SpiderFoot Online (2026): How to Use SpiderFoot in Your Browser Safely

Quick answer: There is no official free “SpiderFoot online” website where you can just type a target. To use SpiderFoot online, you either host the free open-source version yourself on a cloud server (VPS) and open it in your browser, or use the commercial hosted platform now offered by Intel 471 (formerly SpiderFoot HX). Be careful with random public SpiderFoot instances: whoever runs them can see every target you scan.

People search for “SpiderFoot online” because they want OSINT automation without installing anything on their own computer. That is a fair goal. This guide explains every realistic option in 2026, shows you how to put SpiderFoot online safely on your own server in about 15 minutes, and covers the security basics so your investigations stay private.

Key Takeaways

• SpiderFoot is a web-based tool: even a local install runs in your browser.
• The safest “online” option is your own VPS running SpiderFoot in Docker, accessed through an SSH tunnel or HTTPS with a password.
• A commercial, fully hosted version exists for teams that want no server work.
• Avoid unknown public instances. They can log your targets and results.
• Always scan only what you own or are authorised to investigate.

What Does “SpiderFoot Online” Really Mean?

SpiderFoot runs a small web server and you use it through a browser. When it runs on your laptop, you open http://127.0.0.1:5001. When it runs on a cloud server, you open that server’s address instead, from any device, anywhere. So “SpiderFoot online” usually means one of these:

Option 1: Host SpiderFoot Online on Your Own Server (Recommended)

A small cloud server with 2 vCPUs and 4 GB RAM running Ubuntu is plenty for most scans. Any provider works.

Step 1: Install Docker on the server

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt install -y docker.io git
sudo systemctl enable --now docker

Step 2: Build and run SpiderFoot, bound to localhost only

git clone https://github.com/smicallef/spiderfoot.git
cd spiderfoot
sudo docker build -t spiderfoot .
sudo docker run -d --restart unless-stopped -p 127.0.0.1:5001:5001 --name spiderfoot spiderfoot

Binding to 127.0.0.1 means SpiderFoot is not open to the whole internet. You reach it securely in the next step.

Step 3: Open it securely from your computer

Option A – SSH tunnel (simplest and very secure):

ssh -L 5001:127.0.0.1:5001 user@YOUR_SERVER_IP

Leave that window open and visit http://127.0.0.1:5001 on your own computer. The traffic travels encrypted through SSH.

Option B – HTTPS with a password (for team access): put a reverse proxy such as Nginx or Caddy in front of SpiderFoot, add a TLS certificate (for example from Let’s Encrypt) and enable password protection. SpiderFoot also supports its own basic authentication through a passwd file in its data folder.

Step 4: Harden the server

• Allow only SSH (and HTTPS if you use Option B) in the firewall: sudo ufw allow OpenSSH && sudo ufw enable.
• Use SSH keys, not passwords.
• Keep the OS and Docker updated.
• Back up or export scan results you need, and delete the rest.

Need other install routes? See our full SpiderFoot install guide for Windows, Mac, Linux and Docker.

Option 2: Use the Commercial Hosted Version

SpiderFoot’s creator also built a commercial cloud edition, SpiderFoot HX, which was acquired by threat-intelligence company Intel 471 in 2022. The hosted product adds things the open-source tool does not have out of the box, such as multi-user collaboration, continuous monitoring, an API and managed infrastructure. Features and pricing change, so check Intel 471’s website for current plans. It suits organisations that want OSINT automation without running servers.

Option 3: Run It Locally and Use It in Your Browser

If you only want to “use it in a browser”, a local install already does that. It is free, private and takes about ten minutes. Kali users can install it with one command using our SpiderFoot Kali guide, and Android users can follow our SpiderFoot Termux guide.

Why You Should Avoid Random Public SpiderFoot Instances

Search engines sometimes index SpiderFoot servers that people left open. Using them is risky:

• Your targets are visible to the owner and to anyone else using that instance.
• Results are stored on their server, which may include personal data.
• You may break the law or terms of service by using a system you are not authorised to use.
• Results can be tampered with or incomplete.

If you run your own server, the same logic applies in reverse: never leave SpiderFoot open to the internet without authentication. Read more in how secure SpiderFoot scan data is.

Your First Online Scan

1. Open your SpiderFoot address and click New Scan.
2. Enter a target you own, such as your domain.
3. Choose By Use Case → Passive.
4. Click Run Scan Now, then review the Correlations tab first.
5. Export results as CSV or JSON.

For a full walkthrough, follow our SpiderFoot tutorial for beginners.

What You Can Investigate With SpiderFoot

• Cybersecurity: attack-surface mapping, exposed services, leaked credentials, phishing domains.
• Threat intelligence: checking IPs and domains against blacklists and malware feeds.
• Brand protection: look-alike domains and impersonation.
• Personal privacy: auditing your own digital footprint.
• Due diligence: background research on companies and infrastructure.

See every supported input in what targets SpiderFoot can analyze, and how it serves both offensive and defensive security.

Cloud Server Tips for Better Scans

• Add API keys in Settings for richer data. See SpiderFoot modules and data sources.
• Watch rate limits. Some sources block cloud IP ranges or throttle heavy use.
• Use the CLI for scheduled scans. Our SpiderFoot commands guide shows how.
• Check your provider’s acceptable use policy before running heavy scans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

“SpiderFoot online” is best done on your own terms. Host the free open-source version on a small cloud server with Docker, keep it behind an SSH tunnel or HTTPS with a password, and you get a private OSINT platform you can open from anywhere. If you need a managed, team-ready service, look at the commercial hosted edition. Either way, skip unknown public instances and keep your investigations private.