Information gathering & Digital Foot-printing Tools

Information gathering and digital footprinting tools are crucial for collecting publicly available data to assess a target’s security. These tools help cybersecurity professionals identify vulnerabilities and potential threats. Shodan scans internet-connected devices, while Maltego maps relationships between people, companies, and systems. theHarvester collects email addresses and subdomains, while Recon-ng is a powerful framework for gathering OSINT. Google Dorking uses search engine queries to uncover hidden data, and WHOIS reveals domain registration information. These tools are used in ethical hacking to assess risks, enhance security, and identify gaps, aiding in penetration testing and threat intelligence efforts.