacy concerns
- Physical security risks
- Legal and ethical issues
In many cases, owners are unaware their devices are publicly accessible.
Other Common Findings on Shodan
In addition to the examples above, Shodan frequently indexes:
- Elasticsearch clusters
- Kubernetes dashboards
- Industrial control systems (ICS/SCADA)
- Network storage (NAS) devices
- VPN gateways and firewalls
These results reflect configuration decisions, not zero-day vulnerabilities.
Who Uses Shodan (Legitimately)
Shodan is widely used by:
- Blue teams and SOC analysts
- Penetration testers (with authorization)
- Threat intelligence teams
- Journalists and researchers
- Compliance and risk management teams
Many organizations integrate Shodan data into continuous security monitoring.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
Searching Shodan is legal in most jurisdictions. However:
- Accessing data beyond what is publicly exposed may be illegal
- Attempting authentication without permission is unethical and often unlawful
- Viewing sensitive personal data may carry legal obligations depending on region
Shodan itself provides visibility; responsibility lies with the user.
Responsible Use and Disclosure
This article and the included query examples are provided strictly for educational and defensive purposes.
The intent is to:
- Raise awareness of common exposure risks
- Help organizations identify and secure their assets
- Encourage ethical security research
Do not:
- Access systems you do not own or have permission to test
- Attempt exploitation or data extraction
- Share sensitive findings irresponsibly
If you discover an exposed system, follow responsible disclosure practices and notify the owner when possible.
Final Thoughts
Shodan is neither good nor evil; it is a mirror reflecting the current state of internet security. In 2026, that reflection still shows widespread exposure caused by misconfiguration rather than advanced hacking.
Used responsibly, Shodan is one of the most powerful tools available for understanding, measuring, and improving real-world security.