Ethical Hacking has been a money-spinning career option for many, and not without good reason! It is trendy and it is quite challenging. Ethical hackers are earning very good money. In this article, we mainly focus on a brief introduction to ethical hacking. Firstly, it is necessary to know the meaning of ethical hacking.
What is Ethical Hacking?
The authorized practice of sidestepping system security for knowing the data breaches well as the threats in the network is called as Ethical Hacking.
Who is Ethical Hacker?
The person who is aiming to investigate the entire system as well as the network for knowing the weak points that are used by malicious hackers or intruders is called Ethical Hacker.
Tasks of Ethical Hacker are:-
- Collection of relevant information
- Analyzing the information
- Figuring out different ways to improve the security of the system
- Examining the vulnerabilities
Type of Hacker are:-
- White hat hackers
- Black hat hackers
- Gray hat hackers
White hat hackers usually perform ethical hacking. These hackers seek out and remedy vulnerabilities. white hat hackers refer to an ethical computer hacker, or a computer security expert, who re conversant with penetration testing and in other testing methodologies that guarantees the security of an organization’s information systems.
The people who violate security come under the category of black hat hackers. They make the usage of the illicit techniques to destroy security. Black Hat hackers are involved in doing the malicious activities by malicious intent so that they get personal gains, profit, or harassment;
Gray hat hackers are those who do hacking but their motive is not to do hacking for any personal use or third party benefit. They usually don’t take permission before moving to your system. Their motive is to do hacking for fun only.
Benefits of Ethical Hacking
Ethical Hacking plays a vital role in security. If you Learn ethical hacking you can study the mindset and techniques of black hat hackers as well as testers to know the ways for identifying and rectifying the vulnerabilities within networks. The most important benefit of ethical hacking is to inform as well as to improve the corporate networks. Moreover, it helps the organization in understanding how black hat hackers operate the network, how they impact the security of the organizations. This will help white hat hackers to perform necessary measures for safeguarding the security of their system.
Following are the main benefits of learning ethical hacking:-
By learning this management of logs is done in advancement and by doing so information is assured.
Detailed and expert-level knowledge of the following subjects:-
- Hacking SQL
- Advanced network analysis
- Oracle database
- Windows system administration using Powershell.
- Securing IIS & Apache Web servers
Deep knowledge on Backdoors, Trojans and how to do its countermeasure
It assists the students to handle information security with more simplicity
Relevant knowledge of advanced concepts of hacking like
- Hacking of smartphones
- How to write different virus codes
- Knowledge of reverse engineering
Enhanced awareness of IDS, Honeypots, Firewalls, and Wireless Hacking
Full proof coverage of latest development in mobile and web technologies including Android OS 4.1 and Apps, iOS 14 and Apps, BlackBerry 11 OS, Windows Phone 10 and HTML 5
Skills Needed to Become an Ethical Hacker
An ethical hacker must be conversant with networks, program codes, security measures, etc. to perform hacking efficiently. Some of these skills are:
Networking skills
This skill is the most important. As we all know the threats mostly arise from the networks.
It is better if you possess the full-fledged knowledge on the network. It means you should have appropriate knowledge on different network devices, their connections and various areas of their vulnerabilities.
Different Platforms knowledge
You should aware of Windows, Linux, and Unix
Programming skills
Security people must possess the relevant knowledge on SDLC (Software development life cycle)
Knowledge of scripting
Ethical hackers must have a hand to hand knowledge on Network-based attack as well as host-based attacks
Awareness of hacking tools
He must know how to use different hacking tools to perform efficient security practices.
Knowledge of Database
For doing the injection of SQL operations, you must know SQL. It helps you to save your data from being hacked.
Also check: What is Cyber Security?
Responsibilities of an Ethical Hacker
It is needed that ethical hackers perform some guidelines and measures to do legal hacking. Following points will throw light on his/her responsibilities
- Firstly ethical hacker needs to take approval or we can say authorization from the specific organization which is owing to the particular system,
- Check out what is the relevant scope of their actions and they also need to make plans accordingly.
- They should abide by the rules of the organization and must have respect regarding the nondisclosure agreement. Their main motive should be keeping the discoveries and detection confidential and private. This way security is not at all compromised.
- Immediately report the vulnerabilities as well as breaches, if found any on the network and system.
- Remove or erase everything after checking out the complete system vulnerability. Because by doing so, chances of hacking by malicious hackers are eliminated.
Also check: How Ethical Hacking Performed and its advantages and disadvantages
Final Thoughts
Ethical Hacking is necessary these days in the college curriculum. Its main motive is to maintain the system and organization security. If it is performed for illegal purpose it can be then considered under cyber crime offense. Here, we have discussed the introduction to ethical hacking. So it is better not to misuse anything. If you are having any doubt, feel free to ask me in the comment box.