What Is Ethical Hacking?

Introduction to Ethical Hacking

In today’s digital age, security is paramount. As cyber threats continue to evolve, the role of ethical hackers becomes increasingly vital. Ethical hacking involves the proactive investigation and identification of vulnerabilities within systems, networks, and software to enhance security and protect against malicious attacks. Ethical hackers, often referred to as white-hat hackers, utilize their skills for constructive purposes, ensuring that organizations can fortify their defenses against potential cyber threats.

The Principles of Ethical Hacking

Ethical hacking operates under a strict code of ethics and principles. These principles ensure that the practice remains lawful and beneficial:

1. Legality and Permission

Ethical hackers must always obtain explicit permission from the system owner before conducting any tests. This legal authorization distinguishes ethical hacking from illegal activities.

2. Goal-Oriented Testing

The primary objective is to identify and rectify vulnerabilities. Ethical hackers work towards improving the overall security posture of the organization.

3. Confidentiality

Maintaining the confidentiality of the organization’s data and findings is crucial. Ethical hackers ensure that sensitive information is not disclosed to unauthorized parties.

4. Responsible Disclosure

Upon discovering vulnerabilities, ethical hackers report their findings to the organization in a responsible manner, allowing for timely remediation.

How Ethical Hacking Works

The process of ethical hacking is methodical and follows several key phases to ensure comprehensive security assessments:

1. Reconnaissance

This initial phase involves gathering information about the target system. Ethical hackers use various techniques such as open-source intelligence (OSINT), social engineering, and network scanning to collect data.

2. Scanning

In the scanning phase, ethical hackers employ tools to detect open ports, services, and potential vulnerabilities. Techniques such as network mapping and vulnerability scanning are used to create a blueprint of the target’s security landscape.

3. Gaining Access

Once vulnerabilities are identified, ethical hackers attempt to exploit them to gain access to the system. This phase tests the effectiveness of existing security measures and helps to identify weaknesses.

4. Maintaining Access

In this phase, ethical hackers determine if they can maintain their presence within the system without being detected. This step evaluates the robustness of the organization’s intrusion detection and prevention systems.

5. Analysis and Reporting

After completing the tests, ethical hackers analyze the data collected and compile a comprehensive report. This report includes details of the vulnerabilities found, potential impacts, and recommendations for remediation.

6. Remediation and Retesting

Organizations act on the recommendations to mitigate the identified vulnerabilities. Ethical hackers may conduct retesting to ensure that the security flaws have been effectively addressed.

Types of Ethical Hacking

Ethical hacking encompasses various types, each focusing on different aspects of security:

1. Network Hacking

Involves identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in network infrastructure, such as routers, switches, and firewalls.

2. Web Application Hacking

Focuses on finding weaknesses in web applications, including SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and cross-site request forgery (CSRF).

3. System Hacking

Targets vulnerabilities in operating systems and software applications.

4. Social Engineering

Exploits human psychology to gain unauthorized access to systems and data. Techniques include phishing, pretexting, and baiting.

5. Wireless Network Hacking

Involves compromising wireless networks through methods like WEP/WPA cracking and rogue access points.

Tools Used in Ethical Hacking

Ethical hackers utilize a wide array of tools to conduct their assessments. Some of the most commonly used tools include:

1. Nmap

A powerful network scanning tool used for discovering hosts and services on a network.

2. Metasploit

An exploitation framework that provides information about security vulnerabilities and aids in penetration testing.

3. Wireshark

A network protocol analyzer used to capture and inspect data packets transmitted over a network.

4. Burp Suite

A web vulnerability scanner and penetration testing tool designed to identify and exploit web application security issues.

5. John the Ripper

A popular password-cracking tool used to test the strength of passwords.

The Importance of Ethical Hacking

Ethical hacking plays a crucial role in modern cybersecurity strategies. Some key benefits include:

1. Proactive Security

By identifying and addressing vulnerabilities before they can be exploited, ethical hacking helps organizations stay ahead of cyber threats.

2. Compliance and Regulations

Many industries have strict regulatory requirements for data protection. Ethical hacking helps organizations comply with these standards, avoiding legal penalties.

3. Protecting Reputation

A security breach can severely damage an organization’s reputation. Ethical hacking ensures robust security measures, protecting the organization’s credibility.

4. Cost Savings

Addressing vulnerabilities proactively can save organizations significant costs associated with data breaches and downtime.

5. Enhancing Customer Trust

Consumers are increasingly concerned about data privacy. Demonstrating a commitment to security through ethical hacking builds trust with customers.

Challenges in Ethical Hacking

Despite its benefits, ethical hacking also faces several challenges:

1. Evolving Threat Landscape

Cyber threats are constantly evolving, requiring ethical hackers to continuously update their skills and knowledge.

2. Legal and Ethical Boundaries

Ethical hackers must navigate complex legal and ethical boundaries to ensure their activities remain lawful.

3. Resource Limitations

Organizations may have limited resources for implementing security recommendations, impacting the effectiveness of ethical hacking efforts.

4. Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs)

Sophisticated and persistent threats require advanced techniques and tools, posing a significant challenge to ethical hackers.

Future of Ethical Hacking

The future of ethical hacking is promising, with several trends shaping the landscape:

1. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

AI and ML technologies are being integrated into ethical hacking tools to enhance the detection and analysis of vulnerabilities.

2. Increased Collaboration

Collaboration between ethical hackers and organizations is becoming more prevalent, fostering a culture of continuous improvement in cybersecurity.

3. Expansion of Bug Bounty Programs

More organizations are adopting bug bounty programs, incentivizing ethical hackers to find and report vulnerabilities.

4. Focus on IoT Security

With the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT), ethical hackers are increasingly focusing on securing connected devices.

Conclusion

Ethical hacking is an essential component of modern cybersecurity strategies. By proactively identifying and addressing vulnerabilities, ethical hackers help organizations safeguard their digital assets and maintain robust security postures. As the threat landscape continues to evolve, the role of ethical hacking will become even more critical in protecting against cyber threats.

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The Art of Cyber Sleuthing: How Ethical Hackers Battle Dark Forces and Keep the Virtual Universe Secure

In an age where technology drives every facet of our lives, the battle between security and malice has never been more critical. Ethical hackers, often referred to as cyber sleuths, stand as the unsung heroes of the digital realm, tirelessly working to protect the virtual universe from the lurking threats of the dark forces. This intricate dance between those who safeguard digital landscapes and those who seek to exploit its vulnerabilities is a captivating saga of modern times. In this comprehensive exploration, we delve into the art of cyber sleuthing, revealing the methods, motivations, and dedication that keep our online world safe.

Unmasking the Ethical Hacker: Guardians of the Virtual Realm

Ethical hackers are modern-day knights, adorned not in armor but in lines of code. Their primary mission: to breach security systems, identify vulnerabilities, and fortify digital citadels before the malevolent hackers can exploit them. These virtuous technologists operate with a profound understanding of programming languages, network protocols, and the intricacies of software. They are a unique breed of individuals who possess an innate curiosity to uncover weaknesses, a deep sense of responsibility to protect users, and an unwavering dedication to their craft.

The Mindset of a Cyber Sleuth: Curiosity and Ingenuity

At the heart of every ethical hacker's prowess lies an insatiable curiosity. Theirs is a world of puzzles, where deciphering complex algorithms and dissecting intricate systems are everyday challenges. They possess an innate ability to think like the adversary, anticipating moves before they are made. This mindset is a testament to their ingenuity and resourcefulness, qualities that are essential to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats.

The Tools of the Trade: Cutting-Edge Technology for Digital Vigilance

Ethical hackers arm themselves with an arsenal of cutting-edge tools that mirror those of their malevolent counterparts. From penetration testing to vulnerability scanning, their toolkit is comprehensive and dynamic. They employ advanced software that simulates cyber attacks, enabling them to identify weak points and reinforce defenses. In the realm of ethical hacking, staying one step ahead is not a luxury but a necessity.

The Dance of Discovery: Uncovering Vulnerabilities

The process of uncovering vulnerabilities is akin to detective work in the digital age. Ethical hackers meticulously comb through lines of code, scrutinizing every nuance for potential weaknesses. They embark on a journey of discovery, probing, and experimenting until they expose a vulnerability. This painstaking process requires a blend of technical acumen, intuition, and relentless determination.

The White Hat Community: Collaboration in the Name of Security

Unlike their nefarious counterparts, ethical hackers operate within a framework of collaboration and shared knowledge. Online communities, forums, and conferences serve as gathering grounds for these virtuous tech wizards. They exchange insights, discuss emerging threats, and collectively brainstorm solutions. This sense of camaraderie forms a robust line of defense against the dark forces that lurk in the digital shadows.

Ethical Hacking in Action: A Real-World Example

To illustrate the impact of ethical hacking, let's consider a hypothetical scenario involving a popular e-commerce platform. An ethical hacker, armed with his toolkit, embarks on a mission to test the platform's security. Through a meticulous process of probing and analysis, he identifies a potential vulnerability in the payment gateway. Swiftly, he reports his findings to the platform's security team, who then enact measures to patch the vulnerability before it can be exploited by malicious actors. In this tale, the ethical hacker's vigilance preserves the integrity of the platform, safeguarding sensitive user information.

The Future of Cyber Sleuthing: Navigating the Unknown

As technology advances, so too do the tactics and strategies of cyber adversaries. Ethical hackers are tasked with a perpetual journey of learning, adaptation, and innovation. Their role in the digital ecosystem is paramount, shaping the future of online security. With the emergence of artificial intelligence, blockchain, and quantum computing, the challenges will only become more intricate. Yet, the dedication of ethical hackers remains unwavering, as they stand as the vanguards of the virtual universe.

In conclusion, the art of cyber sleuthing is a captivating symphony of skill, intellect, and altruism. Ethical hackers illuminate the path to a safer digital future, as they battle the dark forces that seek to exploit our vulnerabilities. Their insatiable curiosity, innovative mindset, and collaborative spirit create a formidable alliance against the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats. As we traverse the virtual universe, we can rest assured that these modern-day guardians stand ready to defend and secure our digital existence.

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Ethical Hacking in Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is now an IT best practice for businesses of all sizes and industries. Thanks to the cloud, organizations can use a wide range of on-demand IT services delivered remotely over the internet without hosting or purchasing them internally.

Given the widespread adoption of cloud computing, it’s no surprise that the cloud is an appealing target for hackers. To bolster their defenses, companies must include their cloud computing resources as an integral part of their cybersecurity strategy.

That’s exactly where ethical hacking comes in. By scanning cloud computing environments for vulnerabilities, ethical hackers can help businesses patch any security flaws before an attacker can exploit them. In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about ethical hacking in cloud computing, from the role of ethical hacking in cloud computing to various cloud hacking methodologies.

What Is Ethical Hacking in Cloud Computing?

Given the diversity of options available, it’s no surprise that cloud computing is now used by 98 percent of companies in some form or fashion (Flexera, 2020). But what is cloud computing in cybersecurity?

The cloud is often seen as more secure than its on-premises equivalent, but it has its share of cybersecurity problems. According to the 2021 Thales Global Cloud Security Study, 40 percent of businesses say they have suffered a cloud data breach in the past year alone (Henriquez, 2021). Given the rising number of cyberattacks on the cloud, businesses need trusted security experts who can help them fix flaws and close any holes through which attackers can enter their systems.

Ethical hacking, also known as white-hat hacking, involves detecting issues within an IT ecosystem through various hacking techniques. Most importantly, this is completed with the full awareness and consent of the target. In ethical hacking, cloud computing resources must be checked for security vulnerabilities, just like the rest of the IT environment.

When it comes to cloud computing, ethical hackers wear many hats. Broadly, the role of ethical hacking in cloud computing is to check for security vulnerabilities and weaknesses in an organization’s cloud infrastructure. Ethical hacking in cloud computing should cover the following concerns:

◉ Finding and fixing broken cloud authentication services

◉ Detecting the unintentional exposure of data and files

◉ Suggesting countermeasures against distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks

◉ Protecting IT systems from ransomware, viruses, and other malware

What Are the Types of Cloud Computing?

There are many different types of cloud computing you can choose, depending on your needs. The first way to classify cloud services is in terms of their physical location:

◉ Public cloud: These cloud services are hosted and provisioned by a third-party vendor and available to the general public.

◉ Private cloud: These cloud services are available only for a single private customer. They may be hosted either internally or by a third-party vendor.

◉ Hybrid cloud: The customer uses multiple cloud services—for example, using general-purpose applications in the public cloud while storing sensitive data in a private cloud database.

Below are just a few examples of cloud computing offerings that ethical hackers should be familiar with:

◉ SaaS: Software as a service (SaaS) gives customers access to software applications, while the cloud provider is responsible for updates and maintenance. One common SaaS business use case is productivity software like Microsoft Office 365.

◉ PaaS: Platform as a service (PaaS) gives customers a platform for developing and running applications. Examples include Microsoft Azure Cloud Services and Google App Engine.

◉ IaaS: Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) gives customers access to hardware resources such as computing, memory, storage, and network. However, customers provide their own software to run on this infrastructure.

◉ Containers: Containers are lightweight, controlled packages that bundle software applications together with their libraries, dependencies, and settings so that the software runs predictably in different environments. Container technology, such as Docker and Kubernetes, is extremely popular.

◉ Serverless: Serverless computing enables developers to build and run applications without manually provisioning the necessary infrastructure. One example of serverless computing is FaaS (function as a service), which automatically executes a given piece of code when an event occurs.

Cloud computing may take multiple formats, depending on the technology required. Below are some examples of cloud computing setups:

◉ Fog computing: Fog computing (a pun on the “cloud”) extends cloud computing infrastructure by placing nodes in distributed locations, closer to the source of the data.

◉ Edge computing: Edge computing occurs even closer to physical data sources than fog computing, using so-called “edge devices” to perform much of the computation while offloading intensive tasks to the cloud.

◉ Grid computing: Grid computing links together multiple distributed computers in a “grid,” pooling their resources in service of a shared task.

6 Essential Cloud Hacking Methodologies

Now that we’ve answered the question, “What is cloud hacking?” we’ll dive deeper into cloud hacking methodology. Below are just a few examples of the types of attacks in cloud computing that ethical hackers should know about:

1. Brute-force attacks: The simplest form of cloud hacking is a brute-force approach: testing different combinations of usernames and passwords. Once inside the system, adversaries can proceed to wreak havoc and exfiltrate data from the cloud as with any other attack.

2. Phishing: Phishing is an alternative to brute-force attacks that attempts to steal user credentials by impersonating a trusted third party. Spear phishing is an even more sophisticated technique that targets a specific individual with a hand-crafted message.

3. Credential stuffing: If employees at the organization reuse their usernames and passwords across multiple services, the business is at risk of a credential stuffing attack. Adversaries can go through lists of user credentials stolen from a previous attack to see if any of them are valid accounts on a different IT system.

4. Exploiting misconfigurations: Without being careful, businesses can leave their cloud assets misconfigured and exposed to the outside world, allowing hackers to enter the network. The issues here may include using default credentials (i.e., not changing the administrator’s name or password), disabled security controls, and granting users too many permissions for their needs.

5. Ransomware transfers: Ransomware can affect cloud storage services just as much as on-premises databases, often leaping from one to the other. For example, if businesses automatically sync local files to the cloud, then a ransomware attack infecting local systems would result in the cloud files being affected as well. The past few years have seen a surge in so-called “ransomcloud” attacks.

6. Server-side request forgery: A server-side request forgery (SSRF) can occur when a web application fails to validate a URL provided by a malicious user. Attackers can supply a URL that tells the application to make a request or provide data that would otherwise be off-limits. SSRF attacks are growing in popularity among cloud hackers.

The Role of Ethical Hackers in the Cloud Computing Industry

Ethical hackers play a critical role in the cloud computing industry. As cyberattacks on cloud infrastructure continue to rise, ethical hacking ensures that businesses of all sizes and industries have the appropriate defenses in place. 

When it comes to the question of cloud computing vs. ethical hacking for your career, the good news is that you can choose both. If a job in cloud hacking appeals to you, obtaining an ethical hacking certification is an ideal way to get a foothold in the industry while honing your in-demand cybersecurity skills.

EC-Council offers the Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH) program, which has real-world training in the latest enterprise-grade ethical hacking tools, techniques, and methodologies. Click here to learn more about the contents of the C|EH curriculum and start down the path of becoming an ethical hacker.

Source: eccouncil.org

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What Is Ethical Hacking, and Why Is It Important?

Though it may seem like it at first, ethical hacking isn’t a contradiction. While some individuals use their hacking knowledge for ill, others use it to help companies detect flaws in their IT environment. (Think of the difference between a burglar and a home security consultant: both are looking for vulnerabilities, but they do very different things with this information.)

But what is ethical hacking, exactly, and why is it such an important part of an organization’s IT security posture? This article will cover everything you need to know about ethical hacking, including how to become an ethical hacker.

What Are Ethical Hackers, and Why Are They Useful?

The term ethical hacking, also called white-hat hacking, refers to the use of hacking skills and techniques with good intentions and with the full consent and approval of the target. Ethical hackers use their tools and knowledge to probe an IT system, database, network, or application for security vulnerabilities. They then inform the target of any flaws they find and provide recommendations for patching them.

Both parts of the definition above—good intentions and the target’s consent—are necessary to be an ethical hacker. If one or both parts are missing, the individual is known as a black hat or a gray hat hacker, depending on the motivation:

◉ Black hat hackers are malicious, lacking both good intentions and the consent of their targets. These individuals are what the term hacker means in the popular imagination. They break into IT environments, steal confidential data, or install ransomware that charges a fee for users to regain access to their computers. These individuals often have self-serving motivations, such as money or fame, and may work for political activism or government entities as part of a cyber warfare team.

◉ Gray hat hackers occupy a morally gray area between black-hat and white-hat. Their activities are often technically illegal, probing systems for vulnerabilities without the consent of their targets. However, gray hat hackers are motivated by passion or curiosity rather than the intent to exploit their findings for financial gain.

For individuals to be ethical or white hat hackers, they must obey a few key concepts:

1. The activities of ethical hackers must be with the target’s full knowledge and consent and always remain within legal boundaries.

2. They should work with the target to define the scope of their activities and must not go beyond this scope unless otherwise agreed upon.

3. They must report all the vulnerabilities they discover during their work and offer their best advice for fixing them.

4. They must respect the target’s privacy and security, including any sensitive or confidential information.

Ethical hackers are useful because they help organizations identify vulnerabilities in their IT environments before black hat hackers can exploit them. Businesses usually employ ethical hackers on internal IT teams or external contractors. The designation of an ethical hacker is usually not an official job title; instead, ethical hackers occupy roles such as security analysts, security engineers, and penetration testers.

What Are the Uses of Ethical Hacking?

Ethical hackers have many use cases within an organization. Depending on their skills and specializations, ethical hackers may work on detecting vulnerabilities in one or more of the following ways:

◉ Social engineering: Social engineering refers to manipulating targets through social or psychological means rather than technical ones, tricking them into revealing sensitive information. For example, employees might be fooled into divulging their login credentials after they receive a phishing email.

◉ Web application hacking: Many web applications have hidden security flaws that attackers can exploit. These vulnerabilities may include failure to sanitize user input (such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting) and issues with authentication and user credentials.

◉ Web server hacking: Servers and databases are also subject to various problems that ethical hackers can detect. For example, a server might inadvertently expose sensitive information or be vulnerable to denial-of-service attacks that seek to overwhelm it with too much traffic.

◉ Wireless network hacking: Networks, too, are susceptible to unauthorized entry by black hat hackers, and it’s up to their ethical hacker counterparts to stop them. Potential network vulnerabilities include password and encryption issues, rogue access points, and even lost or stolen company devices.

◉ System hacking: Last but not least, attackers may try to exploit individual systems or machines within a company network and install viruses, trojans, ransomware, spyware, keyloggers, and other malware. Ethical hackers look for system flaws, such as password cracking and privilege escalation.

Advantages of Ethical Hacking

Both the number and the intensity of cyberattacks are increasing rapidly—and there’s no sign that they will slow down any time soon. According to IBM, for example, the average data breach cost for companies now stands at $4.35 million, the highest figure ever on record (IBM Security, 2022).

Given the tremendous business risk of suffering a cyberattack, organizations must be proactive in defending against black hat hackers. Working with ethical hackers is an excellent way for companies to use black hat tools against them. Institutions as important as banks, the military, and national intelligence services all rely on ethical hackers as crucial parts of their cybersecurity strategies.

When starting their work, ethical hackers perform a vulnerability assessment of the client’s IT environment, including networks, databases, servers, applications, and endpoints. This may include the use of automated tools and manual checks and verifications. At the end of the assessment, ethical hackers produce a report listing any vulnerabilities detected, their severity, and recommendations for fixing each one.

As part of their work, ethical hackers may also help with training and education programs for employees. Even basic cybersecurity practices, such as choosing stronger passwords and using multi-factor authentication, can go a long way to help strengthen an organization’s IT security posture.

How to Become an Ethical Hacker

Being an ethical hacker can be a tremendously rewarding position. Ethical hacking enables you to satisfy your curiosity, use problem-solving skills and technical knowledge, and help organizations protect themselves against dangerous cybercriminals. This brings us to the question—how do you become an ethical hacker?

Getting an ethical hacking certification is an excellent start if you’re looking to begin a career as an ethical hacker. Ethical hacking certifications prove you have the knowledge and experience to start helping companies patch their security vulnerabilities.

EC-Council offers a Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH) certification to help jumpstart your IT career. This certification verifies that the recipient is a skilled professional who understands and knows how to look for weaknesses and vulnerabilities in target systems and uses the same knowledge and tools as a malicious hacker, but in a lawful and legitimate manner to assess the security posture of a target system(s).

Taking a C|EH course and passing the C|EH certification test is the perfect way to show businesses that you have the skills for an ethical hacking job. Want to learn more about how to become an ethical hacker? Check out EC-Council’s page on the C|EH certification.

Taking a C|EH course and passing the C|EH certification test is the perfect way to show businesses that you have the skills for an ethical hacking job. Want to learn more about how to become an ethical hacker? Check out EC-Council’s page on the C|EH certification.

Source: eccouncil.org

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Ethical Hacking: Understanding the Basics

Cybercrime continues to grow at an astounding and devastating rate; more than 93% of organizations in the healthcare field alone experienced a data breach in the past few years (Sobers, 2021).

While most people with any degree of tech acumen are familiar with criminal hackers, fewer are familiar with the field of ethical hacking. As cyberattack techniques evolve, an equally fast-growing (legal) hacking movement has sprung up to stop cybercriminals: ethical hacking.

What Is an Ethical Hacker?

In the more commonly known illegal counterpart to ethical hacking, cybercriminals (also known as malicious hackers) seek vulnerabilities to exploit in an organization’s network. Ethical hackers, on the other hand, are security experts retained by organizations to proactively identify vulnerabilities before someone with ill intent discovers them. Ethical hackers improve a company’s security by finding weaknesses and providing remediation advice.

Understanding Hacking Roles

The field of cybersecurity is broad and complex, so it’s not surprising that there are several subsets of the hacking community. Ethical hackers may work for a cybersecurity firm, work in house at an organization, or find contract roles by working as independent consultants.

Red Team

Red teamers are ethical hackers who focus on the offensive side of cybersecurity, explicitly attacking systems and breaking down defenses. After a series of simulated attacks, red teams will make recommendations to the organization regarding how to strengthen its network security.

Blue Team

Where red teams play the offensive in the cybersecurity game, the blue team focuses on defending networks against cyberattacks and threats. Cybersecurity employee training, network vulnerability scanning, risk management, and mitigation tactics all fall under the blue team umbrella.

Gray-Hat Hackers

We have ethical hackers, we have unethical hackers, and now we have gray-hat hackers. These hackers are like malicious hackers in that they don’t have explicit organizational permission to infiltrate systems, but they also don’t have bad intent. Instead, gray-hat hackers are usually interested in gaining hacking experience or recognition.

A gray-hat hacker will advise the breached organization of the vulnerabilities they uncover (and may request a small fee for doing so, although this isn’t their primary objective and they are not requesting such in a ransom capacity). However, gray-hat hacking is still illegal, given that the individual in question does not have permission to hack into the system.

How to Become an Ethical Hacker

For anyone interested in pursuing a career in ethical hacking, the following skills lend themselves well to the role:

◉ Knowledge of coding in relevant programming languages

◉ An understanding of computer networks, both wired and wireless

◉ Basic hardware knowledge

◉ Creative and analytical thinking abilities

◉ Database proficiency

◉ A solid foundation in information security principles

Most ethical hackers also have a degree in a technology-related field, such as computer science, information technology, or cybersecurity.

Beyond these basics, it’s important for ethical hackers to engage in ongoing education, as cybersecurity is continually evolving. Cybersecurity professionals often acquire certifications in relevant areas, including credentials specifically focused on ethical hacking like EC-Council’s Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH). EC-Council also provides a wide range of other industry-recognized credentials, including the Certified Network Defender (C|ND), Licensed Penetration Tester (L|PT), and more.

Finally, it’s essential to gain firsthand hacking experience. There are several vulnerability testing tools that hackers in training can use, and the C|EH course provides a safe yet immersive practice environment through EC-Council’s iLabs. Cybersecurity professionals also acquire valuable practical experience in the workplace; typically, ethical hackers start out as members of a broader security or IT team and progress through the ranks as they gain experience and additional education.

The Ethical Hacking Process

Most ethical hackers follow this industry-standard six-step process.

1. Reconnaissance

Upon receiving explicit and contractual consent from the organization, the reconnaissance portion of the hacking process can begin. This involves collecting as much information as possible about the “target” using the various tools at the hacker’s disposal, including the company website, internet research, and even social engineering. These are all similar to the types of behaviors that a malicious hacker would engage in when attempting to breach an organization.

2. Environmental Scanning

During this second scanning phase, the hacker moves from passive to active information gathering by looking for ways to infiltrate the network and bypass any intrusion detection systems in place.

3. Gaining System Access

When the hacker is successful in step two, they shift to step three: attacking the network. During this phase, the hacker gains access to the target, determines where the various vulnerabilities lie, and assesses just how much damage could conceivably be dealt now that they have access.

4. Maintaining System Access

Given that it takes on average 228 days to identify a breach (Sobers, 2021), it is safe to assume that the average cybercriminal isn’t in and out. They stick around as long as possible once they have successfully breached a network. In this fourth stage, the hacker explores ways to maintain their access.

5. Clearing Evidence of the Breach

Just as a breaking-and-entering criminal might take the time to clear any evidence of their crime, cybercriminals are likely to do the same in a digital context. In this stage, the hacker will look for any traces of their activity and remove them.

6. Provision of a Final Report

For their final deliverable, the ethical hacker compiles all the lessons learned from their mission and reports them back to the organization, including recommendations for avoiding future security incidents.

The Advantages of Becoming an Ethical Hacker

There are several advantages to pursuing a career as an ethical hacker. The typical ethical hacker’s salary ranges from approximately USD 91,000 to 117,000 (Salary.com, 2022). Given the exponential and ongoing growth of cybercrime—ransomware attacks alone increased by 148% last year (Zaharia, 2022)—the demand for ethical hackers is expected to remain strong in the coming decades. Furthermore, ethical hackers can take pride in knowing that they contribute to keeping integral networks and systems as secure and high functioning as possible.

While the compensation and availability of ethical hacking jobs are expected to remain high for those considering entering the field, becoming a competitive candidate requires a considerable degree of ongoing education and continual upskilling. Fortunately, EC-Council’s C|EH program provides a solid and well-rounded education in ethical hacking, from learning about emerging attack vectors to malware analysis to real-world case studies.

EC-Council is the leading provider of cybersecurity and ethical hacking credentials, having graduated 220,000 certified cybersecurity professionals in 145 countries. With flexible, hands-on learning opportunities and career progression support, EC-Council certifications will give you a competitive advantage as you navigate the exciting field of ethical hacking.

Source: eccouncil.org

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What's the Difference Between Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing?

Ethical hacker and penetration tester are both important roles in the cybersecurity domain, but some confusion exists regarding the difference between them. In this article, we’ll explain what ethical hacking and penetration testing involve, including what differentiates them from one another.

The two roles do share certain similarities: Ethical hackers and penetration testers both identify vulnerabilities in IT environments and work to prevent different types of cyberattacks. The two professions also have comparable high salaries and growth potential. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2021) groups penetration testers and ethical hackers together under the umbrella of “information security analysts,” an employment category with projected growth of 33% between 2020 and 2030. According to PayScale (2021, 2022), the average annual salary for an ethical hacker is $80,000, while the average annual salary for a penetration tester is $87,750. However, despite these similarities, ethical hacking and penetration testing are separate career paths that involve different skill sets. Understanding the difference between the two roles is crucial, particularly for cybersecurity professionals seeking additional credentials, such as EC-Council’s Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH) certification.

The Role of a Penetration Tester

A penetration test is a coordinated assessment carried out by an independent team contracted by an organization, with the client organization defining the scope of the test. The test scope describes what systems need to be tested and what methods the tester will use. The penetration tester then attempts the client’s system according to the scope outlined by the client. The tester exploits any weaknesses they encounter so that they can quantify the risk these vulnerabilities pose to the client.

After testing is complete, the penetration tester prepares a report that includes an executive summary of the test parameters along with vulnerability classification documents and suggestions for remediation. Testers generate a risk score by pairing the penetration test report with the business value of the targeted systems to calculate the level of risk that a cyberattack would pose to the client. The report’s end goal is to provide the client and their stakeholders with information about any security vulnerabilities in the system and outline the actions required to resolve those vulnerabilities.

Penetration testing has many applications in security maturity modeling and risk management. Businesses frequently use penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities in their security infrastructures that cybercriminals can exploit when launching cyberattacks (EC-Council, 2021c). Organizations also use penetration testing for audit compliance to ensure that their operations adhere to relevant laws, regulations, and company policies. For example, if a company is subject to SEC filing requirements, an independent security audit using penetration testing is needed to validate the integrity of the organization’s security infrastructure (EC-Council, 2021a).

The Role of an Ethical Hacker

While penetration testers focus solely on carrying out penetration tests as defined by the client, ethical hacking is a much broader role that uses a greater variety of techniques to prevent different types of cyberattacks (EC-Council, 2021b). Ethical hackers may be involved in:

◉ Web application hacking

◉ System hacking

◉ Web server hacking

◉ Wireless network hacking

◉ Social engineering tests

◉ Forming blue and red teams for network exploitation attacks

An ethical hacker’s responsibilities are not restricted to testing a client’s IT environment for vulnerabilities to malicious attacks. Ethical hackers also play a crucial role in testing an organization’s security policies, developing countermeasures, and deploying defensive resolutions to security issues. When employed by a company as in-house cybersecurity professionals, ethical hackers may help build the foundations of an organization’s cybersecurity system or augment app, tool, and protocol communication networks (EC-Council, 2021a).

While ethical hackers may use penetration testing in the process of identifying vulnerabilities in a system and quantifying the threat that cyberattacks pose to an organization, penetration testing is just one of the many tools that they use. In short, an ethical hacker’s methodologies and roles are more varied than those of a penetration tester.

The Core Differences Between Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing

Below is a summary of the key differences between a penetration tester and an ethical hacker (EC-Council, 2021a).

◉ Penetration testers assess the security of a specific aspect of an information system according to an outlined scope. Ethical hackers carry out many types of cyberattacks on an entire system using multiple attack vectors without being restricted by a scope document.

◉ Penetration testers carry out a one-time, limited-duration engagement. Ethical hackers have a continuous engagement that generates more in-depth and comprehensive results.

◉ Penetration testers need a robust knowledge of the domain or area that their penetration tests will target. Ethical hackers need detailed knowledge of hacking tactics, techniques, and procedures so that they can imitate a cybercriminal’s steps.

◉ Penetration testers are not responsible for the client’s security configuration and incident handling. Ethical hackers are required to assist blue teams and incident handling teams in incident containment and validation for different types of cyberattacks.

◉ Penetration testers must be proficient in writing foolproof reports. Ethical hackers generally do not need to be well versed in report writing.

Ethical hackers can and do use penetration testing as one of their many tools for diagnosing security issues in a client’s security system. However, ethical hackers focus more heavily on building and improving a client’s information security system.

In contrast, penetration testers are devoted solely to carrying out tests that identify and exploit weaknesses in a client’s IT environment and providing detailed reports on all identified vulnerabilities, the risk those vulnerabilities pose to the organization, and suggestions for remedial action. A penetration tester is not involved in fixing identified vulnerabilities; likewise, ethical hackers do not produce penetration test reports for clients.

Earn Globally Recognized Cybersecurity Credentials

A career in either penetration testing or ethical hacking offers engaging and rewarding opportunities in an industry that promises employment stability and growth. At EC-Council, we offer globally recognized penetration testing and ethical hacking certification programs, including the C|EH, C|EH Master, Certified Penetration Testing Professional (C|PENT), and Licensed Penetration Tester (L|PT) Master.

Source: eccouncil.org

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How Ethical Hackers Are Changing the Game in Cybersecurity

It’s strange to think about, but imagine walking into a business and saying, “Yes, hello. I’d like to hack your entire computer network…ethically.”

If the company was smart, they’d respond: “That sounds great—let’s talk.”

The Need for Ethical Hacking

Ethical hacking has become a highly in-demand field. Ethical hackers can conduct a variety of useful assessments (Ahmed, 2021), including:

◉ Exploring a company’s security system to find vulnerabilities

◉ Assisting a company in developing appropriate training tools to close security loopholes and prevent social engineering and phishing attacks

◉ Making recommendations about network vulnerabilities and how to address them

Ethical hacking works well when combined with other cybersecurity measures, such as penetration testing. Penetration testers check for weak points in computer networks, analyze security systems, and identify openings that ethical hackers can exploit. Penetration testing is the first step in testing a network’s security, since it often happens after a vulnerability assessment (a test that helps show where weaknesses lie).

What Is a Certified Ethical Hacker?

EC-Council’s Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH) certification allows cybersecurity professionals to demonstrate their competency in the technical skills required to perform ethical hacking. The certification teaches learners how they can use the most up-to-date hacking tools and information about security flaws to better protect their clients.

The C|EH certification from EC-Council is the leading ethical hacking course available today, as it teaches an array of skills unavailable elsewhere. In the C|EH program, you’ll learn about numerous essential topics, including vulnerability assessments, social engineering and phishing tactics, and penetration testing.

Certified Ethical Hackers Create Value

Ethical hackers have a significant and positive impact on the business community. Consider the following:

◉ Billions of records—including sensitive personal information—have been compromised in hundreds of attacks over the past few years (Lazic, 2021), and businesses are growing increasingly nervous about cybercrime’s potential impact.

◉ By October, the number of cyberattacks in 2021 had already eclipsed all of 2020 (Brooks, 2021).

◉ The average cost and overall number of cyberattacks continue to grow, with ransomware attacks becoming increasingly common (Insurance Information Institute, 2021).

The fact that cybercrime has become such a massively pressing issue demonstrates the importance of ethical hackers. Businesses increasingly need to develop robust anti-hacking protocols, and ethical hackers are a vital part of these security plans.

Career Opportunities for Certified Ethical Hackers

Ethical hacking certifications are not only good for businesses that hire certified ethical hackers—they’re also good for ethical hackers themselves.

What does this mean, exactly? Career opportunities. The demand for ethical hackers is rising, and as many as 3.5 million new computer security positions may open up in the next 3 years; however, hundreds of thousands of these jobs will go unfilled unless more people become qualified cybersecurity professionals (Morgan, 2021).

The laws of supply and demand will likely apply here, pushing salaries higher. As of March 2022, the average salary for a certified ethical hacker is around USD 103,000 (Salary.com, 2022). This salary is well above the average American’s annual pay, and it seems likely to increase in the future.

Comparing Cybersecurity Certifications

EC-Council’s C|EH is the leading certification for those seeking a career in ethical hacking. While you may have seen the C|EH compared with other certifications, like CompTIA’s Security+ and PenTest+, you should know that these comparisons are misleading. Directly comparing the C|EH certification with Sec+ or PenTest+ fails to consider the C|EH’s unique strengths.

The truth is, there’s no one-to-one comparison for these certifications—each is designed to achieve different things. A better comparison would be EC-Council’s Certified Cybersecurity Technician (C|CT) versus Security+ or EC-Council’s Certified Penetration Tester (C|PENT) versus PenTest+. These offerings from EC-Council have numerous advantages, including flexibility, more up-to-date curricula, and integration of real-world examples and practice.

How to Become an Ethical Hacker

Becoming an ethical hacker can be exceptionally useful. Ethical hacking is a valuable skill that can protect an organization and position you for significant career success.

At EC-Council, we’ve developed a robust curriculum for the C|EH program: a serious, in-depth certification designed to give you the industry-relevant skills necessary to become an ethical hacker.

In the C|EH course, you’ll learn about a wide variety of aspects of ethical hacking, including:

◉ The 18 most common attack vectors used by hackers

◉ Modern exploit technologies, including application to existing, new, and emerging vulnerabilities

◉ Contemporary and ongoing cyberattacks, including what you can learn from them and how ethical hackers could have helped prevent them

◉ How to stay on top of the latest technological developments to ensure that your skills are always as sharp and up to date as possible

Source: eccouncil.org

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Five Anti-Forensic Techniques Used to Cover Digital Footprints

Americans lost over USD 4 billion to cyberattacks in 2020 (McCarthy, 2021). Along with this rise in internet crime, advances in anti-forensic techniques have added new layers of complexity for digital forensic investigators. Anti-forensic techniques are designed to prevent individuals who commit cyberattacks from being discovered. In this article, we’ll explain the five anti-forensic techniques that present the most significant challenges for today’s digital forensic investigators

Read More: 312-50: Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

1. Disk Wiping

The first technique is disk wiping: deleting all of the data on a hard drive or media storage device. Anti-forensic tools can be used to erase the contents of a drive, making it difficult for forensic analysts to recover the data. Drive Wiper, for example, is a Windows-based tool that offers the option to wipe a drive securely, erasing the data beyond recovery. Likewise, File Shredder is a Java-based tool that can overwrite files to prevent recovery.

2. File Encryption

The second technique is file encryption, or the process of transforming readable data into an unreadable format using various encryption algorithms. While encrypting files is an effective way to protect them from prying eyes, anti-forensic tools can also be used to encrypt files with the intent of making them difficult to access or decode.

3. Steganography

The third technique is steganography (National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2018). Steganography is the process of hiding messages or files within another file. Anti-forensic tools like Hidden Tear and Stego Watch can be used to hide information in images, audio, and video, among other file types, so that it is difficult for forensic analysts to uncover. Hidden Tear is a Windows-based tool that can hide files within .jpeg, .gif, and .bmp images. Stego Watch is a Java-based tool that can be used to embed hidden information in .jpeg, .gif, and .png image formats.

4. Compression

The fourth technique is compression, which is used to reduce the size of a file (Microsoft, 2021). Compressing files helps reduce their size, making them more difficult to view or decode. Anti-forensic tools like WinZip and PKZIP can compress files for this purpose. WinZip is a Windows-based tool that can compress files. PKZIP is a DOS and Windows-based tool that can also compress files. 

5. Malware

The fifth technique is malware: a type of software designed to damage or disable computers and processes (Abdelaziz, 2018). Specific tools can be used to install malware on a computer, making it difficult for forensic analysts to recover data. Trojan horses are used to install malware on a computer, while ransomware encrypts the contents of a drive, making it inaccessible to the user.

Become a Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator with an EC-Council Certification

These are just some of the anti-forensic techniques that present challenges for digital forensic investigators today. Cyber forensics is an ever-evolving field, and new tools and methods are being developed all the time. Therefore, forensic analysts and cybersecurity experts need to stay up to date on the latest anti-forensic techniques to ensure that they can uncover evidence of wrongdoing.

Source: eccouncil.org

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Ethical hacking – Practical Phishing

Phishing :

It is a way to gather personal information using deceptive e-mails and websites. It is a very regular practice done in every field, it can be done by professional hackers or a normal person also. It can be done through a simple trap link or a fully prepared fake account on Facebook or on some other platform. So it is very important to know how to resist them.

The most common technique that people are using for hacking your personal accounts like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and almost all accounts through Facebook is Trap links. These are the links that are made to trap users and redirect them to any random website where they lost their account credentials.

Important points :

◉ Trap links are sent most often through some of the fake accounts on Facebook. make sure to check the profile before talking to any stranger. If the profile is newly created then it is possible that it can be a fake account.

◉ It is not always compulsory that it is a real account if that account has some mutual friends because most of the time they pick a single account and send friend requests to all their listed friends.

◉ A professional hacker can also create a dummy account that acts as bait in the process of phishing. When someone tries to view that profile or send a friend request to that dummy account then it redirects you to the page where they will say “login to continue” and users accidentally enter their email/phone and password and get hacked.

◉ The third way of trapping users is by sending links in the public domain like groups and comment sections. As Facebook is strictly working in this that no one can send inappropriate links in the form of comments and while posting any photos and videos, but identifying all the links is not possible and hackers may use link shortens and modifiers which makes it much harder for the Facebook community to identify them.

◉ After hacking user’s accounts they often blackmail them to leak their chats and other media and ask for a huge amount of money in place of that.

Identify phishing attacks :

◉ The website where you will be redirected will be something like a clone of some trusted websites like Facebook, Gmail, etc.

◉ It can be some known online game and will ask you “login with Facebook” or “login with Google” or “login to continue”.

◉ Most of the time it will be related to your interest as they try to track your activity and then send you something related to your interest so that you click that link.

◉ Always verify the domain name of that website as it will be something like big companies like Facebook, Netflix, etc. with some spelling mistakes.

Note –

To avoid these kind of activities or if you want to avoid then follow the given below link for your reference to avoid phishing attacks.

Source: geeksforgeeks.org

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Phishing in Ethical Hacking

Go through the “Spam” section of your Email. What do you see?? You might have won a brand new Audi or a mind-boggling amount in a lottery that you didn’t even purchase, asking for credit card details. Or your bank might be asking to verify your account details via email in urgency. Do you see things similar to the above cases in your spam section? This is where Phishing comes into picture.

Phishing is a type of Social Engineering attack that aims to obtain sensitive information including the bank account number, usernames, passwords, and credit card details. It is mostly done by sending fake emails that appear to have come from a legitimate source, or it can be in the form of Vishing. The recipient is mostly manipulated to click a malicious link that can install malware or access sensitive information. Or it can simply be a case of Typosquatting that redirects the recipient to a malicious website in order to obtain login credentials.

Common Features of Phishing Emails:

◉ It will have an eye-catching subject such as “Congratulations! You’ve won an iphone”.

◉ It will reflect a sense of urgency so that the recipient doesn’t get enough time to re-think and make a mistake in the hurry that can later benefit the attackers.

◉ It will have attachments that make no sense with respect to that email.

Threats of Phishing:

Almost all kinds of Internet theft is possible through Phishing. It can be very dangerous if the received malicious link is being clicked. It can:

◉ Redirect to a website used for malicious purposes.

◉ Install malware or Ransomware to the PC.

◉ Steal confidential data of the Internet users such as credit card information.

◉ Steal the identity of the users for the purpose of Identity theft.

Preventive Measures:

The first and foremost thing that I recommend is to go through the email thoroughly. The attackers make tiny mistakes which often gets skipped while reading. Re-check the spellings, the source, the subject before taking any further step.

◉ Computer security tools should be in updated form.

◉ Never open suspicious email attachments.

◉ Never click on suspicious email links.

◉ Don’t provide confidential information via email, over phone or text messages.

◉ Don’t post your personal data, like your vacation plans, or your address or phone number, publicly on social media.

We are surrounded by threats. To mark us safe, all we can do is to spread awareness regarding the threats alongside the preventive measures. Spread awareness among your known ones. Stay safe.

Source: geeksforgeeks.org

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Types of Footprinting in Ethical Hacking

Footprinting is the first step of an attack on information systems in which an attacker collects information about a target network for identifying various ways to intrude into the system. Using this, we can find a number of opportunities to penetrate and assess the target organization’s network.

Types of Footprinting:

1. Passive Footprinting

2. Active Footprinting.

1. Passive Footprinting: 

This involves gathering information about the target without direct interaction. It is a type of footprinting gathering that is mainly useful when there is a requirement that the information-gathering activities are not to be detected by the target is not sent to the target organization from a host or from anonymous hosts or services over the Internet. We can just gather the documented and put away data about the target utilizing web crawlers, social networking websites, etc.

Passive footprinting techniques include: –

1. Finding the Top-level Domains (TLDs) and sub-domains of an objective through web services

2. Gathering area information on the objective through web services

3. Performing individuals search utilizing social networking websites and individuals search services

4. Stealing monetary data about the objective through various monetary services

5. Get-together framework subtleties of the objective association through places of work

6. Checking objective utilizing ready services

7. Social occasion data utilizing gatherings, discussions, and online journals

8. Deciding the working frameworks being used by the objective association

9. Extricating data about the objective utilizing Internet documents

10. Performing competitive intelligence

11. Discovering data through web crawlers

12. Monitoring website traffic of the target

13. Tracking the online reputation of the target

14. Gathering data through social designing on social networking destinations

2. Active Footprinting: –

This involves gathering information about the target with direct interaction. In this type of footprinting, the target may recognize the ongoing information gathering process, as we only interact with the target network.

Active Footprinting techniques include: –

1. Querying published name servers of the target

2. Extracting metadata of published documents and files

3. Stealing a lot of website information using various types of mirroring and web spidering tools

4. Gathering information through email tracking

5. Performing Whois lookup

6. Extracting DNS information

7. Performing traceroute analysis

8. Performing social engineering

The major goals of footprinting incorporate gathering the organization data, mainframe data, and hierarchical data of the victim. By directing footprinting across various organization levels, we can acquire precious data, for example, network blocks, explicit IP addresses, representative subtleties, etc. Such data can help the network intruders in accessing confidential information or performing different types of hacks on the objective organization.

Source: geeksforgeeks.org

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How Should I Start Learning Ethical Hacking on My Own?

Ethical hacking refers to offensive testing of computer systems in order to find out security-related loopholes. These loopholes are called security vulnerabilities. It has been a very popular career choice for students of all backgrounds(non-CS students can also learn it easily and be equally good as CS students, or even better than them).

Since ethical hacking is about compromising the systems, it assumes familiarity with how those systems actually work. During your process of hacking(ethically), you will come across networks, networking devices, networking protocols, websites, web technologies, content delivery mechanisms, and many more components of online infrastructures. Being comfortable with what these components do and how they work together is essential. Knowledge of the markup language of the web (HTML) a scripting language(JavaScript) a data transfer language(XML or JSON), components of a web-based system, knowledge of computer networks and TCP/IP suite, knowledge of basic programming in C/C++/Java/Python is good enough to get you started.

You can learn ethical hacking effectively by following this two-step process. The first step would be to learn about concepts and to understand them well. On the internet, the resources for learning are available in abundance. We recommend:

Recommended Books

1. Hacking for Dummies: The “for dummies” series of Wiley focuses on publishing beginner-friendly books on various topics. This book introduces the user to ethical hacking through concepts and tools. It is very useful for people who want to start learning ethical hacking but are not very comfortable with programming. This should however be understood that being an elite hacker is almost impossible without learning to program.

2. CEHv10 Study Guide by SYBEX: This book is aimed to aid the preparation of CEH(Certified Ethical Hacker), a popular certification course in ethical hacking. It explains the ethical hacking methodology and the phases of it. Each phase of ethical hacking is well explained with details of the concepts and practice on the tools.

3. Hacking, The Art of Exploitation: This book has been very popular in the community of white hat hackers for a long time. Probably because of the content it covers and the depth it goes into. The good thing about this book is that even if you are a novice with absolutely no knowledge about programming and networks, you can still benefit immensely. The book covers Basic Programming in C, Scripting with Bash, basics of memory management in computers, filesystems, overflow based vulnerabilities and their exploitation, basic networking, attacks on networks, writing shell-code, and cryptology.

Popular Online Courses

1. Udemy: These cybersecurity ethical hacking courses have been already taken by many people and their rating is quite good, so we are assuming these will be really useful for your self-learning.

Learn Ethical Hacking From Scratch

2. PentesterLab: PentesterLab is useful for beginners and advanced learners equally. Their beginner-friendly tutorials and labs are from highly successful ethical hackers and bug bounty hunters and they are also well known as instructors and mentors.

3. Pentester Academy: Pentester Academy is a platform of learning for beginners as well as seasoned hackers. They have courses and online labs for major vulnerabilities. Pentester Lab also has courses on programming, forensics, VoIP, DevOps Security, Red/Blue team, etc.

YouTube Channels

1. JackkTutorials: Provides hands-on introductory tutorials to almost all the important concepts, tools, and skills related to ethical hacking.

2. Thenewboston: This channel not only covers the basics of practical ethical hacking but also provides tutorials on programming, app development, graphic design, chemistry, databases, video editing, etc.

3. HackerSploit: Hackersploit is highly popular among bug bounty beginners. It has penetration testing tutorials, CTF walkthroughs, Bug bounty hunting tips, programming tutorials, malware analysis tutorials, steganography tutorials, etc.

LiveOverflow, Nahamsec, Bugcrowd, and HackerOne are also very good and worth checking out.

Websites and Blogs

These websites are useful for staying up to date with recent findings, for getting quick references, for understanding advanced concepts, and more.

1. PortSwigger’s Blog: Dafydd Stuttart is known as portswigger in the hacker community. He is a co-creator of the BurpSuite tool. His blog contains news about the Latest web application vulnerabilities, new features of BurpSuite, tips on how to use BurpSuite well, and his own findings as a bug bounty hunter.

2. TheHackerNews: A dedicated platform for the latest cybersecurity-related news. The Hacker News provides detailed information about the latest vulnerabilities, new developments in the cybersecurity domain, news related to cybercrimes, data breaches, hacktivism, etc.

3. HackerOne Hactivity(disclosed vulnerability reports): HackerOne is a bug bounty platform. Bug bounty programs may allow public disclosure of a vulnerability report after it is resolved. These reports can be used to understand how to look for vulnerabilities on a target, how to perform reconnaissance, how to approach interesting endpoints, how to exploit a vulnerability for maximum impact, and what kind of vulnerabilities are commonly found on a specific type of target.

The second step is practice: Practicing is very important because it will help you absorb the concepts you have learned. It will also help you gain confidence in your skills. Intentionally vulnerable virtual systems and CTFs are the best way to practice. bWApp, DVWA(Damn Vulnerable Web Application), Metasploitable are some of the best vulnerable VMs. The OWASP has put up an index of vulnerable virtual machines, which can be accessed here.

Source: geeksforgeeks.org

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Forced Browsing – Ethical Hacking

A Forced browsing attack is a vulnerability in which an unauthorized user has access to the contents of an authorized user. Forced browsing is an attack when a Web application has more than one user privilege level for the same user. Thus, an attacker gets sensitive information which should otherwise not be accessible to him/her.The attacker can use a brute force approach to get common directories, files, or information of user accounts present on the website.Forced browsing is named so because we are forcefully browsing the URL which only an authorized user is supposed to browse.Also, using forceful browsing, a hacker can get access to common files that may contain important data.Forced browsing attacks can also be performed using hit and trial method where application index pages and directories are based on predictable values. Due to its severity, it’s ranked in OWASP Top 10 vulnerability list.

Concept

Users of a website have a different set of privileges.A website is not vulnerable only if users cannot access admin privileges, but if users access admin rights and commands by simple copy and paste of admin URL, he/she can do a lot of damage to the website and to the company.

How The Attack Works

Example 1

Let’s assume a user logs on to his account and the URL is- www.gfg.com/info/user1.php. Now, he copies this URL and pastes it in the incognito mode tab.If the same page opens, it means the website isn’t checking for authentication. The user can modify the URL by a hit and trial or brute force approach like this-www.gfg.com/info/user2.php and load the page. He will get information of user2 present on that website without asking for password or email ID or any sort of identity verification to access the account of user2.Similarly, if the user gets the URL of the admin somehow, he will be able to get admin privileges without any authentication.So, this vulnerability is critical.

Example 2

Let’s assume a user logged in to Amazon website has a URL- www.amazon.com/orders/123. Now, he identifies that 123 is his order ID. he changes this value to see whether he can see random users orders or not. He modified the URL to www.amazon.com/orders/122. Now if the Amazon website has a forced browsing vulnerability, the website will show it the orders of a random customer having an order ID of 122. Thus, the attacker being an authorized user gained access to unauthenticated content which he is not supposed to get.

Forceful Browsing Methods

◉ Manual prediction: As discussed in the above example, where the user manually (using hit and trial method) finds out that the website suffers from forced browsing vulnerability by simply changing some values of the URL.

◉ Automated prediction: This method includes using automated tools like dirbuster for finding out common files and directory names that might contain sensitive information.

◉ Open-source methods: The “Exploit.db” is a platform that lists out the vulnerability of most of the application software and websites.One can take the help of this website to further learn about the attacks.

How To Avoid Forced Browsing

◉ For every web page that is accessed, the developer must ensure that only the authenticated user is authorized to gain access to the content.

◉ Authenticated users shouldn’t be able to use authorized content. An authorization check is needed at every step to ensure security.

◉ Creating a white list, allowing explicit access to a set of URLs that are considered, allows part of the application to exercise its functionality as intended. Any request not in this URL space is denied by default.

Source: geeksforgeeks.org

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How to Set Up a Personal Lab for Ethical Hacking?

Ethical hacking is a skill that is learned over time. It requires practice and patience to get to a decent skill level in this field. Having a lab setup handy can help you a lot in your learning. A lab lets you practice your skills in a controlled environment, reducing the risks that arise from practicing on real systems. Having your virtual lab will help you in many ways:

◉ You can practice anytime as per your convenience.

◉ You don’t have to put your data under the dangers of getting wiped because of malware infection.

◉ You are also saved from legal troubles that may result from testing on a real website that you do not own.

◉ You get the freedom to experiment and tweak around (mostly impossible with online labs).

The requirements for setting up the lab are hardware and software tools. Let’s go through the hardware requirements first.

1. Hardware Requirements:

◉ A laptop or a desktop with as much RAM and processor power you can arrange.

◉ A large HDD or SSD to store your tools and other important files.

◉ A host OS for your computer system. It can be Windows, Linux( any family, any flavor) or Mac OS depending on your choice.

◉ Latest security patches must be installed on your guest OS before you start.

◉ A WiFi adapter that supports monitor mode. (Optional)

2. Software Requirements:

◉ Virtual Machine Player or Hypervisor: This will be used to host all the guest operating systems, vulnerable virtual machines, and test servers. There are many free and paid options for hypervisors provided by many vendors. For example, VMware has VMWare workstation, Oracle has Oracle VirtualBox and Microsoft has HyperV. You can choose any of these depending on your choice and budget.

◉ Guest Operating Systems: Guest operating systems will include unpatched versions of Windows and Linux. These will be installed to test for zero-days and other vulnerabilities for which patches, as well as exploits, have been released.

◉ Vulnerable VMs: Vulnerable Virtual Machines are developed intentionally for being highly vulnerable. Most of the VMs are parts of hacking events and are released later online. These VMs are usually CTFs with hidden strings that are to be found after compromising (pwning) the VM. Some popular vulnerable VMs are Metasploitable, OWASP broken web application, DVWA(Damn Vulnerable Web Application), BadStore, De-Ice, and Multidae, etc.

3. Essential Tools:

Once you have found and installed your favorite vulnerable assets, it is now time to get the tools required for pwning them. Install these tools on your computer to get started.

◉ Metasploit Framework (MSF): An open-source version of the Metasploit tool is used extensively for exploiting known vulnerabilities in systems and software. The exploit list is updates regularly with exploits of most recent findings that went public.

◉ WireShark: It is a tool used by network administrators but you can use it to supplement your hacking tools arsenal. For you as a hacker(ethical, of course) this tool will help in network pentesting by the same basic feature of network monitoring :it can help you harvest sensitive data like plaintext passwords over unencrypted connections(http, telnet), analyze malware behavior by figuring out the endpoints it tries to connect, and many more.

◉ Nmap: One tool to rule ’em all, it is used by almost every penetration tester. It is a port scanner with a set of additional utilities like OS detection and network mapping(nmap stands for “network mapper” ). It can be automated by writing scripts in NSE(nmap scripting environment). Port scans are used to enumerate services and applications on the target. These enumeration data can be really useful in some cases for pwning the target.

◉ John The Ripper: It is a free and open-source password cracking tool which is highly popular among penetration testers. Popularity is the reason why it is available on fifteen platforms. The tools were initially designed for cracking UNIX password hashes. However, the latest stable release from May 2019 supports Windows NTLM, Kerberos and hundreds of other hashes.

◉ Burpsuite or OWASP ZAP: Both are great all in one tool for penetration testing web applications. Learning about hacking web applications is crucial for an aspiring (ethical) hacker since most of the services are provided online. These two tool-sets contain all the tools you will need for hacking (ethically) into a web application.

◉ Kali Linux: It is an operating system developed primarily for white hat hackers and penetration testers. This OS has a wide array of tools for almost every task before, during and after a penetration testing session. It contains all the tools mentioned above (No need for installing them manually).

Source: geeksforgeeks.org

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