What is Ethical Hacking

The term ‘Hacker’ was coined to describe experts who used their skills to re-develop mainframe
systems, increasing their efficiency and allowing them to multi-task. Nowadays, the term
routinely describes skilled programmers who gain unauthorized access into computer systems
by exploiting weaknesses or using bugs, motivated either by malice or mischief. For example, a
hacker can create algorithms to crack passwords, penetrate networks, or even disrupt network
services.

The primary motive of malicious/unethical hacking involves stealing valuable information or

financial gain. However, not all hacking is bad. This brings us to the second type of hacking:
Ethical hacking. So what is ethical hacking, and why do we need it? And in this article, you will
learn all about what is ethical hacking and more.
What is Ethical Hacking?
Ethical hacking is an authorized practice of detecting vulnerabilities in an application, system, or
organization’s infrastructure and bypassing system security to identify potential data breaches
and threats in a network. Ethical hackers aim to investigate the system or network for weak
points that malicious hackers can exploit or destroy. They can improve the security footprint to
withstand attacks better or divert them.

The company that owns the system or network allows Cyber Security engineers to perform such
activities in order to test the system’s defenses. Thus, unlike malicious hacking, this process is
planned, approved, and more importantly, legal.

Ethical hackers aim to investigate the system or network for weak points that malicious hackers
can exploit or destroy. They collect and analyze the information to figure out ways to strengthen
the security of the system/network/applications. By doing so, they can improve the security
footprint so that it can better withstand attacks or divert them.

Ethical hackers are hired by organizations to look into the vulnerabilities of their systems and
networks and develop solutions to prevent data breaches. Consider it a high-tech permutation of
the old saying “It takes a thief to catch a thief.”

They check for key vulnerabilities include but are not limited to:

● Injection attacks
● Changes in security settings
● Exposure of sensitive data
● Breach in authentication protocols
● Components used in the system or network that may be used as access points

Now, as you have an idea of what is ethical hacking, it's time to learn the type of hackers.
Types of Hackers

Using the term hacking or hacker usually has a negative connotation in its definition.
Malicious hackers are often highly skilled in coding and programming, and modifying
computer software and hardware systems to gain unauthorized access. However, not all
hackers are created equal, and they’re not always cybercriminals.

Hacking consists of conducting technical activities with the intent of exploiting

vulnerabilities within a computer system, network or firewall to obtain unauthorized
access. It involves misusing digital devices such as computers, networks, smartphones
and tablets.

The goal of hacking is to manipulate digital devices in order to cause damage or corrupt
operating systems. It also allows hackers to collect user information, steal sensitive
information and documents or perform other disruptive data related activities.

While hackers can be both ethical and malicious, most fall within three main types of
hacking. These three main varieties of hackers are authorized, unauthorized and
grey-hat hackers. Each type has different intents and purposes for their exploits. Let's
explore each of these types of hackers and how they operate.

Unauthorized Hackers

Unauthorized hackers, also called black-hat hackers, are malicious types of hackers.
These hackers often use their technical skills and knowledge to seize control of
computers and operating systems with the intent of stealing valuable data.
Unauthorized hackers will utilize many methods to gain unauthorized access to
computer systems and networks to steal sensitive organization or individual data.

Unauthorized hackers are often the criminals behind many significant data breaches
and exploits. Most of them commonly use malware, social engineering and denial of
service tactics to execute attacks against organizations.

Unauthorized hackers may act on their own, as part of a larger cybercrime organization
or on behalf of an enemy nation-state. Most are motivated by reputation, monetary gain,
or espionage conducted on both nation-states and corporations.

Authorized Hackers

Authorized hackers, also called white-hat hackers, are what many in the information
security industry call ethical hackers. While most unauthorized hackers do not follow
laws or permissions to target systems, authorized hackers will. They are expected to
follow a code of ethics while also following established laws and access permissions
when conducting their activities.

Authorized hackers are generally hired directly by companies or clients to test operating
systems, hardware, software and network vulnerabilities. They will utilize their hacking
knowledge, skills and expertise to help companies improve their security posture from
attacks.

Authorized hackers break into systems to find vulnerabilities so that companies can
patch their systems and mitigate potential cyber threats. They also conduct penetration
tests as a part of their role. Penetration testing will expose the weaknesses in a network
to test its security measures. It can also determine how vulnerable it is to attacks from
malicious hackers.

Grey-Hat Hackers

Aside from the authorized and unauthorized hackers, there is another type of hacker
that is a blend of both. These types of hackers are commonly called grey-hat hackers.
Grey-hat hackers are individuals who exploit security vulnerabilities to spread public
awareness that the vulnerability exists. While these hackers do not share the malicious
intent commonly attributed to unauthorized hackers, they also don’t necessarily adhere
to a code of ethics like authorized hackers.

Grey-hat hackers may opt to reveal the security vulnerability privately to the company or
manufacturer without publicizing the results. However, many grey-hat hackers will
publicly exploit the vulnerability found in hardware or software programs without
manufacturer permission to raise awareness of the problem.

A common concern within the cybersecurity industry is that when a grey hat releases an
exploit, it makes it easier for malicious hackers to steal information and data from
systems.

For instance, a group of grey-hat hackers identified and released a security gap in
several models of Linux routers. This release resulted in updates for companies and
individuals, allowing for closing that security gap. However, the exposure may have also
resulted in many attacks on individuals and organizations because the exploit was
released publicly.
White Hat Hacker vs Black Hat Hacker
The best way to differentiate between White Hat and Black Hat hackers is by taking a look at
their motives. Black Hat hackers are motivated by malicious intent, manifested by personal
gains, profit, or harassment; whereas White Hat hackers seek out and remedy vulnerabilities, so
as to prevent Black Hats from taking advantage.

The other ways to draw a distinction between White Hat and Black Hat hackers include:

● Techniques Used
White Hat hackers duplicate the techniques and methods followed by malicious hackers
in order to find out the system discrepancies, replicating all the latter’s steps to find out
how a system attack occurred or may occur. If they find a weak point in the system or
network, they report it immediately and fix the flaw.
● Legality
Even though White Hat hacking follows the same techniques and methods as Black Hat
hacking, only one is legally acceptable. Black Hat hackers break the law by penetrating
systems without consent.
● Ownership
White Hat hackers are employed by organizations to penetrate their systems and detect
security issues. Black hat hackers neither own the system nor work for someone who
owns it.

After understanding what is ethical hacking, the types of ethical hackers, and knowing the
difference between white-hat and black-hat hackers, let's have a look at the ethical hacker roles
and responsibilities.

How Ethical Hackers Differ From Malicious Hackers

Ethical hackers work with companies, the government and other organizations to
identify potential vulnerabilities in their systems. This intel can be used to fix security
issues and vulnerabilities before adversaries have a chance to exploit them.

There are several significant other ways that ethical hacking is different from malicious
hacking:

● Ethical hackers are hired to test vulnerability and not steal anything from the
systems they’re testing. Their main goal is to only look for gaps in the system's
security defenses.
● Ethical hackers utilize several methods to test systems apart from just attempting
to gain access through illegal pathways. These paths can include brute force
attacks or using keyloggers to reveal user-password vulnerability. They will also
 utilize legal methods of gaining access that mirror real-world attackers, known as
the ethical hacking methodology.
● Ethical hackers follow a strict code of ethics when conducting the tests that guide
their work. This code prohibits them from sharing how they breached security
measures with anyone outside the client or organization. As a result, most
companies and organizations are more likely to trust an ethical hacker.

What are the Roles and Responsibilities of an Ethical

Hacker?
Ethical hackers often have job responsibilities that go beyond lawfully hacking systems
for security issues. The primary goal of an ethical hacker is to test and identify
vulnerabilities in an organization's system and correct them.

Ethical hackers are expected to follow specific guidelines to perform hacking for
organizations legally. These guidelines include approval from the system owner before
executing the security review.

Ethical Hackers must follow certain guidelines in order to perform hacking legally. A good hacker
knows his or her responsibility and adheres to all of the ethical guidelines. Here are the most
important rules of Ethical Hacking:

● An ethical hacker must seek authorization from the organization that owns the system.
Hackers should obtain complete approval before performing any security assessment on
the system or network.
● Determine the scope of their assessment and make known their plan to the organization.
● Report any security breaches and vulnerabilities found in the system or network.
● Keep their discoveries confidential. As their purpose is to secure the system or network,
ethical hackers should agree to and respect their non-disclosure agreement.
● Erase all traces of the hack after checking the system for any vulnerability. It prevents
malicious hackers from entering the system through the identified loopholes.
● Discovering the operating system and network weaknesses in an organization's
technology infrastructure.
● Demonstrating how easy it is to launch cyberattacks on their company using
penetration-testing methods.
● Executing security assessment simulations to show how easily they could be
hacked by someone else.
● Reporting any security breaches and vulnerabilities discovered within the system
or network directly to the owner or manager of that system.
● Keeping the discoveries confidential between them and the client or company.
 ● Wiping traces of the hack to ensure that malicious hackers cannot enter the
system through the identified loopholes.

Key Benefits of Ethical Hacking

Learning ethical hacking involves studying the mindset and techniques of black hat hackers and
testers to learn how to identify and correct vulnerabilities within networks. Studying ethical
hacking can be applied by security pros across industries and in a multitude of sectors. This
sphere includes network defender, risk management, and quality assurance tester.

However, the most obvious benefit of learning ethical hacking is its potential to inform and
improve and defend corporate networks. The primary threat to any organization's security is a
hacker: learning, understanding, and implementing how hackers operate can help network
defenders prioritize potential risks and learn how to remediate them best. Additionally, getting
ethical hacking training or certifications can benefit those who are seeking a new role in the
security realm or those wanting to demonstrate skills and quality to their organization.

You understood what is ethical hacking, and the various roles and responsibilities of an ethical
hacker, and you must be thinking about what skills you require to become an ethical hacker. So,
let's have a look at some of the ethical hacker skills.