John Matherly is a Swiss-born programmer and bioinformatics graduate based in Seattle, Washington, United States. He is the founder of Shodan, a search engine for internet-connected devices launched in 2009. Shodan indexes exposed IoT devices, industrial control systems, webcams, and other internet-facing infrastructure, providing visibility into cybersecurity risks and the expanding Internet of Things attack surface. Developed from his interest in mapping the internet's hidden devices, his tool has been widely used by security researchers, ethical hackers, and professionals to identify vulnerabilities. Matherly has been interviewed by journalists such as Andy Greenberg on Shodan's implications for privacy and security, and he is recognized as a key figure in cybersecurity, including as a 'rock star' in Huntsville, Alabama's tech scene. He maintains a professional presence on LinkedIn.