Explore 5 Different Phases of Ethical Hacking

The term “hacking” has a negative connotation. Contrary to popular belief, hacking can be used for ethical purposes such as identifying and removing security threats to your organization’s systems. This type of hacking is carried out methodically through various ethical hacking phases. The term “hacker” was coined in the 1960s to describe experts who used their skills to re-develop mainframe systems, allowing them to increase their work efficiency and multitask. Today, however, this term refers to those who use their skills to exploit computer system flaws to gain unauthorized access. Hackers fall into two categories:

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Black Hat Hacker– The ethical hackers who conduct hacking to help organizations identify the loopholes in their security and rectify them.

White Hat Hacker– Ethical hackers conduct hacking to assist organizations in identifying and correcting security flaws.

What is Ethical Hacking

An ethical hacker is a skilled professional who uses hacking techniques to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in computer systems, networks, and applications, to improve their security. Ethical hackers are also known as “white hat” hackers, and they work with the permission and knowledge of the system owners to identify and fix security issues, rather than using their skills for malicious purposes.

Ethical hackers use the same techniques and tools as malicious hackers but they do so legally and ethically, following strict guidelines and codes of conduct. They typically perform penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, and other security assessments to identify and report vulnerabilities to the system owners. They also recommend solutions to fix the identified issues and ensure that the systems are secure from potential attacks.

In ethical hacking, a professional applies the same knowledge and methodology to bolster a company’s security. It is a legitimate procedure to prevent system firewalls and security failures. It examines any holes in the system that could allow a network to be put in danger.

Types Of Ethical Hacking

Following are the five main types of Ethical Hacking.

External –The website, web applications, emails, and domain name servers are examples of external methods. These are the things that make up an organization’s external source, and hackers attempt to gain access from them to steal sensitive data. These are simple targets because they are easily visible and discoverable online.
Internal- In this type of hacking, a hacker gets access to the credentials of an organization or its data system. Using credentials that allow entry and access behind the corporate firewall, a hacker engages in internal hacking.
Blind- In this case, the hackers use the name of the targeted company to attempt to access the company’s privacy. The majority of the time, this is how hackers attempt to breach a company’s firewalls.
Double-Blind- When hackers attempt to obtain access to the network they wish to infiltrate, the workers are not intimidated. This method is usually used to evaluate a system’s network defenses and security protocols, and the time it takes to stop a hacker’s penetration attempt is measured.
Targeted-The system is operated collaboratively by security personnel and authorized white hat hackers in this case. They communicate real-time information to one another through this action. It is the finest technique to keep the activity of the adversary and know things from his perspective.

What are The Different Phases of Ethical Hacking?

Ethical hacking typically involves several phases or stages that must be followed to ensure a comprehensive and effective security assessment. The different phases of ethical hacking include:

1. Reconnaissance:

Reconnaissance, also known as “recon,” is the first phase of ethical hacking, and it involves gathering information about the target system or network. This information is used to plan and execute subsequent phases of the ethical hacking process. Explore 5 Different Phases of Ethical Hacking

Reconnaissance can be either passive or active. Passive reconnaissance involves collecting information about the target system or network without directly interacting with it, such as through open-source intelligence (OSINT) gathering or social engineering tactics. Active reconnaissance, on the other hand, involves probing the target system or network directly, such as by using scanning tools to identify open ports and other vulnerabilities.

The information gathered during reconnaissance may include details about the network topology, system architecture, hardware and software configurations, and user accounts and privileges. This information is used to identify potential vulnerabilities and weaknesses that can be exploited during subsequent phases of the ethical hacking process, such as gaining unauthorized access to the target system or network.

2. Scanning:

Scanning is the second phase of ethical hacking and follows reconnaissance. During this phase, the ethical hacker uses various scanning tools and techniques to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the target system or network. Explore 5 Different Phases of Ethical Hacking

Scanning involves actively probing the target system or network to discover open ports, running services, and other system information. These scans can be conducted both internally (within the target network) and externally (from outside the network) and can be either automated or manual.

Scanning tools can range from basic network scanners that identify open ports and running services to more advanced vulnerability scanners that actively seek out known security vulnerabilities in specific software or systems. Some of the most common scanning tools used in ethical hacking include Nmap, Nessus, and OpenVAS.

3. Gain Access:

Gaining access is the third phase of ethical hacking and involves attempting to gain unauthorized access to the target system or network. This phase is also known as “hacking” or “exploitation.” Explore 5 Different Phases of Ethical Hacking

The goal of gaining access is to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in the target system or network to gain control or access to sensitive data or resources. This can be accomplished through various methods, such as password cracking, exploiting software vulnerabilities, or using social engineering tactics to trick users into revealing sensitive information.

A once ethical hacker gains access, they will typically attempt to escalate their privileges to gain further access to sensitive data or resources. This may involve exploiting additional vulnerabilities or weaknesses in the system, such as misconfigured access controls or weak authentication mechanisms.

4. Maintaining access:

Maintaining access is the fourth phase of ethical hacking and involves maintaining unauthorized access to the target system or network. Once an ethical hacker has gained access to a system, it is important to maintain that access for as long as possible to continue gathering information and identifying additional vulnerabilities.

Maintaining access can involve several techniques, such as installing backdoors or rootkits, creating new user accounts with elevated privileges, or modifying existing system settings to allow for persistent access. The ethical hacker must be careful to ensure that any modifications or changes made to the system do not alert the system’s administrators or other security personnel.

5. Cover Tracks:

ensure that the system’s administrators and security personnel are not able to detect the presence of the ethical hacker or identify any unauthorized access that may have occurred. Explore 5 Different Phases of Ethical Hacking

Covering tracks involves several techniques, such as deleting log files and other records of the ethical hacker’s activities, modifying system settings to remove any evidence of unauthorized access, and restoring any changes made to the system to its original state.

The ethical hacker must be careful to ensure that all traces of their activities are removed, as even small pieces of information can potentially be used to identify them or their organization. It is also important to note that some changes made to the system during the ethical hacking process may be irreversible, so it is important to have a clear plan in place for restoring the system to its original state.

What is The Future of Ethical Hacking?

As technology develops and the demand for effective cybersecurity measures rises, ethical hacking has a bright future. The practice of finding and fixing security flaws in computer systems and networks, also known as ethical hacking, is becoming more and more significant in the digital age.

The growing application of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies is one trend that is likely to influence the future of ethical hacking. With these technologies, vulnerabilities in computer systems can be found and fixed more quickly and efficiently than with conventional techniques.

The development of the Internet of Things is another development that will impact ethical hacking in the future (IoT). The requirement for cybersecurity measures grows in significance as the number of IoT devices rises.

How Can You Become a Certified Hacker?

With a CEH v12 certification, you can transform your tech career by learning everything there is to know about ethical hacking right here at Hackingwala. With the aid of specialised tools used for hacking, you will be understanding and learning about the ethical hacking phases and the most recent commercial-grade hacking methodologies and techniques.

to become a certified ethical hacker, you can follow these general steps:

Gain knowledge and skills: To become a certified ethical hacker, you need to have a strong foundation in computer science, programming, and networking. You can learn these skills through formal education, online courses, or self-study.
Gain practical experience: Practical experience is critical in the field of ethical hacking. You can gain this experience through internships, entry-level jobs, or personal projects.
Choose a certification: There are several certifications available for ethical hackers, such as Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP). Research and choose a certification that aligns with your interests and career goals.
Prepare for the certification exam: Most certifications require passing a comprehensive exam. You can prepare for the exam through study guides, practice tests, and training courses.
Pass the certification exam: Once you have prepared for the exam, take the test and pass it to become a certified ethical hacker.
Maintain the certification: To maintain your certification, you need to keep up-to-date with the latest technologies and practices in the field of ethical hacking. This can be done through continuing education, attending conferences, and participating in professional development opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are different phases stages of attack?

The first phase is determining the attack’s goal. The second phase, reconnaissance, is both a form of attack and a phase of the attack. The third and final phase is the actual intrusion or attack on network resources. The sort of attack might change as an attack progresses through its phases.

What is the first phases of hacking?

This is the first step of Hacking. It is also called as Footprinting and information gathering Phase.

What are all the different types of ethical hacking?

Web Application hacking.
System Hacking.
Web Server Hacking.
Hacking Wireless networks.
Social Engineering.
White Hat Hackers.
Black Hat Hackers.
Grey Hat Hackers.

What is the most important phase of ethical hacking?

Phase 1: Reconnaissance