SecurityTrails - Detailed Review
Domain Tools
SecurityTrails - Product Overview
SecurityTrails Overview
SecurityTrails is a comprehensive cybersecurity tool that specializes in providing real-time threat intelligence, domain monitoring, and detailed DNS data. Here’s a brief overview of its primary function, target audience, and key features:
Primary Function
SecurityTrails is created to help organizations strengthen their cybersecurity posture by providing a complete view of their internet-facing assets. It enables users to detect vulnerabilities, prevent attacks, and maintain security across their digital assets. The platform offers a Total Internet Inventory, which includes comprehensive data on hostnames, associated domains, IP blocks, SSL certificates, WHOIS, DNS, and historical DNS records from multiple sources.
Target Audience
SecurityTrails serves a wide range of businesses, including startups, small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and large enterprises. It is particularly useful for cybersecurity teams, researchers, and developers who need detailed and accurate data to secure their online infrastructure.
Key Features
- Attack Surface Management: SecurityTrails helps organizations identify and manage their internet-facing assets, including forgotten servers and exposed ports.
- DNS Security: The platform provides continuous surveillance of DNS records to identify potential vulnerabilities and ensure the integrity of domain infrastructure.
- IP Reputation Management: It tracks and analyzes the reputation of IP addresses associated with the network to identify and mitigate potential threats from malicious IPs.
- Domain Security Monitoring: SecurityTrails offers continuous surveillance of domain assets, alerting users to any changes or potential security issues.
- Historical Data: The platform provides access to 12 years of historical DNS records and WHOIS lookup data, which is invaluable for tracking changes and identifying threats.
- API and Data Feeds: SecurityTrails offers an easy-to-use API that allows users to fetch domain, DNS, and IP-related data, which can be integrated into existing projects to enrich datasets and add value to services.
- Machine Learning Integration: The platform supports the use of machine learning to analyze vast datasets, helping in the detection of malicious domains, phishing campaigns, and other security threats.
Overall, SecurityTrails is a powerful tool that centralizes critical cybersecurity data, making it easier for organizations to manage their security posture effectively.
SecurityTrails - User Interface and Experience
User Interface
The user interface of SecurityTrails is crafted to be user-friendly and intuitive, particularly for cybersecurity professionals such as security analysts, threat hunters, and SOC teams. SecurityTrails provides a clean and organized interface that allows users to access and analyze vast amounts of internet data, including historical and real-time information. The platform aggregates and indexes public and proprietary data sources, making it easy for users to view their organization’s digital footprint comprehensively. The interface is structured to facilitate quick access to various tools and features, such as DNS history, WHOIS data, and SSL certificate tracking.
Ease of Use
The platform is designed to streamline investigative processes. Users can perform fast, medium, or deep scans depending on their needs, with faster scans focused on speed and deeper scans using more thorough methods. This flexibility ensures that users can quickly gather the information they require without unnecessary delays.
Key Features
- Real-time Monitoring: Users can monitor domain and IP changes in real-time, which helps in identifying unauthorized modifications or potential hijacks quickly.
- Automated Tracking: The platform automates the tracking of SSL certificate expirations and configurations, preventing service disruptions and security vulnerabilities.
- Comprehensive Reports: SecurityTrails auto-generates detailed reports on suspicious domains or IP addresses, aiding in rapid threat assessment and mitigation.
- Infrastructure Mapping: It maps and analyzes internet-facing assets, helping in vulnerability management and compliance.
User Experience
The overall user experience is enhanced by the platform’s ability to provide immediate access to a vast database of historical and current data. With over 3 billion historical and modern WHOIS data records and more than 1 billion passive DNS data sets updated daily, users can quickly search and find the information they need. The data is fully indexed, making searches quick and easy.
Authentication and Security
SecurityTrails has also implemented single sign-on (SSO) authentication using Okta, which adds an extra layer of security and convenience. This feature reduces the likelihood of password theft, helps in preventing shadow IT, and aids in regulatory compliance. The SSO setup process is straightforward, and once enabled, users can log in securely with a single set of credentials.
Conclusion
In summary, SecurityTrails offers a user-friendly interface that is easy to use, providing cybersecurity professionals with the tools and data they need to enhance their security posture and conduct thorough investigations efficiently.
SecurityTrails - Key Features and Functionality
SecurityTrails is a comprehensive cybersecurity platform that offers a range of features and functionalities, particularly in the domain of AI-driven threat intelligence and security tools. Here are the main features and how they work:
Real-Time Monitoring and Historical Data
SecurityTrails provides real-time monitoring of domain and IP changes, allowing users to quickly identify unauthorized modifications or potential hijacks. This is achieved through the collection and indexing of public and proprietary data sources, including DNS history, WHOIS data, and SSL certificate tracking.DNS Intelligence
The platform offers extensive DNS intelligence capabilities, enabling users to conduct DNS queries to get a complete picture of a domain’s infrastructure. This includes information on IP addresses, name servers, subdomains, and other important details. This feature helps in identifying potential threats and vulnerabilities, as well as tracking down malicious actors.WHOIS Lookup
SecurityTrails includes a WHOIS lookup tool that allows users to perform queries to get detailed information about a domain’s registrant, registrar, and other key details. This is crucial for identifying potential threats and tracking down malicious actors.Passive DNS
The platform utilizes passive DNS capabilities to capture DNS query and response data. This helps in identifying potentially malicious domains and IP addresses by analyzing patterns and anomalies in DNS traffic.SSL Certificate Tracking
SecurityTrails automates the tracking of SSL certificate expirations and configurations across an organization’s web assets. This prevents service disruptions and security vulnerabilities by ensuring that all SSL certificates are up-to-date and properly configured.API Access and Integration
The SecurityTrails API allows users to integrate the platform’s tools and capabilities into their existing threat intelligence workflow. This API access enables the automation of security processes, the enrichment of threat intelligence, and the integration of data from various sources. It also supports the use of machine learning (ML) algorithms to analyze user behavior and identify suspicious activity, such as changes to DNS settings or access to suspicious domains.Machine Learning Integration
SecurityTrails can be coupled with machine learning to enhance cybersecurity research outcomes. ML algorithms can analyze user behavior alongside SecurityTrails API data to identify suspicious activity, detect phishing campaigns by analyzing website content and SSL certificates, and automate aspects of the incident response workflow. This integration helps in traffic classification, predictive analysis, and supporting security investigations.Attack Surface Intelligence
The platform provides enhanced visibility into an organization’s digital footprint by automatically mapping and analyzing internet-facing assets. This includes information on open ports, software versions, and associated domains, which aids in vulnerability management and compliance.Automated Reporting and Investigation
SecurityTrails streamlines investigation processes by auto-generating comprehensive reports on suspicious domains or IP addresses. This aids in rapid threat assessment and mitigation, making it easier for security teams to respond to potential threats quickly.User Groups and Use Cases
SecurityTrails is used by various groups, including cybersecurity professionals, security analysts, threat hunters, SOC teams, bug bounty hunters, legal teams, and marketing teams. Each group benefits from different aspects of the platform, such as performing DNS enumeration, tracking domain changes, and gathering competitive intelligence. In summary, SecurityTrails is a powerful tool that integrates historical and real-time internet data with AI and ML capabilities to provide comprehensive threat intelligence and enhance an organization’s security posture. Its features are designed to automate security processes, streamline investigations, and provide deep insights into an organization’s digital footprint. SecurityTrails - Performance and Accuracy
Evaluating SecurityTrails in the Domain Tools AI-Driven Product Category
Performance
SecurityTrails is widely praised for its performance, particularly in terms of speed and scalability. Here are some key points:- Users have highlighted that the API provided by SecurityTrails is “super speedy” and a “huge timesaver” for tasks such as subdomain enumeration and DNS data retrieval.
- The service scales well to handle millions of records, making it efficient for large-scale operations.
- The SurfaceBrowser tool, which is part of SecurityTrails, has been praised for its efficiency in tracking threat actors and identifying DNS changes, further enhancing its performance in real-world scenarios.
Accuracy
The accuracy of SecurityTrails is also highly regarded:- Users have consistently mentioned the high accuracy of the data provided by SecurityTrails. For example, it has been noted that the data and accuracy offered are “beyond amazing” and highly reliable for tasks like historical DNS records and Whois lookups.
- The service is recommended for its ability to provide accurate and comprehensive domain historical data, which is crucial for various security and reconnaissance tasks.
Limitations and Areas for Improvement
While SecurityTrails is highly praised, there are some general limitations and areas that could be improved upon, though these are not specific to SecurityTrails alone:- Integration with Other Tools: Some users might find it beneficial if SecurityTrails integrated more seamlessly with other security tools to reduce the cognitive exhaustion and time spent switching between different interfaces, a common issue in the security industry.
- Visibility and Dashboard Management: Ensuring that the dashboard and reporting features are streamlined and easy to manage can help reduce the time spent on analyzing data. This is a broader issue in cybersecurity, but it could be an area for improvement.
User Feedback
User feedback is overwhelmingly positive, with many users recommending SecurityTrails for its recon services, historical DNS data, and overall efficiency. This suggests that the product is meeting the needs of its users effectively in terms of both performance and accuracy.Conclusion
In summary, SecurityTrails performs well in terms of speed, scalability, and data accuracy, making it a valuable tool in the domain of AI-driven security and reconnaissance. While there may be some broader industry challenges related to tool integration and dashboard management, these do not seem to be significant issues specific to SecurityTrails. SecurityTrails - Pricing and Plans
SecurityTrails Plans Overview
SecurityTrails offers a range of plans for its domain tools and services, each with distinct features and pricing. Here’s a breakdown of the different tiers and what they include:
Free Plan
- This plan is available for limited use and includes 50 queries per month.
- Users can check current and historic DNS records, as well as domain and IP data, but with limited capabilities.
Professional Plan
- Priced at $500 per month.
- Includes 20,000 queries per month.
- Features include current and historical DNS records, domain WHOIS data, IP address research, and reverse DNS searching.
- This plan also offers some advanced features like Domain Specific Language (DSL) and associated domains.
Business Plan
- Priced at $1,500 per month.
- Includes 65,000 queries per month.
- All features from the Professional plan are included, plus additional capabilities such as historical WHOIS records, reverse WHOIS searching, and consulting services (1-hour onboarding call).
Enterprise Plan
- Pricing is not listed publicly; users need to contact SecurityTrails for a custom quote.
- Offers flexible query limits and all the features from the Business plan.
- Additional advanced features and consulting services are available, along with the option for commercial use.
Additional Features and Tools
- SurfaceBrowser™: Available across all paid plans, this tool allows users to explore the surface of any organization, including DNS records, associated domains, IP blocks, and open ports. It provides detailed company intelligence, IP data, and fast internet scans updated daily.
- SecurityTrails API™: Integrated into all plans, this API allows users to access current and historic DNS records, domain and IP data, and WHOIS capabilities. The free plan includes limited API queries, while paid plans offer significantly more.
By choosing the appropriate plan, users can access a range of tools and features that help in monitoring and securing their domain and network infrastructure.
SecurityTrails - Integration and Compatibility
Integration Overview
SecurityTrails integrates seamlessly with a variety of tools and platforms, enhancing its compatibility and utility across different domains.SDKs and Wrappers
SecurityTrails offers various SDKs and wrappers to facilitate integration with different programming languages. If a specific SDK or wrapper is not available, users can refer to the API documentation to build their own library or contact support for assistance.Third-party Integrations
SecurityTrails has a range of integrations with third-party tools, including:Cortex XSOAR
For attack surface intelligence and risk identification.Tines
Automates attack surface manual workloads through the Risk Rules API.Splunk
Allows for automated lookups of domains or IP addresses against the SecurityTrails API.Intrigue.io
Helps in discovering information about the attack surface connected to the Internet.Cisco SecureX
Integrates with the SecurityTrails API to enrich its threat response ecosystem.MISP
An expansion module that queries SecurityTrails API services for threat intelligence.theHarvester
An integration for information gathering tasks.ExTrails
A client that works as both a standalone CLI or as an Elixir application client.amass
Uses the SecurityTrails API for advanced network mapping and attack surface analysis.Mihari
An OSINT tool that uses the SecurityTrails API for continuous information gathering and result management.Pown Recon
A reconnaissance framework that enriches its results with SecurityTrails domain intelligence.Browser Extensions
Users can also build their own infosec browser add-ons using the SecurityTrails API and free app services. This allows for easy integration of SecurityTrails data into browser-based tools.Specific Tools and Platforms
SpiderFoot
A new plugin allows SpiderFoot to integrate with the SecurityTrails API, extending its native capabilities to gather sensitive information about target domains using open source intelligence.Haktrails
The official CLI client for querying SecurityTrails API data, written by hakluke.Machine Learning Integration
SecurityTrails API data can be integrated with machine learning (ML) algorithms to enhance cybersecurity research. For example, ML can help in identifying malicious domains, detecting phishing campaigns, and automating incident response workflows by analyzing historical data and current indicators from the SecurityTrails API.General Compatibility
The SecurityTrails API is designed to be flexible and can be integrated into various applications to access current and historical data on domains, DNS, SSL certificates, and IP addresses. This makes it compatible with a wide range of platforms and devices, allowing users to embed this data into their own applications through a simple pricing structure. Overall, SecurityTrails offers a comprehensive set of integrations and tools that make it highly compatible and versatile for different use cases and user groups. SecurityTrails - Customer Support and Resources
Customer Support
For any questions or issues, users can reach out to SecurityTrails’ support team via email at support@securitytrails.com. This is a direct channel for inquiries about new or existing features, billing, products, services, or any other data-related questions.
Status Page
SecurityTrails has introduced a Status page where users can check for any reported issues, downtime, or scheduled maintenance on their API, website, or account console. Users can also subscribe to notifications for real-time updates on any active incidents.
Documentation and Guides
The website provides detailed guides and blog posts that explain how to use their tools effectively. For example, the blog on “How to build a full domain infrastructure profile” offers step-by-step instructions on using the Domain, IP, and DNS Toolkit for domain profiling.
Custom Feeds and API
Users can generate custom feeds downloads and utilize new API filters, which are part of the continuous improvements to their existing products. This helps in managing infrastructure and enriching datasets with the necessary data.
Welcome Page and Onboarding
New users are directed to a redesigned welcome page that simplifies the onboarding process. From here, users can easily navigate to their console and start exploring the data and tools available.
Demos and Free API Accounts
SecurityTrails offers the option to book a demo for their SurfaceBrowser™ tool, which is an all-in-one intel gathering tool for domain investigations. Additionally, users can open a free API account to start integrating SecurityTrails’ data into their own applications.
FAQ Page
A new FAQ page has been introduced to address common questions and provide quick answers to frequent inquiries, making it easier for users to find the information they need.
These resources and support options are designed to ensure that users can effectively utilize SecurityTrails’ tools and services, addressing any questions or issues promptly and efficiently.
SecurityTrails - Pros and Cons
Advantages of SecurityTrails
SecurityTrails offers several significant advantages that make it a valuable tool in the domain of cybersecurity and threat intelligence:Comprehensive Threat Intelligence
- SecurityTrails provides real-time threat intelligence, allowing users to collect data from various sources, including the darknet and surface web. This helps in identifying and mitigating potential threats.
Detailed DNS Data and Historical Records
- The platform offers extensive DNS data, including historical DNS records, reverse DNS, and WHOIS historical data. This is particularly useful for tracking domain ownership and changes over time, and for discovering hidden or forgotten assets such as subdomains and open ports.
Attack Surface Management
- SecurityTrails includes features like Infrastructure Mapping, which helps in identifying all active devices across a network, including cloud assets. This aids in detecting and mitigating risks from shadow IT devices and other misconfigurations.
Customizable Alerts and Risk Scoring
- Users can set up alerts for specific threat types and rate collected threat data based on risk scores, ensuring that critical threats are prioritized and addressed promptly.
Multi-Tool Integration
- The platform integrates various security tools into one environment, enhancing overall business protection by providing a holistic view of all threats surrounding the operational environment.
User-Friendly Interface
- SecurityTrails is known for its user-friendly interface, making it easier for users to conduct threat intelligence gathering and data reconnaissance efficiently.
Versatile Use Cases
- The tool is beneficial for a wide range of users, including blue teams, red teams, ethical hackers, bug bounty hunters, legal teams, marketing teams, and cybersecurity insurance professionals.
Disadvantages of SecurityTrails
While SecurityTrails offers numerous benefits, there are also some notable drawbacks:Cost
- One of the significant disadvantages is the high cost associated with the service, especially if the basic plan’s 50 requests per month are insufficient for the user’s needs.
Limited Search Capabilities
- Unlike some other tools, SecurityTrails does not offer the ability to search by the contents of DNS records, which can make it challenging to identify domains with specific matching fields. This limitation can be a significant drawback for detailed or extensive research.
Exclusive Focus on DNS Data
- The platform is limited to DNS data exclusively, which might not be sufficient for users requiring a broader range of data types for their research.
SecurityTrails - Comparison with Competitors
Comparison of SecurityTrails with Competitors
To compare SecurityTrails with its competitors in the domain tools and AI-driven product category, here are some key points and alternatives:Domain and Cybersecurity Focus
SecurityTrails is known for its comprehensive data on domain history, DNS records, IP intelligence, and other cybersecurity-related metrics. Here are some of its top competitors in this space:Cybersecurity Competitors
In the cybersecurity category, SecurityTrails API faces competition from:- Symantec: With a 31.65% market share, Symantec is a significant player in cybersecurity solutions.
- Stripe Identity: Holding a 16.58% market share, Stripe Identity is another major competitor.
- McAfee: With a 14.21% market share, McAfee is also a prominent competitor in the cybersecurity sector.
Domain Tools and WHOIS Data
When focusing on domain tools and WHOIS data, SecurityTrails has several competitors:Domain Tools Competitors
- Completedns.com: This site is one of the top competitors to SecurityTrails, offering similar domain and DNS-related services, with 48.2K visits in December 2024.
- Whoisfreaks.com: Known for providing live and historical domain records through downloadable WHOIS databases and APIs, Whoisfreaks.com had 92.1K visits in December 2024.
- Whoxy.com: Another competitor, Whoxy.com, offers WHOIS lookup services and had 194.9K visits in December 2024.
- Viewdns.info: This site ranks as the 4th most similar to SecurityTrails, with 239.9K visits in December 2024, and provides various domain and DNS tools.
Unique Features of SecurityTrails
SecurityTrails stands out with its:- Comprehensive Data: Offers extensive data on domain history, DNS records, and IP intelligence.
- API Integration: Provides APIs for accessing this data, which is crucial for automated and integrated cybersecurity solutions.
AI-Powered Domain Tools
While SecurityTrails is not primarily an AI-powered domain finder, there are other tools that leverage AI for domain selection and management:AI-Powered Alternatives
- DomainsGPT: Uses GPT language models to generate domain suggestions based on business concepts and industry-specific naming patterns.
- AI Domain Genius: Acts as a high-powered domain search engine with real-time price comparisons and advanced filtering options.
- Ultahost: Utilizes OpenAI’s GPT-4 technology to generate domain suggestions, balancing industry conventions and creative innovation.
These AI-powered tools focus more on domain selection and management rather than the cybersecurity and WHOIS data aspects that SecurityTrails specializes in.
In summary, SecurityTrails is a strong player in the domain and cybersecurity data space, but it has distinct competitors depending on whether you are looking at cybersecurity solutions or domain tools. For AI-driven domain selection, there are separate tools like DomainsGPT, AI Domain Genius, and Ultahost that offer unique features tailored to domain name selection and management.
SecurityTrails - Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about SecurityTrails, along with detailed responses to each:
What is SecurityTrails and what services does it offer?
SecurityTrails is a comprehensive security platform that helps organizations enhance their cybersecurity posture. It offers services such as DNS security monitoring, IP reputation management, and domain security monitoring. These services provide valuable insights to identify potential vulnerabilities and protect online assets.
How much does SecurityTrails cost?
The pricing for SecurityTrails varies widely. Based on Vendr’s data, the annual cost can range from around $11,000 to approximately $70,000, with an average cost of about $34,000. For specific plans, SecurityTrails offers a Professional plan at $500/month, a Business plan at $1,500/month, and an Enterprise plan that requires custom pricing.
What features are included in the SecurityTrails API?
The SecurityTrails API provides access to current and historical data on DNS records, WHOIS information, and IP-related data. Key features include DNS history, subdomain tracking, WHOIS history, and reverse DNS searching. The API allows for fast and reliable data retrieval, which can be integrated into various applications to enrich datasets and support cyber investigations.
How can Machine Learning be used with SecurityTrails?
Machine Learning (ML) can significantly enhance cybersecurity research when combined with the SecurityTrails API. ML can automate security research tasks, gather threat intelligence, and detect anomalies in real-time. It helps in identifying malicious domains, tracking the movement of malicious actors, and automating incident response workflows. ML models can analyze user behavior and SecurityTrails API data to identify suspicious activities such as changes to DNS settings or access to suspicious domains.
What is the SurfaceBrowser™ tool, and what does it offer?
SurfaceBrowser™ is a tool provided by SecurityTrails that allows users to explore the public surface of any organization. It offers features such as knowing DNS records, associated domains, IP blocks, and open ports. Users can search by company name, domains, subdomains, TLDs, registrar, DNS values, and WHOIS entries. This tool helps in managing infrastructure sprawl, finding forgotten digital assets, and conducting cyber forensics efficiently.
Are there any free options or trials available for SecurityTrails?
Yes, SecurityTrails offers a free plan that includes 50 API queries per month. This plan allows users to check current and historical DNS records, plus domain and IP data. For more extensive use, users can upgrade to the Professional or Business plans, or contact SecurityTrails for an Enterprise solution.
How does SecurityTrails help in threat intelligence gathering?
SecurityTrails aids in threat intelligence gathering by providing streamlined collection of critical threat indicators such as IP addresses, domain names, and file hashes from both public and private sources. The API and associated tools help in identifying and mitigating potential threats from malicious IPs and domains, and in detecting anomalies and deviations from baseline network activity.
Can SecurityTrails be used for cyber forensics and incident response?
Yes, SecurityTrails is highly useful for cyber forensics and incident response. The platform allows for quick and easy conduct of cyber investigations, prevention of brand attacks and digital fraud, and enhanced cyber crime investigation. ML integrated with the SecurityTrails API can automate aspects of the incident response workflow, helping to determine the severity of incidents and prioritize response efforts.
What kind of data does SecurityTrails provide?
SecurityTrails provides a vast amount of data, including 10.19 trillion historical DNS lookups, 4.2 billion historical WHOIS records, 2.6 billion total hostnames tracked, and 630 million domains tracked. This data is accessible through the API and various tools, enabling comprehensive cyber investigations and security monitoring.
Is SecurityTrails suitable for researchers and students?
While SecurityTrails is primarily aimed at security teams and organizations, researchers and students can also use its services. However, they need to contact SecurityTrails directly for special arrangements, as the standard plans are geared towards commercial use.