We usually come across news where there are frequent occurrences of data being leaked, money thefts, digital attacks and other cyber problems/attacks. All of these is because of the fact that people with malicious intent and mind can now orchestrate these activities and at the comfort of their homes by just sitting behind a computer screen. With a widely spread access to the Internet across the world, this convenience will advantage an exponentially greater number of hackers who could attempt for a cyber crime. Naturally, this unethical hacking has led to an increase in demand for a skilled Ethical Hackers or other related Cybersecurity professionals. Meaning: When the hour of talking is Ethical Hacking, it is understood that we are always talking about hacking which is based on the ethical i.e., in a more value added manner, without any malicious intention. Ethical Hacking is defined as any server, data or anything that is private within a system is authorised by the owner to be hacked. It also can be referred to as a process of taking active security measure to avoid the systems from the hackers with malicious intentions. From the technical point of view, Ethical Hacking is a process of bypassing or entering the security measures implemented by a system to know if there is any kind of vulnerabilities, data breaches and any other potential threats that needs to be taken care of. It is only considered to be ethical if the regional or any organisational cyber laws/rules followed and taken due care of. This process is also known as the Penetration testing. This means that it is a practice of trying to filter the system and properly document the steps involved in it.
To add on to it, an Ethical Hacker hacks the system even before any harmful hacker could actually think of hacking. This hacking allows the security team of the organisation to create/build a kind of security wall that would eliminate the opening for the malicious hackers.
Now lets look at the Types of Ethical Hacking:
Web Application Hacking: It is basically a process of using a software over HTTP by exploring the software’s visual chrome browser, meddling with the URI, or colluding with the HTTP aspects that are not stored in the URI.
Hacking the System: Hackers usually get access to personal computers over a network via the process called as the System Hacking. This process includes: Password busting, privilege escalation, malicious software construction and the packet sniffing are some of the measures that acts a defensive acts that the IT security experts can use to control the threats.
Web Server Hacking: An application software database is a server that usually generates web information in a very quick time. So attackers use techniques such as the: Gluing, ping deluge, port scans etc to gather all the information like the passcodes, credentials, and other informations related to the companies from the web applications.
Hacking the Wireless Networks: The wireless networks use the radio waves as the medium to transmit the data and hence a hacker can easily squirt the system from the location that is nearby. To discover the identifier and enter into a network, often these hackers use the networking snorting process.
Social Engineering: The art of changing the masses is done with an intention that they divulge sensitive information and it is known as the social engineering. Eugenics is usually used by the criminals because it is generally easier to attack the organic hard time trusting than it is to figure out how to spoof your device.
Types of Hackers: A hacker is someone who solves the technical issue who has the ability of using a computer, networking or even other related source. He is a person who uses his skills to gain access to a system or a network in order to break laws.
White Hat Hackers: When we look at it from the ethical point of view, these are the type of hackers that come to our aid when needed. They are also known as the Ethical Hackers. These are the hackers/cybersecurity experts who assist the government and the businesses in performing the penetration tests and identifying the security flaws. Ethical Hackers use a vide range of techniques to build a strong firewall for themselves first to avoid the threat from other malicious hackers. They break into the system with permission and good intentions of finding vulnerabilities and help to assist in removing the viruses and malware in the system.
Black Hat Hackers: Now a days, black hat hackers are the main problem creators in the cybercrime field. The majority of the time, their objective is to monitor the system. These hackers can look for flaws in the individual computers of a company and other banking systems. They can even hack into your network to gain access to your personal, business and other financial secrets by exploiting any loopholes they find.
Grey Hat Hackers: These are the hackers who would fall under either of the White and Black hat hackers category. They are in-between. The Grey Hat Hackers may not use their skills for personal gain, they can however have both good and bad intentions. Example: When a Grey hat hacker finds some vulnerability in the system, he could leak the information to other hackers or inform the same to the organisation. However, it is understood that if the information is used for personal gain, then they are considered to be a Black hat hacker.
Importance of Ethical Hacking: Now that we know what exactly is hacking, penetration testing and the types of hackers, we will now look into the importance of hacking. Importance are as follows:
Testing whether the password is strong
Ensuring the all the security settings and other privilege levels in the domain account and other database administration are in place.
Seeing through that a proper penetration testing is performed after every security update or after adding a new security patch.
Ensuring that the data communication channels are in such a way that it is difficult or it cannot be intercepted.
Adding features such as the network security and the testing of anti-intrusion to the software.
Defensive wall to be built against the hackers thinking of attacking the system or the software.
These are some of the importance of Ethical Hacking. Ethical Hacker: Roles and Responsibilities Let us now talk about some of the roles and responsibilities of a Certified Ethical Hackers:
Meeting the client and understanding the need is important.
Thorough understanding of the security systems of the client and seeing through that the systems are well in place.
Penetration testing is important.
Identification and documentation of the security flaws and other vulnerabilities.
Testing the security level of the system and finding out the best solution based on the level.
Penetration testing after the installation of the suggested security protocols and generating a report.
These are some of the roles and responsibilities of an Ethical Hacker. Conclusion
If ethical hacking sounds fun and exciting, and If you’re looking for a job where no two days are the same, cyber security and ethical hacking might just be what you’re looking for! As a result of the rapid technological advancements, there is a sudden rise in demand for ethical hacking. India is home to 23% ethical hackers, the highest is the world! Why Infimind for Ethical Hacking?
Highly qualified trainers of OSCP, CWASE, CEH, ACSE, RHCE, CCNA, CCSA, CCSE, and SPSE
Hands-on practical training in a virtual lab environment
Course completion certificate
Guaranteed paid internship provided
Guaranteed personal attention – maximum of 6 students per batch
Best performer of each batch gets to work on a live-project
Advantages of being an Ethical Hacker
Preventing malicious hackers from gaining access
Preventing security breaches
Preventing cyber-attacks and cyber-terrorism
Data Protection
To be a white-hat hacker, think like a black-hat hacker!