Step 2: Understand your Web applications

I recommend getting with whoever developed your Web site and getting a crash course in how the site works. Every Web application is different. Depending on the language that the site was coded in and on the skill of the person who built your site, the site may contain hidden links to pages that are not intended to be seen by the public. It's these hidden links that pose the biggest threat from Google hacks. Since your Web guy isn't likely to tell you about potentially damaging hidden links, it's best to get a list of every page in the site that the public should never see. Don't worry too much about backend pages that contain nothing but functions. Instead, focus your efforts on things like administrative consoles, mailing list interfaces, report generators, and things like that.

Google hacking to test your security

 Home: Introduction
 Step 1: Identify what could be Google hacked
 Step 2: Understand your Web applications
 Step 3: Queries to Google hack your site -- Simple stuff
 Step 4: More complicated Google queries
 Step 5: Harden your Web site against Google hacks

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More information from SearchWindowsSecurity.com

Learning Center: Google hack Windows servers

Tip: Google your Windows security vulnerabilities

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Brien M. Posey, MCSE, is a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional for his work with Windows 2000 Server and IIS. He has served as CIO for a nationwide chain of hospitals and was once in charge of IT security for Fort Knox. As a freelance technical writer, he has written for Microsoft, TechTarget, CNET, ZDNet, MSD2D, Relevant Technologies and other technology companies. You can visit his personal Web site at www.brienposey.com. Copyright 2005 TechTarget

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