The possibility of cyber attacks is a major issue, with the global average cost of a data breach expected to reach $4.45 million in 2023, a 15% increase over the previous three years, according to an IBM analysis. This stark figure highlights the growing financial and reputational threats companies face, emphasising the importance of ethical hacking in an increasingly interconnected world.
Ethical hackers are the first line of defence, utilising their knowledge to replicate cyber attacks under controlled conditions. These individuals play an important role in averting potentially disastrous data breaches, financial loss, and reputational harm caused by cyber attacks by proactively fixing security vulnerabilities before they are exploited.
This article explores the importance of ethical hacking, the tactics used by ethical hackers, and how to pursue a career in this vital sector of cyber security.
What is ethical hacking?
Ethical hacking, commonly referred to as penetration testing or white-hat hacking, is a technique for testing computer systems, networks, or online applications for security flaws. Unlike criminal hackers, who attempt to make money from vulnerabilities, ethical hackers utilise their expertise to uncover and patch them before they are exploited.
They utilise their expertise with authorization, hoping to improve security posture before a real hacker exploits vulnerabilities. This preemptive strike against possible breaches is an important part of modern cyber security tactics and a technique of protecting against the most dangerous cyber security threats. Ethical hacking adheres to a fixed code of ethics and legal restrictions.
Ethical hackers must have clear permission to explore systems and ensure that their actions do not stray into illegal territory. Respect for privacy, data integrity, and the lawful exploitation of uncovered vulnerabilities is critical.
Methodologies of Ethical Hacking
Ethical hackers employ a variety of methodologies to assess the security of information systems. These include:
Risk assessment: Scanning systems and networks to identify known vulnerabilities.
Penetration testing: Simulating cyber attacks to evaluate the effectiveness of security measures.
Social engineering: Testing the human element of security through phishing simulations and other tactics.
Security auditing: Examining the adherence of systems and policies to security standards and best practices.
Process of ethical hacking
Step 1: Reconnaissance - The ethical hacker collects as much information about the target system or network as possible utilising techniques such as WHOIS databases, search engines, and social media to obtain publically available information.
Step 2: Scanning – They look for live hosts, open ports, services running on those hosts, and vulnerabilities connected with them. Nmap may be used to scan ports, while Nessus or OpenVAS can be used to check for vulnerabilities that can be exploited.
Step 3: Gaining Access – They use the identified vulnerabilities to gain unauthorised access to the system or network. Metasploit is commonly used to exploit vulnerabilities. Other tools include SQL injection tools for database attacks, as well as password cracking programmes such as John the Ripper or Hydra.
Step 4: Maintaining Access – Ensure continued access to the target for further exploration and analysis without being detected. Tools like backdoors and trojans are used to maintain access, while ensuring to operate stealthily to avoid detection by security systems.
Step 5: Covering Tracks – Delete evidence of the hacking process to avoid detection by system administrators or security software. Log tampering and the use of tools to clear or modify entries in system logs. Tools such as CCleaner can also be used to erase footprints.
