Hackers use Google to access photocopiers

In a BuilderAU article, using Google hacks -- requests typed into the search engine that bring up cached information on networks -- hackers are discovering and using login details for networked photocopiers so they can watch what is being copied.



The problem is not limited to just photocopiers, just about anything can be sought out on Google if the web server is not configured correctly to keep googlebot from crawling network information. Information that can be found are IP addresses, login details, and device information.

"Hackers have been using Google hacks for some time -- exploiting photocopiers is only a recent example of compromising online devices. Hackers also use the search engine to view logged conversations on the Google computer groups list. In these, techies often share network information, such as logins, and their company domain name when they post their e-mail address with a message."

A network is only as secure as your weakest link. Sometimes that link can be one of your own employees.