Hacking is a fairly broad field that includes a variety of topics and has been a part of computing for about five decades. At MIT, the first known instance of hacking occurred in 1960, also the year the word “Hacker” was coined.
Ethical hacking, also known as “white hat” hacking, is the practice of using the same methods and techniques as malicious hackers, but for legitimate and legal purposes. Ethical hackers are employed by organizations to test and secure their computer systems, networks, and applications. They do this by simulating an attack on the system to identify vulnerabilities that a real attacker could exploit. Once these vulnerabilities are identified, the ethical hacker works with the organization to develop solutions to fix the problems and strengthen the security of the system. The main goal of ethical hacking is to improve the overall security of the system, whereas unauthorized or illegal hacking is to gain unauthorized access or cause harm.
Ethical hacking is an important part of a comprehensive security strategy for organizations of all types and sizes. Ethical hackers use a variety of tools and techniques to assess the security of systems, such as network scanning, vulnerability assessments, and penetration testing. They may also use social engineering tactics to test an organization’s defence against phishing attacks and other types of malicious intent.
Ethical hackers often have a background in computer science or information technology and are trained in the same methods and techniques used by malicious hackers. They are also familiar with industry standards and best practices for information security, such as the OWASP Top 10 and the NIST Cyber security Framework.
It is important to note that ethical hackers must always have a clear and legal authorization for their activities, and must act in compliance with laws and regulations, any violations of which would make their activity illegal.
Additionally, their final report should contain the vulnerabilities found and their level of severity, proof of concept and recommendations for mitigation. This will help the organization take action to fix the issues and improve their security posture.
Who is an Ethical Hacker?
An ethical hacker, also known as a “white hat” hacker, is an individual who uses the same methods and techniques as malicious hackers, but for legitimate and legal purposes. They are typically employed by organizations to test and secure their computer systems, networks, and applications. Ethical hackers may also work as independent consultants or be part of a company’s internal security team.
An ethical hacker typically has a background in computer science, information technology, or a related field, and has knowledge of various security tools, techniques and standards. They are trained to identify vulnerabilities in systems and develop solutions to fix them, using the same methods and techniques that malicious hackers use, but following a set of ethical principles.
An ethical hacker should always have a clear and legal authorization for their activities and must act in compliance with laws and regulations, any violations of which would make their activity illegal. They are accountable for their actions, if they cause any unauthorized access or cause harm in the course of their testing, they will be held liable by both legal and company consequences.
An ethical hacker should also be well-versed in industry standards and best practices for information security, such as the OWASP Top 10 and the NIST Cyber security Framework.
How do Evil Hackers differ from ethical Hackers?
Ethical hackers utilise their expertise to protect and advance the technology used by businesses. By searching for flaws that could result in a security breach, they offer these businesses a crucial service.
The vulnerabilities found are reported to the company by an ethical hacker. They also offer suggestions for correction. In many instances, the ethical hacker conducts a re-test with the organization’s permission to make sure the vulnerabilities are completely fixed.
For financial gain or personal acclaim, malicious hackers want to acquire unauthorised access to a resource (the more sensitive the better). For amusement, to harm their reputations, or to suffer financial loss, some hostile hackers deface websites or crash backend systems. The techniques employed and vulnerabilities discovered go undetected. They have little interest in enhancing the security posture of the company.
What does Ethical Hacker identify?
Ethical hacking tries to imitate an attacker while evaluating the security of an organization’s IT asset(s). They do this while searching for ways to strike the target. The initial objective is to conduct reconnaissance and collect as much data as you can.
Once the ethical hacker has gathered enough data, they use it to scan the asset for weaknesses. They use both automated and manual testing to complete this assessment. Even complicated systems may have vulnerable complex countermeasure technology.
They continue after finding weaknesses. Exploits against the vulnerabilities are used by ethical hackers to demonstrate how a malevolent attacker could utilize it.
The following are some of the most typical vulnerabilities that ethical hackers have found:
- Injection Attacks
- Authentication problems
- Misconfigurations of security
- use of components known to be vulnerable
- Exposed sensitive data.
Career in ethical hacking: How can I get started?
A career in ethical hacking can be an exciting and challenging field with a lot of opportunities. If you’re interested in getting started, here are a few steps you can take:
- Get an education in computer science or a related field: A background in computer science or information technology will provide you with a solid foundation for understanding the technical aspects of ethical hacking.
- Learn about the basics of networking and operating systems: Familiarize yourself with the different types of networks and operating systems, as well as the most common security vulnerabilities associated with them.
- Get hands-on experience: Learn about and use different types of security tools and techniques. There are many free and open-source tools available online that you can use to practice ethical hacking. This will give you the chance to practice and develop your skills.
- Get certified: Obtaining a certification such as Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH), etc, will demonstrate that you have a certain level of knowledge and skills in the field.
- Network and look for job opportunities: Building a professional network will be useful to find job opportunities. Many companies advertise their open positions through professional networks, job boards, and recruitment agencies.
- Learn the law: It is important to understand the legal aspects of ethical hacking, including laws and regulations, industry standards, and best practices. This will help you to understand the limits of your activities and to act within legal boundaries, and will also help you to understand the consequences if you break the law.
Please also note that like any other job, it is also beneficial to have a good understanding of the general business and industry as well, which will help you understand the context of your work.
Keep in mind that the field of ethical hacking is constantly evolving, so it’s important to stay current with new security threats, tools, and techniques.
You can Enroll into anyone of the below mentioned course to start making career in Ethical Hacking. Almost all trainers will assist you in guiding right path to make career in this field.
