Donovan - Hacking: Learn the Basics of Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing

Computer hacking can occur in many ways. The intent may be malicious or benign. Benign hacking by workers in the security industry is called ethical hacking, which describes attacking a public or private network or system benevolently, to check on the security of the system or network for its owners. Ethical hackers may sometimes be referred to as white hat hackers. This distinguishes them from people who hack into systems with the intent of harm or exploitation. Those are black hat hackers.

One not-so-clear part of hacking is known as hacktivism. In these cases, a hacker will detect and report on security vulnerabilities, but may also exploit them for social activism. In cases like these, sometimes called gray hat hacking, the hacker may not be motivated by money, but rather the goal of calling attention to injustices or issues that the hacker feels merit social change. The victim may not be as receptive of the message.

True ethical hacking should be done with the consent of the organization being targeted, even though some black hat hackers may claim to be working as ethical hackers if they are caught.

Why do Companies Use Ethical Hackers?

Why would someone pay a hacker to attack their own website or application? The reason is to expose any vulnerability they may have. Anyone in law enforcement knows that in order to prevent criminal activity, its best to think like criminals do. Ethical hackers who test security systems use methods just like illegal hackers do, but instead of disrupting the company, they report any problems they find.

The Federal government utilizes many ethical hackers. Larger companies employ entire teams of white hat hackers as part of their plans for information security. If you are tech savvy, or a computer programmer, you can take classes that will help you learn ethical hacking, and you can even be certified in the skills.

Application testing utilizes ethical hackers who try to compromise an app and then report their findings. Various tests are performed, including information gathering attempts, all the way up to outright attacks that would damage a company or agency if they were done maliciously. Ethical hacks may include techniques like emailing company staff to see if they will reveal their passwords or other details of their accounts.

Ethical Hacking Tools

Ethical hackers use tools that expose vulnerabilities like software coding errors that are threatening to accounts, critical data and the functionality of the applications. Some of this hacking is done manually and some is done with automated tools, like dynamic and static analysis. These will find insufficient encryption or malicious code that could allow security breaches. Ethical hackers can spend time prioritizing problems and remediating them.

Companies find Ethical Hackers Valuable

Large companies have used ethical hackers for many years to test their internal and external security. They are especially valuable in checking new systems being launched. Beyond their testing, they can find overlooked vulnerabilities that could bring damage to the company.

Businesses hire white hat hackers, never black hat hackers. Black hat hackers attacking their systems may very well find vulnerabilities, but they will also take advantage of them.

Most companies find it quite safe to employ white hat hackers, whose skills are used to improve security. They will have the explicit permission of management, and they will test their systems just as if they were malicious hackers. They can perform vulnerability assessments, quantify risks and threats, and disclose their findings so that the problems can be repaired.

If you enter white hat hacking, you will use most of the same tools as malicious black hat hackers do. You will need to train in the area, and keep your knowledge and skills up to date, so that you know the latest exploit possibilities. You do not need to be certified after you train to do white hat hacking, but it will put company managers at ease when they hire you.