Ethical hacking is the practice of identifying vulnerabilities in computer systems in an authorized manner to improve their security.

What is Ethical Hacking?

Ethical hacking is the process of finding vulnerabilities in systems, networks or applications with the explicit permission of the owner to improve security.

Ethical Hacking Types

Web Application Testing

  • Website testing: Identify vulnerabilities in web applications
  • OWASP Top 10: Focus on most common vulnerabilities
  • Authentication and authorization: Test access controls

Mobile Application Testing

  • iOS/Android Apps: Evaluate mobile application security
  • Local storage: Verify data protection
  • Communications: Analyze network traffic

WiFi Security Testing

  • Wireless networks: Evaluate WiFi security
  • WPA/WPA2/WPA3: Test security protocols
  • Evil Twin: Detect malicious networks

Network Penetration Testing

  • Network infrastructure: Evaluate network security
  • Firewalls and routers: Test configurations
  • Segmentation: Verify network isolation

Application Security Testing

  • Enterprise software: Evaluate internal applications
  • APIs: Test programming interfaces
  • Database: Evaluate data security

Ethical Hacking Methodologies

OWASP Testing Guide

  1. Information Gathering: Information gathering
  2. Configuration and Deployment Management: Configuration management
  3. Identity Management: Identity management
  4. Authentication: Authentication
  5. Authorization: Authorization
  6. Session Management: Session management
  7. Input Validation: Input validation
  8. Error Handling: Error handling
  9. Cryptography: Cryptography
  10. Business Logic: Business logic

PTES (Penetration Testing Execution Standard)

  1. Pre-engagement: Preparation
  2. Intelligence Gathering: Intelligence gathering
  3. Threat Modeling: Threat modeling
  4. Vulnerability Analysis: Vulnerability analysis
  5. Exploitation: Exploitation
  6. Post Exploitation: Post-exploitation
  7. Reporting: Reporting

Common Tools

Reconnaissance

  • Nmap: Port and service scanning
  • Recon-ng: Reconnaissance framework
  • theHarvester: Information gathering
  • Shodan: Device search engine

Vulnerability Analysis

  • Nessus: Vulnerability scanner
  • OpenVAS: Open source scanner
  • Qualys: Cloud service
  • Rapid7: Security platform

Exploitation

  • Metasploit: Exploitation framework
  • Burp Suite: Web application testing
  • OWASP ZAP: Security proxy
  • SQLMap: Automated SQL injection

Post-exploitation

  • Mimikatz: Credential extraction
  • BloodHound: Active Directory analysis
  • Empire: Post-exploitation framework
  • Cobalt Strike: Red team platform

Social Engineering

Phishing

  • Email phishing: Malicious emails
  • Spear phishing: Targeted attacks
  • Whaling: Executive attacks
  • Vishing: Voice phishing

Social Engineering Techniques

  • Pretexting: Create false scenarios
  • Baiting: Offer incentives
  • Quid pro quo: Exchange favors
  • Tailgating: Follow authorized persons

Ethical Phishing

  • Controlled simulations: Awareness testing
  • Effectiveness measurement: Response metrics
  • Training: Personnel education
  • Continuous improvement: Program refinement

Bypass Techniques

Firewall Bypass

  • Port knocking: Port sequences
  • Tunneling: Covert tunnels
  • Protocol tunneling: Use of allowed protocols
  • Fragmentation: Packet fragmentation

IDS/IPS Evasion

  • Traffic fragmentation: Traffic fragmentation
  • Timing attacks: Time-based attacks
  • Encryption: Payload encryption
  • Protocol confusion: Protocol confusion

Antivirus Evasion

  • Packing: Malware packing
  • Obfuscation: Code obfuscation
  • Polymorphism: Polymorphic code
  • Encryption: Payload encryption

Reports and Documentation

Report Structure

  1. Executive Summary: Executive summary
  2. Methodology: Methodology used
  3. Findings: Findings found
  4. Risk Assessment: Risk assessment
  5. Recommendations: Recommendations
  6. Remediation: Remediation plan

Vulnerability Classification

  • Critical: Critical (9.0-10.0)
  • High: High (7.0-8.9)
  • Medium: Medium (4.0-6.9)
  • Low: Low (0.1-3.9)
  • Info: Informational (0.0)

Certifications

CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)

  • EC-Council: Recognized certification
  • Practice: Focus on practical techniques
  • Renewal: Requires continuing education

OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional)

  • Offensive Security: Practical certification
  • Hands-on: 24-hour practical exam
  • Respected: Highly valued in industry

GPEN (GIAC Penetration Tester)

  • SANS: SANS certification
  • Technical: Focus on advanced techniques
  • Renewal: Requires CPE points

Best Practices

  • Written authorization: Always obtain permission
  • Defined scope: Limit testing scope
  • Confidentiality: Protect sensitive information
  • Responsibility: Assume responsibility for actions

Technical

  • Structured methodology: Follow defined processes
  • Complete documentation: Record entire process
  • Clear communication: Explain findings clearly
  • Follow-up: Verify remediation implementation

References