Ethical Hacking 101

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6 Oct 2022
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Photo by Arian Darvishi on Unsplash


"Ethical hacking" has become a buzzword in the information security community. Eric S. Raymond first coined the term in an article titled "The Hacker's Dictionary."

Ethical hacking is used to improve the security of a system or network by identifying and fixing vulnerabilities.

This testing is important because it can help organizations find and fix vulnerabilities before malicious hackers can exploit them.

If you're interested in becoming an ethical hacker, there are a few things you need to know.

What means Ethics or Ethical?

Ethics are a set of moral principles that govern how people behave. They provide a guide for what is right and wrong. People can use ethics to decide how to live and run their businesses.

There are different ethical systems, but they all have some basic features. For example, ethics usually involve three main components: rules or principles, decision-making guidelines, and consequences.

There are many different ways to be ethical. For example, some people believe that being ethical means following the law. Others believe that ethical means doing what is best for others, even if it means breaking the law.

Whatever your beliefs about ethics, it is important to think about them carefully and act in ways you believe are right.

What means Hacking?

Hacking often refers to illegal activities because it can be used to gain unauthorized access to systems. This can include breaking into computers, accessing confidential information, or causing damage to systems.

Hackers may do this for personal gain, to cause disruption, or out of malicious intent.

However, hacking can also refer to legitimate activities like finding ways to improve systems or developing new applications. In these cases, hackers use their skills to find creative solutions or improve. Therefore, this type of hacking is often seen as positive and beneficial.

Overall, hacking refers to any activity that involves modifying or manipulating systems.

What is Ethical Hacking?

Ethical hacking is a term used to describe the act of locating weaknesses and vulnerabilities in computer systems and networks and then designing and carrying out tests to determine what could happen if someone with malicious intent were to exploit the vulnerabilities.

Ethical hacking and subverting the internet | TEDxBerlinSalon


The goal of ethical hacking is to help organizations improve their security by finding and fixing vulnerabilities before cyber criminals can exploit them.

Why Learn Ethical Hacking?

In an era where digital information is increasingly vulnerable to malicious attacks, ethical hacking has become an invaluable skill for anyone looking to enter the IT field.

By learning how to identify and exploit weaknesses in computer systems, ethical hackers can help organizations prevent major data breaches.

Despite its negative connotations, hacking can be used for good: ethical hackers are often able to find security vulnerabilities before criminals do. This allows companies to patch these holes and prevents sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands.

Learning ethical hacking is a must for anyone interested in a career in IT. Not only will it give you a better understanding of how computer systems work, but it will also make you more valuable to employers.

In addition, with the right skill set, you can help protect organizations from devastating data breaches—and that’s something everyone can feel good about.

What Do You need to Get Started?

Many companies hire ethical hackers to help them find vulnerabilities in their systems before malicious hackers do. Ethical hacking can be a lucrative career for those with the skills to do it.

If you're interested in becoming an ethical hacker, there are a few things you need to do.

First, you need to have a strong understanding of computer networks and how they work.
Second, you need to be proficient in at least one programming language.

Third, you need to be able to think like a malicious hacker - what would they do to gain access to a system? Finally, you need to have strong problem-solving skills.

If you have all of these skills, then you're ready to get started in ethical hacking!

The Types of Hackers

There are, broadly speaking, three types of hackers: white hat, black hat, and gray hat.

1.White hat hackers are the good guys. They find vulnerabilities in systems and then report them to the owners so they can be fixed before anyone can exploit them.

2.Black hat hackers are the bad guys. They find vulnerabilities in systems and then exploit them for criminal gain.

3.Gray hat hackers fall somewhere in between. They may sometimes act without permission, but their intent is not always malicious.

The type of ethical hacking you choose to do depends largely on your ethical code.

Some people believe that all hacking is wrong, regardless of intent. Others believe that anything goes as long as you don't cause direct harm.

Ultimately, it's up to you to decide what you're comfortable with.

The Types of Ethical Hacking

There are many different types of hacking, but they can generally be divided into five categories: system hacking, network hacking, web app hacking, social engineering, and wireless net hacking.

1.System hacking is the act of gaining unauthorized access to a computer system. This can be done by exploiting vulnerabilities in the system’s software or hardware. Once a hacker has gained access to a system, they can wreak havoc by deleting files, stealing data, or causing the system to crash.

2.Network hacking: involves exploiting weaknesses in a computer network to gain access to sensitive data or disrupt service. This type of hacking can be used to steal confidential information, launch denial-of-service attacks, or even take control of entire networks.

3.Web app hacking is the act of compromising a website or web application to gain access to sensitive data or disrupt service.

4.Social engineering: is the process of tricking someone into giving you information or access that you should not have. This can be done in person, over the phone, or online.

5.Wireless net hacking is the act of accessing a wireless network without permission. This can be done by cracking the network’s password or using another method to bypass security.

6.Web server hacking: is the process of gaining access to a web server without permission. This can be done by exploiting server software vulnerabilities or guessing administrator passwords.

Final Thought

As the world progresses, everything is moving towards a digital age. Along with this age comes new opportunities for those skilled in computers and technology. One such opportunity is ethical hacking.

Ethical hacking skills are becoming increasingly important for IT professionals. With the rise of cybercrime, companies are starting to realize how vulnerable their systems are. They need people who can help them find and fix these vulnerabilities before hackers find and exploit them.

Ethical hacking skills are important not only for IT professionals but for anyone who uses computers and networks daily. As we become more reliant on technology, we need to be aware of the dangers that come with it.

References

I originally published it on my cybersecurity blog, InCyb3r.

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