tips:google search engine

So much information is on the web, its mind boggling. Thankfully we have search
engines to sift through them and catagorize them for us. Unfortunatly, there is still so
much info that even with these search engines, its often a painstakingly slow process
(something comparable to death for a hacker) to find exactly what you're looking for.

Lets get right into it.



I use google.com as my primary search engine because it presently tops the charts as far as
the sites that it indexes which means more pertinent info per search.

1. Page translation.
Just because someone speaks another language doesn't mean they dont have anything useful to say. I use translation tools like the ones found at

http://babelfish.altavista.com
and

http://world.altavista.com
to translate a few key words I am searching for. Be specific and creative because these tools arent the most accurate things on the planet.

2. Directories.
These days everything is about $$$. We have to deal/w SEO (search engine optimization) which seems like a good idea on paper until you do a search for toys and get 5 pornsites in the first 10 results. Using a sites directory will eliminate that. You can narrow your search down easily by looking for the info in specific catagories. (PS google DOES have directories, they're at: directory.google.com)

3. Here are some tips that google refers to as "advanced"

A. "xxxx" / will look for the exact phrase. (google isnt case sensitive)
B. -x / will search for something excluding a certain term
C. filetype:xxx / searches for a particular file extention (exe, mp3, etc)
D. -filetype:xxx / excludes a particular file extention
E. allinurl:x / term in the url
F. allintext:x / terms in the text of the page
G. allintitle:x / terms in the html title of that page
H. allinanchor:x / terms in the links

4. OR
Self explanatory, one or the other... (ie: binder OR joiner)

5. ~X
Synonyms/similar terms (in case you can't think of any yourself)

6. Numbers in a range.
Lets say you're looking for an mp3 player but only want to spend up to $90. Why swim through all the others? MP3 player $0..$90 The 2 periods will set a numeric range to search between. This also works with dates, weights, etc

7. +
Ever type in a search and see something like this:
"The following words are very common and were not included in your search:"
Well, what if those common words are important in your search? You can force google to search through even the common terms by putting a + in front of the denied word.

8. Preferences
It amazes me when I use other peoples PCs that they dont have their google search preferences saved. When you use google as much as I do, who can afford to not have preferences? They're located on the right of the search box, and have several options, though I only find 2 applicable for myself...
A. Open results in new browser
B. Display 10-100 results per page. (I currently use 50 per page, but thats a resolution preference, and 5X's the default)

9. *
Wildcard searches. Great when applied to a previously mentioned method. If you only know the name of a prog, or are looking for ALL of a particular file (ie. you're DLing tunes) something like *.mp3 would list every mp3.

10. Ever see this?
"In order to show you the most relevant results, we have omitted some entries very similar to the X already displayed. If you like, you can repeat the search with the omitted results included." The answer is YES. yes yes yes. Did I mention yes? I meant to.

11. Search EVERYWHERE
Use the engine to its fullest. If you dont find your answer in the web section, try the group section. Hell, try a whole different search engine. Dont limit yourself, because sometimes engines seem to intentionally leave results out.
ex. use google, yahoo, and altavista. search the same terms... pretty close, right? Now search for disney death. Funny, altavista has plenty of disney, but no death...hmmm.

If you've read this far into this tutorial without saying, "Great, a guy that copied a few google help pages and thinks its useful info" then I will show you WHY (besides accuracy, speed, and consistancy finding info on ANYTHING) its nice to know how a search engine works. You combine it/w your knowledge of other protocol.

Example:
Want free music? Free games? Free software? Free movies? God bless FTP! Try this search:
intitle:"Index of music" "rolling stones" mp3
Substitute rolling stones/w your favorite band. No? Try the song name, or another file format. Play with it. Assuming SOMEONE made an FTP and uploaded it, you'll find it.

For example....I wanted to find some Sepultura. If you never heard them before, they're a Brazilian heavy metal band that kicks ass. I started with this:
intitle:"Index of music" "Sepultura" mp3 <-- nothing
intitle:"Index of música" "Sepultura" mp3 <-- nothing
intitle:"Index of musica" "Sepultura" mp3 <-- not good enough
intitle:"Index of music" "Sepultura" * <-- found great stuff, but not enough Sepultura

At this point it occurs to me that I may be missing something, so I try:
intitle:"index of *" "sepultura" mp3 <-- BANG!
(and thats without searching for spelling errors)
Also try inurl:ftp

I find that * works better for me than trying to guess other peoples mis-spellings.

The same method applies for ebooks, games, movies, SW, anything that may be on an FTP site.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial, and I saw that recently a book and an article was written on the very same topic. I havn't read them as of yet, but check em out, and get back to me if you feel I missed something important and should include anything else.

intitle:"index of" "google hacks" ebook


Ps. I've said it before, I'll say it again... BE CREATIVE.
You'll be surprised what you can find.

Read more »

I just saw something this morning about Networkers Live and that reminded me that it has been nearly a year now since the CCNA Security certification was announced. For those reading this blog, I am curious, have you obtained the CCNA Security certification? If not, are you in process, or just still contemplating it?

For those on the verge of deciding to pursue this certification, I want to take a few minutes to outline what’s involved and where it may lead. As you may know, last summer Cisco announced specializations at the CCNA level for Security, Voice, and Wireless. The creation of these tracks gave focus for those beginning their Cisco careers and I believe they serve as an excellent entry point into the larger Professional certification path.

If you are thinking about pursuing your CCNA Security, then let’s start with the basics. First, you must either have a valid CCNA certification or earn one. You may earn the CCNA by passing the ICND 1 and ICND 2 exams or by taking and passing the CCNA Single Exam. If you choose the two exam route, you will earn the CCENT certification upon passing the ICND 1 Exam. Though these are the entry point exams for Cisco Certification, they are by no means easy, so I am pleased to see Cisco recognizing the effort required for the ICND 1 exam by awarding the CCENT certification. Ok….so let’s say you have taken ICND 1 and ICND 2 and you have passed- yippee!!!! Trust me, this is no small feat!

Well if you are on your way to CCNA security, you are well on your way. Having cleared these initial hurdles, you are now ready to focus your studies on security and prepare for the 640-554 IINS exam. Though your general studies for CCNA will expose you to security concepts, it is in this exam that you will focus on security specifically. For a full description of the topics covered on the 640-553 IINS exam, you can access the following link:

https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/community/certifications/ccent/icnd1?view=overview

The 640-553 IINS exam follows the same general format as other Cisco exams and if you have faught your way through the CCNA certification process, you are likely familiar with this. In other words, be prepared to potentially questions of the following types: Multiple-choice, Testlet, Drag-and-drop, Simulated lab, and Simlet. In other words, it’s not going to be a walk in the park- still, with careful preparation in the various security topics covered on the exam (see link above) and a solid understanding of the core networking principles covered in your CCNA, you will be well prepared.

So what happens “after” you pass the 640-553 exam? Well, at this point, you have earned the CCNA Security certification but equally as important, you are at a career cross-road. Do you continue on and pursue the CCSP certification, or take a breather and see what the market has to offer a newly minted CCNA Security? Depending on where you are in your career path and your ultimate goals, either might be the right choice. However if you decide to take a break for now, realize the technology, just like time, just keeps marching on, so be prepared to head back in and either recertify (CCNA Security is good for 3 years) or advance down the road to CCSP within the appropriate timeframe. If you are thinking about pushing forward into the CCSP certification, here is a link to the full list of exams required:

https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/message/28215#28215

Well, those are the basics of CCNA Security- at least from a “what’s required” perspective. In my upcoming postings I will start to explore specific exam topic areas, as well as whatever else you might have an interest in. If you have further questions about the certification process or recommendations around training and resources, please let me know and I would be happy to share my thoughts.

Read more »