Beginners Guide for Ethical Hacking

Are you a beginner who is thinking of going into the hacking field? If that's the case, this article is just for you. This article will focus on getting into ethical hacking.

Ethical hacking uses various techniques and tools to test a computer network, system, and security measures against hacking attacks. It can be considered an advanced type of penetration testing but with the motive to generate an ethical hacking report that helps organizations improve security standards.

What is Ethical Hacking?

Ethical hacking is testing your security systems by simulating a malicious attack. This allows organizations to identify & resolve vulnerabilities before the bad guys exploit them.

Ethical hackers are people who hack without trying to break into systems but instead use the same tools to find vulnerabilities. Their job is to test the security of an organization's network and computer systems, ultimately preventing any data theft or loss. Ethical hackers also perform a variety of tasks linked to general cyber security.

What Is Penetration testing?

Penetration testing investigates a computer system or network to determine how well it is secured against attacks. The idea is to simulate an attack to identify weaknesses and devise ways to defend them.

Although you may see 'ethical hacker' and 'penetration tester' used interchangeably, there are some differences depending on where you look.

Penetration Testing vs. Ethical Hacking

There are many similarities between penetration testing and ethical hacking. Both involve using the latest software and tools to identify the flaws in the applications, services, and operating systems.

But there is a difference between these two terms that you should know about. 

Penetration testing is a planned, deliberate attempt to break into computer systems to improve security measures. On the other hand, ethical hacking is performed by professionals who take care to avoid harming any systems or data. 

Despite all these differences, penetration testing and ethical hacking have become the same in most people's minds, so much so that some use them interchangeably.

Why is Ethical Hacking Important?

Ethical hacking is essential because there are people who will exploit technology and information resources to take advantage of others. Technology is used to benefit the world but can be used to cause great harm. Therefore, users should know the risks associated with their favorite technologies and how to help mitigate them for the best results.

It's important to note that ethical hacking is entirely different from criminal or malicious hacking. Ethical hacking is a way for businesses and individuals to test their cybersecurity systems and strengthen them against real-life attacks.

The best way for cybercriminals to launch a successful attack is to find system vulnerabilities; security protocols must be as strong as possible.

Suppose a business can eliminate vulnerabilities before an attack occurs. In that case, they significantly decrease the chance that data will ever get compromised.

Types of Ethical Hacking

Wireless network hacking: Wireless hacking uses technology to gain unauthorized access to a wireless network. It often involves an attack on the authentication process or the collection of passwords from computers connected to the network.

Web server hacking: Web servers run OS, applications, and back-end databases. Ethical hackers test these components for weaknesses and make recommendations for fixes.

Web application hacking: Web applications are programs that run on computers connected to the Internet or an intranet and are sometimes browser-based. Although convenient and popular, these applications can be vulnerable to scripting attacks, and ethical hackers test such weaknesses.

Social engineering: While other data access methods focus on using computers and networks, social engineering targets individuals directly. This often means manipulating people into handing over sensitive data or providing access without suspecting ill intent.

System hacking: Accessing a secure network is different; however, system hacking involves obtaining access to individual computers on the web using various methods. Ethical hackers will try to get this information while also suggesting appropriate countermeasures.

Ethical Hacking Jobs

Data security analyst: A security analyst usually works for a company and focuses on protecting its IT system. They may create firewalls, install antivirus software, and encrypt data so a hacker can't access it.

Penetration testers: They perform authorized tests on computers and networks to find weaknesses. Penetration testers often specialize in one particular type of system.

Network administrator: This role involves maintaining computer networks and solving any problems. In addition, they install and configure networks and identify and solve any issues that arise within systems.

Computer crime investigator: This job focuses on the aftermath of data breaches, such as investigating various criminal activities to figure out what happened and why.

Conclusion

Ethical hackers are cybersecurity experts and are highly sought after by corporations. Suppose you're interested in a career in cybersecurity and want to learn more about ethical hacking. In that case, we hope this blog has given you some ideas for where to start.