WHAT IS MEANT BY ETHICAL HACKING?
Ethical Hacking is testing the resources for a good cause and for the betterment of technology. Technically Ethical Hacking means penetration testing which is focused on Securing and Protecting IT Systems.
Because there are so many creative and unanticipated ways to access computers and networks, often the only way to discover exploitable weaknesses is to attempt to hack one’s own system before someone with malicious intentions does so first and causes irreparable damage. A white hat hacker has been specifically authorized by the owner or custodian of a target system to discover and test its vulnerabilities. This is known as penetration testing. The white hat hacker uses the same tools and procedures as a black hat hacker, and often has equal knowledge and skills. In fact, it is not uncommon for a former black hat to find legitimate employment as a white hat because black hats typically have a great deal of practical experience with system penetration. Government agencies and corporations have been known to employ formerly prosecuted computer criminals to test vital systems.
Benefits of Ethical Hacking
To protect yourself from thieves, you need to think like one. This principle serves as the core of white hat hacking. The total number of hackers is growing each day. And these people are on a continuous quest to improve their skills and expand their knowledge. If you will consider the vulnerabilities that exist in machines and digital networks, you will realize the awful state of security that people have against hackers. You need to protect your system from the bad guys. To achieve this goal, you should know how to hack.
The goals of a white hat hacker are:
- Attack a system without destroying it
- Identify system vulnerabilities
- Prove that vulnerabilities exist
- Help in improving the security of his target
How To Become A Ethical Hacker?
Now here I have a good lists to guide you how to become a hacker. Follow them and fulfill your dream.
Operating Systems (Specifically Linux/Unix) :
A true hacker totally depends on open source and freeware. Also operating systems Linux/Unix OS(s) are best to learn hacking and also to hack anything.
A hacker must have a good knowledge of Linux Operating Systems like Red Hat, Kali Linux, Debian, Back Box. It is very important to learn more than one Linux Operating System.
Programming :
It is important for a person in the hacking field to learn more than one programming. There are many programming languages to learn such as Python, JAVA, C++. Free tutorials are easily available online over the internet. Specifically in hacking field languages like C++, Python, SQL etc. are very important.
Cryptography :
Now this is where the things get interesting, you are a hacker and you are transferring files over internet to your pal and another hacker breaks in and takes your file and now he know everything, to prevent this you need to master the art of cryptography. Look for cryptography tutorial over internet and learn it.
Networking Concepts :
You need to be good at networking concepts and understand how the networks are created. You need to know the differences between different types of networks and must have a clear understanding of TCP/IP and UDP to exploit loop holes in a system. Understanding what LAN, WAN, VPN, Firewall is also important. You must have a clear understanding and use of network tools such as Wireshark, NMAP for packet analyzing, network scanning etc.
Learn A Lot :
Visit websites which teach hacking and networking exploitation signup on hacking forum ask help discuss with other hacker. Learn from expert hacker. Learn aboutphishing, sniffer, Trojans, RATs etc. Also learn good amount of batch programming and shell programming.
Practice :
After learning few programming concepts or OS concepts sit and practice them. Set up you own Hacker Lab with a good system with good processor and RAM because your regular system won’t handle hacking too smoothly.
Find/ Write Vulnerabilities :
Vulnerability is the weakness or a loop hole or open door through which you enter the system. Look for vulnerabilities by scanning the system, network etc. Try to write your own vulnerability programs and exploit the system
Steps Performed By Hackers
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance can be described as the pre-attack phase and is a systematic attempt to locate, gather, identify, and record information about the target. The Hacker seeks to find out as much information as possible about the target.
Scanning and Enumeration
Scanning and enumeration is considered the second pre-attack phase. This phase involves taking the information discovered during reconnaissance and using it to examine the network. Scanning involves steps such as intelligent system port scanning which is used to determine open ports and vulnerable services. In this stage the attacker can use different automated tools to discover system vulnerabilities.
Gaining Access
This is the phase where real hacking takes place. Vulnerabilities discovered during the reconnaissance and scanning phase are now exploited to gain access. The method of connection the Hacker uses for an exploit can be a local area network, local access to a PC, the Internet, or offline. Gaining access is known in the Hacker world as owning the system. During a real security breach it would be this stage where the Hacker can utilize simple techniques to cause irreparable damage to the target system.
Maintaining Access and Placing Backdoors
Once a Hacker has gained access, they want to keep that access for future exploitation and attacks. Sometimes, Hackers harden the system from other Hackers or security personnel by securing their exclusive access with Backdoors, Root kits, and Trojans.
The attacker can use automated scripts and automated tools for hiding attack evidence and also to create backdoors for further attack.
Clearing Tracks
In this phase, once Hackers have been able to gain and maintain access, they cover their tracks to avoid detection by security personnel, to continue to use the owned system, to remove evidence of hacking, or to avoid legal action. At present, many successful security breaches are made but never detected. This includes cases where firewalls and vigilant log checking were in place.
Working Of An Ethical Hacker
Obeying The Ethical Hacking Commandments
Every Ethical Hacker must follow few basic principles. If he do not follow, bad things can happen. Most of the time these principles get ignored or forgotten when planning or executing ethical hacking tests. The results are even very dangerous.
Working Ethically
The word ethical can be defined as working with high professional morals and principles. Whether you’re performing ethical hacking tests against your own systems or for someone who has hired you, everything you do as an ethical Hacker must be approved and must support the company’s goals. No hidden agendas are allowed! Trustworthiness is the ultimate objective. The misuse of information is absolutely not allowed. That’s what the bad guys do.
Respecting Privacy
Treat the information you gather with complete respect. All information you obtain during your testing — from Web application log files to clear-text passwords — must be kept private.
Not Crashing Your Systems
One of the biggest mistakes is when people try to hack their own systems; they come up with crashing their systems. The main reason for this is poor planning. These testers have not read the documentation or misunderstand the usage and power of the security tools and techniques.
You can easily create miserable conditions on your systems when testing. Running too many tests too quickly on a system causes many system lockups. Many security assessment tools can control how many tests are performed on a system at the same time. These tools are especially handy if you need to run the tests on production systems during regular business hours.
Become A Certified Ethical Hacker
The Certified Ethical Hacker program is the pinnacle of the most desired information security training program any information security professional will ever want to be in. To master the hacking technologies, you will need to become one, but an ethical one! The accredited course provides the advanced hacking tools and techniques used by hackers and information security professionals alike to break into an organization. As we put it, “to beat a hacker, you need to think like a hacker”. This course will immerse you into the hacker mindset so that you will be able to defend against future attacks. The security mindset in any organization must not be limited to the silos of a certain vendor, technologies or pieces of equipment.
Certified Ethical Hacker program by EC Council :certified-ethical-hacker