What is Ethical Hacking: Types, Benefits, & Skills

The term ‘Hacker’ has an interesting evolution. It was initially coined to describe experts who used their skills to re-develop mainframe systems, increasing their efficiency and allowing them to multi-task. Over time, the term has come to routinely describe skilled programmers who gain unauthorized access to computer systems by exploiting weaknesses or using bugs motivated by malice or mischief. For example, hackers can create algorithms to crack passwords, penetrate networks, or disrupt network services.

The primary motive of malicious/unethical hacking involves stealing valuable information or financial gain. However, not all hacking is bad. This brings us to the second type of hacking: Ethical hacking. Unlike its malicious counterpart, ethical hacking is a practice that involves using the same techniques as malicious hackers to identify and fix security vulnerabilities. In this article, you will learn about ethical hacking and more.

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What is Ethical Hacking?

Ethical hacking is the proactive, authorized practice of detecting vulnerabilities in an application, system, or organization’s infrastructure. By bypassing system security, ethical hackers identify potential data breaches and threats in a network, aiming to prevent them before they occur. They investigate the system or network for weak points that malicious hackers can exploit or destroy, thereby improving the security footprint to withstand attacks better or divert them.

The company that owns the system or network allows Cybersecurity engineers to perform such activities to test the system’s defenses. This process is legal and meticulously planned and approved, ensuring that it is controlled and secure, in stark contrast to the illegal and disruptive nature of malicious hacking.

Ethical hackers are trying to investigate the system or network for weak points that malicious hackers can exploit or destroy. They aim to collect and analyze information to devise strategies to strengthen the system's security, network, or applications. By doing so, they can significantly enhance the security footprint, making it more resilient to attacks or even diverting them.

Organizations hire ethical hackers to investigate the vulnerabilities of their systems and networks and develop solutions to prevent data breaches. They check for critical vulnerabilities include but are not limited to:

• Injection attacks
• Changes in security settings
• Exposure to sensitive data
• Breach in authentication protocols
• Components used in the system or network

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Key Concepts of Ethical Hacking

1. Reconnaissance (Footprinting and Information Gathering)

This is the first phase of ethical hacking, in which the hacker gathers as much information as possible about the target before launching an attack. This can include passive methods like Google searches or active methods like network scanning.

2. Scanning

In this phase, ethical hackers use tools to identify vulnerabilities in the target system. Techniques like port scanning, network mapping, and vulnerability scanning are commonly used.

3. Gaining Access

This involves exploiting vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to systems. Ethical hackers use the same techniques as malicious hackers but do so with permission.

4. Maintaining Access

The ethical hacker may try to maintain their foothold in the system once access is gained. This can involve creating backdoors or installing software that allows re-entry without detection.

5. Clearing Tracks

Ethical hackers ensure they do not leave any traces of their activities. This involves clearing logs, covering up footprints, and ensuring that the target system does not detect the hacking attempt.

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6. Reporting

This is the final and most crucial phase, during which ethical hackers document their findings, including vulnerabilities discovered, methods used, and recommendations for securing the system. They then share this report with the organization to help them strengthen their defenses.

7. Penetration Testing

Ethical hackers conduct a simulated cyberattack to test a system's security. It involves the above phases and aims to identify and fix security flaws before malicious actors can exploit them.

8. Legal and Ethical Standards

Ethical hackers must adhere to strict legal and ethical guidelines, ensuring they have permission to test the systems and that their activities comply with all relevant laws and regulations.

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How Does Ethical Hacking Work?

The ethical hacking process involves analyzing an organization’s infrastructure to identify and fix vulnerabilities. Ethical hackers apply their knowledge and skills to pinpoint weak spots in IT systems, networks, databases or applications. Techniques include social engineering, web applications and servers, wireless networks, and system hacking.

Ethical hackers use tools and frameworks such as Wireshark, Metasploit Framework, Nmap, and others to execute these techniques effectively. These tools help them simulate potential attacks, analyze systems, and strengthen security measures.

Types of Ethical Hacking

Here are the primary types of ethical hacking:

1. Web Application Hacking

It involves testing web applications for vulnerabilities like SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and security misconfigurations. Ethical hackers focus on identifying flaws that could allow unauthorized access or data breaches.

2. Network Hacking

It focuses on identifying weaknesses in a network's security. This includes scanning for open ports, identifying vulnerable services, and exploiting weaknesses in network protocols to gain unauthorized access or disrupt services.

3. Wireless Network Hacking

It targets wireless networks to find and exploit Wi-Fi security protocols like WEP, WPA, and WPA2 vulnerabilities. The goal is to gain unauthorized access to the wireless network or intercept data.

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4. System Hacking

It involves hacking into individual systems to gain unauthorized access, escalate privileges, or execute malicious actions. Techniques include password cracking, exploiting system vulnerabilities, and installing malicious software.

5. Social Engineering

It exploits human psychology to gain unauthorized access to systems or information. Ethical hackers use phishing, baiting, or pretexting to trick users into revealing sensitive information or performing actions that compromise security.

6. Ethical Hacking of Mobile Platforms

It focuses on identifying vulnerabilities in mobile operating systems (iOS, Android) and applications. This includes testing for insecure data storage, insufficient transport layer protection, and weak authentication mechanisms.

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7. Physical Hacking

It involves gaining unauthorized physical access to facilities or devices. Ethical hackers may test the security of physical entry points, such as doors, locks, and biometric systems, to identify vulnerabilities that could allow unauthorized access.

8. Cloud Security Testing

It involves assessing the security of cloud infrastructure, applications, and services. Ethical hackers test for misconfigurations, insecure APIs, and other vulnerabilities that could be exploited in a cloud environment.

9. IoT (Internet of Things) Hacking

It focuses on identifying security flaws in IoT devices and networks. This includes testing the security of smart devices, wearable technology, and other connected devices to prevent unauthorized access and data breaches.

10. Reverse Engineering

It involves analyzing software or hardware to discover vulnerabilities, understand how it works, or develop exploits. Ethical hackers use reverse engineering to uncover hidden flaws or malicious code within applications or firmware.

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Ethical Hacking Methodologies

1. Reconnaissance
2. Scanning
3. Gaining Access
4. Maintaining Access
5. Clearing Track

What Are the Different Types of Hackers?

Here are the different types of hackers:

• White Hat Hackers: Ethical hackers who use their skills to identify and fix security vulnerabilities for organizations. They work with permission and follow legal guidelines.
• Black Hat Hackers: Malicious hackers who exploit vulnerabilities for personal gain, causing harm to individuals, organizations, or systems. They operate illegally.
• Grey Hat Hackers: Hackers who fall between white and black hats. They may exploit vulnerabilities without permission but usually with no malicious intent, often revealing flaws publicly or to the organization afterward.
• Script Kiddies: Inexperienced hackers who use pre-written scripts or tools to carry out attacks, often needing a deep understanding of the underlying technology.
• Hacktivists: Hackers who use their skills to promote political or social causes. They often deface websites or release sensitive information to support their agenda.
• State-sponsored Hackers: Hackers employed or sponsored by governments to conduct espionage, cyber warfare, or surveillance activities against other nations, organizations, or individuals.
• Cybercriminals: Hackers who engage in illegal activities for financial gain, such as stealing credit card information, conducting ransomware attacks, or running phishing scams.
• Insider Threats: Employees or individuals within an organization who misuse their access to systems and data intentionally or unintentionally for malicious purposes or personal gain.
• Whistleblower Hackers: Individuals who expose unethical or illegal activities within organizations by hacking into systems and leaking sensitive information to the public or authorities.
• Red Hat Hackers: Vigilante hackers who target black hat hackers and cybercriminals, often using aggressive methods to shut down their operations.
• Blue Hat Hackers: Security professionals invited by organizations to test their systems for vulnerabilities. They are typically not employed by the organization but are external experts.

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What Qualifications Do You Need to Become an Ethical Hacker?

Here are the qualifications that will give direction to your ethical hacking career:

Obtain a Degree

If you aim to become an ethical hacker, choose the path that builds your foundation. Hence, a graduation degree in a related field, such as computer science or computer applications, is essential.

Succeed it by choosing a course or bootcamp that builds your grasp of cybersecurity concepts. It must also expose people to different types of ethical hacking. Gaining practical exposure at this stage is a plus and helps enhance your understanding. Also, utilize the time to get familiar with the industry.

Develop Skills

Ethical hacking is an application-based field. Hence, developing both technical and soft skills helps in the long run. Technical skills include proficiency with programming languages, network protocols, architecture and vulnerability identification.

It also includes gaining exposure to advanced computer knowledge. Soft skills encompass problem-solving ability, analytical skills and an eye for detail. Communication and a strong sense of ethics are also essential.

Gain Experience

It helps to showcase your practical abilities while helping you learn a lot. Participate in hackathons, apply for internships and jobs and contribute to projects to gain demonstrated experience.

Earn Certifications

Certifications are among the best ways to showcase your knowledge and skill set. They offer a positive impact on your resume, along with global recognition. Learn the various exams and choose the one that matches your goals and skill set. Prepare dedicatedly and ace the same for a better career.

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The global cyber security market is expected to reach $266.2 billion by 2027.

What are the Roles and Responsibilities of an Ethical Hacker?

Ethical hackers must follow specific guidelines to perform hacking legally. A good hacker knows their responsibility and adheres to all ethical guidelines. Here are the most important rules of ethical hacking:

• An ethical hacker must obtain complete approval from the system's owner before performing any security assessment on the system or network.
• Determine the scope of their assessment and make known their plan to the organization.
• Report any security breaches and vulnerabilities found in the system or network.
• Ethical hackers should keep their discoveries confidential. Since they aim to secure the system or network, they should agree to and respect their non-disclosure agreement.
• After checking the system for vulnerabilities, erase all traces of the hack. This prevents malicious hackers from entering the system through the identified loopholes.

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Key Benefits of Ethical Hacking

• Ethical hacking helps organizations discover security flaws in their systems, applications, and networks before malicious hackers can exploit them.
• Ethical hacking helps prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data by proactively testing security measures and reducing the risk of data breaches.
• Regular ethical hacking assessments enable organizations to strengthen their security posture by addressing identified vulnerabilities and implementing best practices.
• Ethical hacking helps organizations demonstrate a commitment to security and data protection and meet regulatory and industry standards, such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS.
• By prioritizing security through ethical hacking, organizations can enhance their reputation and build trust with customers, showing they are committed to safeguarding their information.
• Ethical hacking provides valuable insights into potential attack vectors, helping organizations train employees and raise awareness about security risks.
• Identifying and fixing vulnerabilities early through ethical hacking can save organizations significant costs associated with data breaches, legal liabilities, and reputation damage.
• Ethical hacking allows organizations to approach risk management proactively, identifying and mitigating potential threats before they become critical issues.
• Ethical hacking can help organizations improve their incident response plans by simulating real-world attacks and testing the effectiveness of their defenses.
• Ethical hacking supports innovation by ensuring the security of new products and services and helps organizations launch new initiatives confidently.

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Skills Required to Become an Ethical Hacker

1. Strong Knowledge of Networking

Understanding network protocols, IP addressing, subnetting, firewalls, VPNs, and network security devices is essential for identifying and exploiting network vulnerabilities.

2. Proficiency in Programming and Scripting

Knowledge of programming languages like Python, Java, and C++ and scripting languages like Bash or PowerShell is crucial for writing exploits, automating tasks, and understanding how software vulnerabilities arise.

3. Familiarity with OS

Expertise in different operating systems, especially Linux, Windows, and macOS, as ethical hackers need to navigate and exploit these environments.

4. Understanding of Security Tools

Proficiency in using various security tools like Nmap, Metasploit, Wireshark, Burp Suite, and Nessus for scanning, penetration testing, and vulnerability assessment.

5. Knowledge of Cryptography

Understanding cryptographic techniques and algorithms and how they can be used or broken is vital for securing data and identifying potential weaknesses in encryption protocols.

6. Awareness of Cybersecurity Trends

Staying updated with the latest threats, attack techniques, and security technologies is crucial for effective, ethical hacking.

7. Understanding of Web Technologies

Knowledge of web development, HTML, JavaScript, and SQL is essential for identifying and exploiting web application vulnerabilities like SQL injection and XSS.

8. Social Engineering Tactics

Familiarity with social engineering techniques to understand how attackers exploit human psychology to gain unauthorized access.

9. Certifications

Earning certifications such as Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP), or Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) can validate and enhance your skills in the field.

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Career Opportunities in Ethical Hacking

There are many opportunities for specialization in different types of ethical hacking. Here are the insights into a few of them:

Penetration Tester: These professionals are concerned with identifying vulnerabilities in the security system. They simulate cyber attacks to perform the stated task. Further, they are tasked with developing reports and recommending the security processes and risks.

Security Consultants: They are tasked with reducing the chances of cyber attacks. The security consultants offer insights through their knowledge and experience while evaluating the existing security systems for possible risks. They look to find the black hat hackers.

Information Security Analyst: This role includes penetration testing, reporting, monitoring and installing defense systems such as virus protection, firewalls and data encryption. The analyst also troubleshoots security and access issues.

Security Engineer: They are concerned with developing technology that protects the organization. It involves working on architecture and designing safety measures to ensure protection. Additionally, they look for areas of optimization while contributing to testing systems for vulnerability assessment.

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Top Ethical Hacking Certifications

The top Ethical Hacking certifications to consider are as follows:

1. CEH Certification - Certified Ethical Hacking Course

Check out the CEH Certification program, which offers exposure to cybersecurity concepts directly from the EC Council's CEH course and accredited trainers. The program involves learning AI-driven processes and tools for threat detection and countermeasures. It also offers candidates the platform to enhance their network packet analysis and system penetration testing skills.

Accredited by the EC Council, this course involves the academic exam fee and the CEH v13 exam voucher. Also, the candidates get 6 months of free access to labs for hands-on practice. The program features around 20 vital security domains and is also available in a corporate training format.

2. Cyber Security Expert Masters Program 

Step into becoming a cybersecurity expert with the Cyber Security Expert Masters Program aligned with CompTIA, CISSP and EC Council. Enrollment in the program includes access to CEH v13 AI, CEH exam vouchers and integrated hands-on lab experience. It also includes advanced cybersecurity techniques with over 30 in-demand and specialized tools.

Limitations of Ethical Hacking

1. Scope and Permission Constraints
2. Time and Resource Limitations
3. Potential for Human Error
4. Evolving Threat Landscape
5. Reliance on Tools