How to learn ethical hacking

What is hacking  

Ethical hacking means accessing someone’s computer without their permission to change, access, share, and modify that data for personal gain or interests. Hackers, with the use of technology and their expertise, access the information and sensitive data of the organization and then use it to spoil the reputation of the organization or individual for their interests. To spread malware, hacking includes many activities like sharing someone’s personal information with the help of technology and techniques.

Types of hackers. 

The three basic types of hackers are as follows: 

1. White-hat hackers (ethical hackers)

Ethical hackers use their knowledge and guts for the betterment of the organization by identifying vulnerabilities and securing data from illegal use. 

2. Black-hat hackers 

Black hackers use their experience for negative purposes; they hack computer networks to access sensitive data and information for their interests. 

3. Grey-hat hackers 

A type of hacker who is involved in hacking without any negative interests. they access the data and information of the organization without permission just to know the vulnerabilities of the organization. 

What is ethical hacking? 

Ethical hacking is also known as white hat hacking. Ethical hacking is the technique of using hacking tricks to recognize security flaws in a network, computer, software, and application. For an organization, ethical hackers work to protect their sensitive data, secure their security posture, and protect against harmful attacks.

Ethical hacking is also termed penetration. It is the primary role of the ethical hacker to save, secure, and manage the sensitive information of the organization. Ethical hackers can access the system of the organization. They must secure that information for the betterment of the organization so that their personal information remains safe from others.

History of ethical hacking. 

• Birth of hacking. 

1960-1970 led the way towards hacking when computers and technology were added to academic and academic research. individuals start to explore more and more about computers and technology day by day. 

• Rise of hacking culture 

The 1980s are the era of the rise of the culture of hacking. individuals have too much knowledge about computers and information technology, thus trying to go beyond boundaries. Motivated by intellectual curiosity or personal interests, they not only understand computer technology but also begin to manipulate the computer system.  Hugo Cornwall published his book in 1985 named “The Hacker’s Handbook. In this book, he wrote about the tricks of hacking.  The book helps both illegal and ethical rise.  

• Acknowledgment and formalization. 

In the 1980s-1990s, the thread and vulnerabilities of computers became clear. the necessity of protecting and securing data and information has become a need. with permission to identify threats and vulnerabilities and describe activities in ethical hacking gains traction. in this era, individuals understand to use hacking tricks for the betterment (ethical hacking).

• Professionalization 

The recognition and professionalization of ethical hacking became a considerable step in the 2000s. In 2003 the organization EC-Council presented the Certificate Ethical Hacking (CEH). They provide systematized training and validation for professionals in this field. This supports ethical hacking to become a recognizable career.

• Cybersecurity practice 

In 2010 ethical hacking became an essential part of cybersecurity for the security purposes of the organization in different fields and industries. With the rise of hacking and security issues, ethical hacking plays its role to identify and solve problems before any loss.  

• In the modern era. 

In the age of information technology, ethical hackers play a very important role by accessing the internet, mobile devices, computer networks, and other sources just with the motive to save an organization and individual from vulnerability and black hackers. 

. Qualities of ethical hackers. 

Some plus points and qualities of ethical hackers are as follows:. 

1. Technical skills 

Ethics hackers must be professionals in programming languages like C++, Java, and Python. Ethical hackers must have good knowledge of computers and their programs and know Linux, Windows, etc. Ethical hackers know about how computers and their software work. 

2. Devotion 

Ethical hackers require up-to-date skills and tricks. he must have the ability to solve difficult problems; he should have the ability to analyze difficult systems and identify harmful attacks.

3. Honest 

To work on sensitive data and systems, ethical hackers must be trusted. They serve their knowledge for the betterment of the organization with the help of ethical guidelines. 

4. Consistent with learning 

Ethical hackers stay consistent with learning because they know that with new threats, cybersecurity is constantly changing, which is why they stay up-to-date to stay reliable with their work. 

5. Tactful 

Ethical hackers can access sensitive data or information. So they, according to their duty, keep this data and information safe from threads so that it can’t be leaked or misused. 

6. Communication skills. 

Having good communication skills is very necessary for an ethical hacker. He can solve complex issues and can understand the black hacker tricks. so they must have abilities to explain the issues in the report and also to explain it to the nontechnical staff of the organization to understand the issue and to resolve it. 

7. Thinking ethically. 

Ethical hackers work ethically to improve the security of the organization. they never use illegal sources at any cost. When they crack the issue, they find possible legal ways to get rid of it instead of using illegal sources. 

8. Logical thinking 

Ethical hackers can approach security evaluation with a logical mindset. They systematically assess the position of the organization, review risks, and manage the framework. 

9. Trustworthy. 

Every organization has some sensitive data that they want to save from other organizations or third parties. When someone tries to hack that data, ethical hackers seize it ethically. but in that situation, ethical hackers also get access to that information. Thus, ethical hackers have a trustworthy personality, and for that reason, the organization can trust them to access sensitive data. 

10. Prefer teamwork 

Ethical hackers work based on a team consisting of IT staff, cybersecurity staff, or often the staff of the organization. sharing inside balance or alignment, they collaborate effectively to maintain the security position of the organization. 

What skills are required to become an ethical hacker? 

An ethical hacker with a good knowledge of computers must have the following skills 

• An ethical hacker must be an expert in scripting different languages to explain the issue in the report. 
• Ethical hackers must be professionals in computer operating systems to crack the problem and issues. 
• An ethical hacker must know computer networks and all networking.
• In information security, ethical hackers should have a solid foundation. 

Steps to become an ethical hacker 

1. Well-versed with Linux

To become an ethical hacker, you must get your hands on Linux to ensure the security of computer systems. Linux is the globally used operating system for hacking, so to become an ethical hacker, keep your grip on it. Linux provides many tools for hacking, like Ubuntu, Backtrack, Red Hat Linux, Kali Linux, and many more. To hack Kali Linux is the best and most popular tool. 

2. Complete knowledge of the language 

C language is the mother of all languages, and the system of the computer is completely written in C language. So to hack the computer operating system, you need to understand the C language. 

3. Learn the art to be known. 

For ethical hackers, it is very important to hide their identity. proxy chain and mackchanger are the best tools to hide your identity. It is very important to hide identity while accessing the website because if the same website is accessed by the black hacker and he knows that someone else is also accessing it, he might change or modify the information.  

4. Knowledgeable with networks

An ethical hacker must know networks and protocols and how they are created and work. Hackers must have deep knowledge of network tools like Wireshark, Nmap, and many more. 

5. Dark web 

Some websites remain hidden and not shown in search engines. With the help of a website, Tor hackers can access the dark web because it requires authentication. ethical hackers must learn about the dark web because not everything in the dark web is illegal. Ethical hackers must learn how the dark web works. 

6. Identify vulnerabilities 

With the help of Kali Linux, ethical hackers must have the guts to scan and identify the weakness in the system so that it is covered on time before the thread. 

Stages of the carrier of an ethical hacker. 

• Ethical hackers can start their career by obtaining an A+ certificate or passing out degrees in computer science. 
• After graduation in science, hackers must have learned about computer networks, like what networks are, how to install them, how they work, etc. 
• After learning about networks, it is time to work on networks and get certificates in security like CISSP, security+, and TICSA.
• After learning information security, now it’s time to work with information security itself; this is the major step in the career of hacking. 

Final words. 

Ethical hacking is a good field if hackers work for the betterment of the organization. hacking into someone’s network or computer without permission is an illegal or criminal act. To become an ethical hacker, you must polish yourself and make yourself trustworthy because the organization never handed their data to anyone. If you want to find your career in hacking, then white-hat hacking or ethical hacking is the best field for you. To become an ethical hacker, you should learn about networks and computer operating systems and require a certificate. After becoming an ethical hacker, your main motive should be to stay loyal to your work.