What is Ethical Hacking – A Complete Guide

The term hacking has been around for a long time now. The first recorded instance of hacking dates back to the early 1960s in MIT where both the terms, ‘Hacking’ and ‘Hacker’ were coined. Since then, hacking has evolved into a broadly followed discipline for the computing community. In this “What is Ethical Hacking” article, we are going to go through the fundamentals of Ethical Hacking!

The following topics are discussed in this blog:
What is Ethical Hacking?

• What is Ethical Hacking?
• Key Benefits of Ethical Hacking
• What are the types of Hackers?
• What are the types of Hacking?
• Skills and Certifications for an Ethical Hacker
• What’s the process of hacking?
• FAQs
• Conclusion

What is Ethical Hacking?

Definition: Ethical hacking involves an authorized attempt to gain unauthorized access to a computer system, application, or data. Carrying out an ethical hack involves duplicating the strategies and actions of malicious attackers. This practice helps to identify security vulnerabilities which can then be resolved before a malicious attacker has the opportunity to exploit them.

Hacking is the process of finding vulnerabilities in a system and using these found vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access into the system to perform malicious activities ranging from deleting system files to stealing sensitive information. Hacking is illegal and can lead to extreme consequences if you are caught in the act. People have been sentenced to years of imprisonment because of hacking.

Nonetheless, hacking can be legal if done with permission. Computer experts are often hired by companies to hack into their system to find vulnerabilities and weak endpoints so that they can be fixed. This is done as a precautionary measure against legitimate hackers who have malicious intent. Such people, who hack into a system with permission, without any malicious intent, are known as ethical hackers and the process is known as ethical hacking.

So now that we know what exactly ethical hacking is, and who ethical hackers are. Go through our Ethical Hacking Course to explore more about ethical hacking. This course will teach you the most current hacking techniques, tools, and methods that hackers use.

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Key Benefits of Ethical Hacking?

To learn about ethical hacking, it is important to understand the mindset and techniques of both black hat hackers and ethical testers. This knowledge can be applied by security professionals across various industries and sectors, including network defense, risk management, and quality assurance testing. 

The primary benefit of learning ethical hacking is the ability to improve the security of corporate networks by identifying and correcting vulnerabilities. Understanding how hackers operate can help network defenders prioritize risks and implement effective remediation strategies. Additionally, obtaining training or certifications in ethical hacking can be beneficial for those looking to enter the security field or demonstrate their skills and expertise to their organization.

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You have now understood who ethical hackers are and what ethical hackers do. Now, let’s see the different types of ethical hackers that are commonly seen.

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Let’s go over the different types of hackers. 

What are the types of Hackers?

Hackers can be segregated according to their intent.

 White Hat Hacker 

It is another name for an Ethical Hacker. They hack into a system with prior permission to find out vulnerabilities so that they can be fixed before a person with malicious intent finds them.

Black Hat Hacker

They are also known as crackers, who hack in order to gain unauthorized access to a system & harm its operations or steal sensitive information. It’s always illegal because of its malicious intent which includes stealing corporate data, violating privacy, damaging the system, etc.

Grey Hat Hacker

They are a blend of both black hat and white hat hackers. They mostly hack for fun and exploit a security weakness in a computer system or network without the owner’s permission or knowledge. Their intent is to bring the weakness to the attention of the owners & earning some bug bounty.

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What are the different types of hacking?

Now that we have discussed the various types of Hackers, let’s go over the different types of hacking. We can segregate hacking into different types depending on what the hacker is trying to achieve.

Website Hacking

Hacking a website means taking unauthorized control over a web server and its associated software such as databases and other interfaces.

Network Hacking

Hacking a network means gathering information about a network by using tools like Telnet, NS lookup, Ping, Tracert, Netstat, etc. with the intent to harm the network system and hamper its operation.

Email Hacking

This includes gaining unauthorized access to an Email account and using it without taking the consent of its owner for sending out spam links, third-party threats, and other such harmful activities.

Password Hacking

This is the process of recovering secret passwords from data that has been stored in or transmitted by a computer system.

Computer Hacking

This is the process of stealing computer IDs and passwords by applying hacking methods and getting unauthorized access to a computer system.

What’s the process of hacking?

Ethical hacking involves simulating an attack on an organization’s IT assets in order to evaluate the security of those assets. The goal is to gather as much data as possible through reconnaissance and then use that data to scan the assets for vulnerabilities. Both automated and manual testing methods may be used in this process, as even advanced systems may have weaknesses that can be exploited. Once vulnerabilities are discovered, ethical hackers may demonstrate how they could be exploited by malevolent actors. Some common vulnerabilities that ethical hackers have encountered include:

• Injection attacks
• Broken authentication
• Security misconfigurations
• Use of components with known vulnerabilities
• Sensitive data exposure

After completing the testing process, ethical hackers create a comprehensive report outlining any vulnerabilities that were discovered, along with recommendations for how to fix or mitigate those vulnerabilities. This report may include details about the steps that were taken to exploit the vulnerabilities, as well as recommended remediation actions.

Skills and Certifications of an ethical Hacker

Ethical hackers should possess a diverse set of computer skills and may specialize in a particular area within the ethical hacking domain. To be effective in their roles, ethical hackers should have

• Expertise in scripting languages.
• Proficiency in operating systems.
• Thorough knowledge of networking.
• A solid foundation in the principles of information security.

1. Technical Skills:

   • Programming Languages: Proficiency in languages such as Python, JavaScript, Java, C, or C++ is crucial for understanding the backend of applications and for scripting.
   • Networking Skills: Understanding network protocols, VPNs, firewalls, and common vulnerabilities in networks.
   • Operating Systems: Deep knowledge of operating systems, especially Linux and Windows, including command-line usage and system administration.
   • Cybersecurity Fundamentals: Knowledge of security principles, threats, vulnerabilities, and countermeasures.
   • Penetration Testing: Skills in conducting penetration tests to identify vulnerabilities in networks, systems, and web applications.

2. Analytical Skills:

   • Vulnerability Assessment: Ability to analyze the security of systems or applications and identify potential vulnerabilities.
   • Problem-Solving: Strong problem-solving abilities to think creatively about how to breach security systems and prevent attacks.
   • Attention to Detail: Keen observation skills to spot anomalies and small changes that might indicate a security issue.

3. Soft Skills:

   • Ethical Integrity: Strong ethical principles to handle sensitive information responsibly.
   • Communication Skills: Ability to communicate findings, risks, and recommendations effectively to non-technical stakeholders.
   • Continuous Learning: Keeping up-to-date with the latest security trends, attack techniques, and defensive tactics.

4. Additional Skills:

   • Cryptography: Understanding encryption and decryption is beneficial, especially in securing data transmission.
   • Forensics Skills: Knowledge of forensic investigation techniques to understand attacks and track intruders.
   • Legal Knowledge: Awareness of legal constraints and compliance related to cybersecurity and data protection.

Some of the most well-known and acquired certifications include:

• EC Council: Certified Ethical Hacking Certification
• Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) Certification
• CompTIA Security+
• Cisco’s CCNA Security
• SANS GIAC

These certifications are some of the most commonly requested qualifications for jobs in these fields. Edureka provides training for some of these certifications and also has master’s programs that in themselves can help you get a job. To know more about this, click here. 

What are the Limitations of Hacking?

Ethical hacking has certain limitations that set it apart from malicious hacking. 

One key limitation is the defined scope of the testing, which means that ethical hackers cannot go beyond a certain boundary in order to make an attack successful. However, it may be appropriate to discuss potential attacks that fall outside of the defined scope with the organization. 

Another limitation is the availability of resources, such as time and budget, which may be more constrained for ethical hackers than for malicious hackers. 

Additionally, ethical hackers may be required to adhere to certain restrictions on the methods they can use, such as avoiding test cases that could cause servers to crash (e.g., denial of service attacks).

FAQs

1. What is Ethical Hacking?

Ethical hacking involves legally breaking into computers and devices to test an organization’s defenses. It’s also known as penetration testing or white-hat hacking.

2. Who is an Ethical Hacker?

An ethical hacker is a computer security expert who systematically attempts to penetrate a computer system, network, or application on behalf of its owners to find security vulnerabilities.

3. Can Ethical Hacking be a good career?

Yes, it’s a growing field with increasing demand for professionals in various sectors like IT, banking, government, and healthcare.

4. What is the Average Salary of an Ethical Hacker?

The average monthly salary of an Ethical hacker in India is ₹519,337 per year as per Payscale reports. The monthly average salary ranges from 24T to 1L as per Glassdoor.

5. What’s the Difference Between Ethical Hackers and Hackers?

Ethical hackers have authorization to break into the systems and look for weaknesses, unlike malicious hackers who illegally breach systems to steal or damage data.

6. What Skills Are Required to Become an Ethical Hacker?

Essential skills include programming, networking, and database management knowledge, along with a thorough understanding of security protocols and measures.

7. Are There Certifications for Ethical Hacking?

Yes, certifications like Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP), and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) are recognized in the field.

8. Is Ethical Hacking Legal?

Ethical hacking is legal as it is performed with the permission of the organization or individual who owns the system.

9. What are Common Ethical Hacking Techniques?

Techniques include vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, social engineering tests, and security audits.

10. Why is Ethical Hacking Important?

It helps organizations identify and fix security vulnerabilities, preventing breaches and protecting sensitive data.

11. Can Ethical Hacking Be a Career?

Yes, it’s a growing field with increasing demand for professionals in various sectors like IT, banking, government, and healthcare.

12. What is the Role of an Ethical Hacker in an Organization?

Ethical hackers assess the security posture of an organization, report vulnerabilities, suggest improvements, and sometimes help in implementing these security measures.

13. How Does Ethical Hacking Differ from Penetration Testing?

Ethical hacking is broader, covering all methods to find system vulnerabilities, while penetration testing is a focused attempt to exploit these vulnerabilities.

14. What Kind of Companies Hire Ethical Hackers?

A wide range of organizations, including government agencies, financial institutions, healthcare organizations, and IT companies, hire ethical hackers for security.

15. Are There Different Types of Ethical Hackers?

Yes, based on their roles and methods, ethical hackers can be classified as white hat, grey hat, or black hat, with white hat being the legal and ethical one.

16. How Do Ethical Hackers Report Their Findings?

They provide detailed reports including the vulnerabilities found, the methods used to exploit them, and recommendations for remediation.

17. What Are the Ethical Guidelines for Ethical Hackers?

Ethical hackers must obtain proper authorization, respect privacy, report all findings, and avoid data damage.

18. Can Anyone Become an Ethical Hacker?

With the proper training, skills, and ethical mindset, anyone can aim to become an ethical hacker. However, a strong background in IT and security is often essential.

19. What is the Future Scope of Ethical Hacking?

As cybersecurity threats evolve, the demand for ethical hackers is expected to grow, making it a field with strong future potential.

20. Do Ethical Hackers Need to Know Programming?

Yes, knowledge of programming languages like Python, JavaScript, SQL, and C++ is often crucial for understanding and exploiting system vulnerabilities.

21. What Are Common Tools Used by Ethical Hackers?

Ethical hackers commonly use tools like Nmap for network mapping, Metasploit for vulnerability exploitation, Wireshark for packet analysis, and Burp Suite for web application security.

Conclusion

Okay, guys, this brings us to the end of this “What is Ethical Hacking?” blog. This is the first blog in a long list of ethical hacking blogs that I’m going to publish. For more information regarding cybersecurity, you could check out my other blogs. If you have any doubts or queries regarding this particular article, leave a comment in the comments section below!

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