WHAT IS ETHICAL HACKING?
Explaining
Ethical hacking is the process of identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in a computer system or network for the purpose of testing and improving the security of the system. The term “ethical hacking” was coined by Mark Abene in 1995, when he used it to describe his work as a white hat hacker for the computer security company Atrium. Ethical hacking is also sometimes referred to as penetration testing, intrusion testing, or red teaming. While ethical hacking can be used for good, it can also be used for malicious purposes. Hackers who use their skills for evil are often called black hat hackers. Black hat hackers may use ethical hacking techniques to steal data, plant malware, or commit other cybercrimes.
Ethical hacking is the practice of testing
a computer system, network, or application to find vulnerabilities that could
be exploited by malicious hackers. Ethical hackers use the same tools and
techniques as malicious hackers, but they do so with permission from the owner
of the system and with the intent to improve security.
The goal of ethical hacking is to help
organizations identify and fix potential security weaknesses before they can be
exploited by attackers. By finding and exploiting vulnerabilities in systems,
ethical hackers can help organizations understand where their security needs
improvement.
Organizations often hire ethical hackers to
carry out penetration tests, which are simulated attacks that are designed to
find vulnerabilities in systems. Ethical hackers may also be hired to conduct
social engineering tests, which aim to test an organization's ability to defend
against phishing and other types of attacks that exploit human weaknesses.
Types of Ethical Hacking
Ethical hacking is a tool that can be used for good or bad. It all depends on the intent of the person who is doing the hacking. In this blog post, we will explore the different types of ethical hacking and what their purposes are. From white hat hackers to black hat hackers and everything in between, read on to learn more about the different types of ethical hacking and what they are used for.
White Hat Hacker
A white hat hacker is an ethical hacker who uses their hacking skills for good, rather than evil. They might work as security consultants, penetration testers, or even researchers. White hat hackers are often employed by companies in order to test the security of their systems and find vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious hackers.
While white hat hackers do share some
similarities with their black hat counterparts (such as a passion for hacking),
they differ in that they operate within the law and have a strong moral code.
White hat hackers want to make the world a better place by improving security
controls and making sure that people are aware of potential risks.
If you're interested in becoming a white
hat hacker, there are many resources available to help you get started. You can
find online courses, books, and even conferences dedicated to teaching ethical
hacking techniques.
Black Hat Hacker
A black hat hacker is someone who breaks into computer systems or networks with malicious intent. They may do this for personal gain, to cause damage, or to simply disrupt the system. Black hat hackers typically use methods that are not authorized by the owners of the system, and they often exploit security vulnerabilities.
Some common techniques used by black hat hackers include:
- -Scanning for vulnerable systems or open ports
- -Brute force attacks
- -SQL injection
- -Denial of service (DoS) attacks
- -Social engineering
While black hat hacking can be used for
malicious purposes, it can also be used for good. For example, ethical hackers
(also known as white hat hackers) may use black hat techniques to test the
security of a system and find weaknesses that need to be fixed.
White Hat Hacker vs Black Hat Hacker
White hat hackers are ethical hackers who use their skills to improve computer systems and make them more secure. Black hat hackers use their skills for malicious purposes, most like stealing data or causing damage to systems.
The main difference between white hat hackers and black hat hackers is their intent. White hat hackers hack for positive reasons, while black hat hackers hack for negative reasons. White hat hackers often work with organizations to test their security systems and find vulnerabilities. Black hat hackers exploit vulnerabilities to steal data or cause damage.
While both white hat and black hat hacking
can be used to gain unauthorized access to systems, the methods they use
differ. White hat hacking is typically done using legal methods, such as
penetration testing. Black hat hacking is usually done using illegal methods,
such as malware or phishing attacks.
White hat hacking is considered a positive
activity because it helps improve security. Black hat hacking is considered a
negative activity because it can be used for malicious purposes.
The difference between ethical hacking and illegal hacking
There are many differences between ethical hacking and illegal hacking. Ethical hackers are employed by organizations to help test the security of their systems, while illegal hackers are not authorized to access any system. Illegal hackers may try to gain access to systems for malicious purposes, such as stealing data or causing damage.
Ethical hackers always work with the permission of the system owner and follow strict guidelines, while illegal hackers do not.
The history of ethical hacking
The history of ethical hacking can be
traced back to the early days of computing, when a group of enterprising
computer scientists and engineers realized that they could use their skills to
access sensitive information and wreak havoc on systems.
In the early 1980s, these individuals began to form underground organizations dedicated to sharing information about security vulnerabilities and exploits. These groups were initially formed for purely academic reasons, but soon began to be used for malicious purposes as well.
One of the first recorded instances of
ethical hacking occurred in 1982, when a group of researchers from Carnegie
Mellon University published a paper detailing how they had been able to gain
control of a computer system at a major bank.
This paper caused a stir in the security
community, and led to the formation of the first official ethical hacking
group, known as the "Hackers' Club" at MIT.
Since then, ethical hacking has evolved
into a legitimate profession, with many companies now hiring ethical hackers to
help them test their systems for vulnerabilities.
Why people become ethical hackers
There are many reasons why people become ethical hackers. Some people want to use their skills for good, to help companies and organizations improve their cybersecurity. Others want to learn more about how to protect themselves and their own personal data online. And still others simply enjoy the challenge of hacking into systems and finding ways to make them more secure.
Becoming an ethical hacker is a way to use
your skills for good instead of evil. It’s a way to make a living while also
helping others protect themselves from cyber criminals. It’s a challenging and
ever-changing field that can be both exciting and rewarding.
How to become an ethical hacker
Ethical hacking is a process of identifying security weaknesses in a computer system or network and trying to find ways to exploit them. The aim is to improve the system’s security by finding and fixing vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious hackers.
To become an ethical hacker, you need to
have strong technical skills and a good understanding of computer systems and
networks. You should also be familiar with the tools and techniques used by
hackers.
If you want to pursue a career in ethical
hacking, there are various certification programs that you can take. These will
help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to be an ethical hacker.
The benefits of being an ethical hacker
There are many benefits to being an ethical hacker. Perhaps the most obvious benefit is that it can be a very lucrative career. Ethical hackers are in high demand, and can command high salaries.
Another benefit is that it can be a very
exciting and interesting job. Ethical hacking is all about finding weaknesses
and vulnerabilities in systems and then working to fix them. It's a constant
challenge, and one that can be very rewarding.
Finally, ethical hacking is a great way to
help make the world a safer place. By finding and fixing security flaws,
ethical hackers can help prevent data breaches, identity theft, and other
serious crimes.
The downside of being an ethical hacker
There are a few potential downsides to being an ethical hacker. First, the pay for ethical hackers can be lower than for traditional hackers because companies are often more budget-conscious when it comes to security.
Second, ethical hacking can be a relatively new field, which means there may be fewer job opportunities available. Finally, ethical hacking can be stressful and time-consuming work, as it requires constantly keeping up with new security threats and vulnerabilities.Conclusion
Ethical hacking is a field that is
constantly evolving, and as such, it is important to stay up-to-date on the
latest information. With that said, we hope you have a better understanding of
what ethical hacking is and how it can be beneficial for businesses and
individuals. If you're interested in learning more about ethical hacking,
consider taking an online course or reading one of the many books on the
subject.