I recently accidentally stumbled on pages with tons of "Google hacks".. I wouldn't call it hacking, but I don't know what else to call it either.

Basically what they are is different search Queries, which when entered in google will give you access to different delicate information like, usernames, passwords, emails, online devices.
For example I had lots of fun controlling a Axis security cam.. I could zoom it turn it 360*.. even turn stuff like infra-red and background light on. It is kinda cool to think of that you make some security-guy think the cam is going crazy while you sit on the other end of world doing it.

But here's my question. Is it illegal to use information freely available in Google? I mean, I don't hack anything, I don't steal anything, all I do is search stuff in google. It's like asking people on street to give you their wallet and if they do then I haven't done anything wrong. But I do realize that this is slightly different, people don't freely distribute the information, they rather do it because of the lack of knowledge how not to do it..

Edit:
Also a lot of these cameras are used as personal webcams, people put them in their room without even knowing that the camera software automatically makes their computer a server, for other people to access it over the internet.
Now, heres something wrong. Who is the one to blame? The one who finds the camera by searching google and watches it. The camera owner, who didn't read the cam's manual. Or the cam manufacturer who makes it all possible?.. or nobody?

I personally do not want to mess with personal cams, if I saw one I closed it in that very same moment. But I am a big fan of messing with public and security cams

EDIT2:
Ok, this is getting kinda stupid. I've lost all my trust to public and security cameras now. I now tried out another type of camera, it is a security camera. One server can monitor up to i think 16 cameras, it has a playback function (You can view stuff what happened there year ago).. only they are all password protected.

I took 10 first entries I got from google. Tried default password which comes from factory and is freely available in cameras manual, online. ONLY 3 OF THESE SITES HAD PASSWORD CHANGED, 7 had default user/password of "admin/admin".. I got access to big ass factory, hotel, restaurant and office security cameras. Total of about 40-50 of them.

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Flatland-Central

Thats the thing about Google, their search engine is too good.

What you are really asking is a grey area because of who & what is involved.

1: Anyone who publishes a website is responsible for keeping sensitive information secret.

2: Anyone with an internet device really should take all necessary precautions in keeping unwanted people out. Unfortunately people are not educated enough before they jump on-line, no fault of their own.

3: Its up to people like you to make the right ethical decision to either use that information or not. Some places you'll not have problems but others could have you end up in court, depending on the system you've logged onto.

Personally I would advise against playing around with such information, you just don't know who's system you'll hit. Some people log all activity and will do anything (legally) to stop you.

That site you've found sounds interesting though.

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Help with search engine marketing

So basically what you're saying is that I can "steal" peoples credit card numbers, e-mails, passwords, watch them 24/7 from their webcam without them knowing. And none of it would be my fault, because the webmasters should take care of it themselves to not publish information like that?

Me personally wouldn't do anything that would harm another human being, excluding some. But I'm astonished how easy it is to do it. Type simple search query into google, hash decode it and you got everything to order whatever, wherever you want with other person credit card number.

The site I found is sooo easy to find. And there are probably private communities with even more delicate stuff. And even the freely available site contains everything you would need to find sites that are very easy to take over, "steal" personal information..

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Flatland-Central

Wow. It is a scary world we live in when people can so easily invade your privacy. I have to wander if the site you found is a legal site. Sounds questionable to me.

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Theresa

Water-Garden-Guide.com - My new SBI! site.

Cash Crafters - How to Start a Craft Business Online

Even if the site was illegal all you would have to do in most cases is add a text to your footer that says something like "Everything you can find on this page is for educational purpose only. Site owners are not responsible for any kind of harm caused." and that's it.

I'm also a bit scared about how easy it is to do stuff like this. I mean, I kinda knew it before and I have never trusted.. well, anything that is digital, although I thought it would be a little harder than just searching google. But I'm relieved that it doesn't work for all sites/cameras etc. but only a selected few. But still, even one is one too many.

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Flatland-Central

Good point, MC. It is a shame how easy it is to get away with that sort of thing.

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Theresa

Water-Garden-Guide.com - My new SBI! site.

Cash Crafters - How to Start a Craft Business Online