The term hacking has been extensively used with a negative connotation. However, as against the general perception of the concept, hacking can be used for ethical purposes such as identifying and eliminating security threats to your organization's systems. Such hacking is conducted systematically through different ethical hacking phases. In the 1960s, the word hacker was used to describe the experts who used their skills to re-develop mainframe systems- by which they could increase their work efficiency and perform multitasking. However, nowadays, this word is used for those who use their skills to exploit the computer system weaknesses to gain unauthorized access. There are two types of hackers-
Black Hat Hackers- Those who breach the security of the networks of another organization and conduct hacking for illegal and malicious reasons.
White Hat Hackers- The ethical hackers who conduct hacking to help the organizations identify the loopholes in their security and rectify them.
In this article, we will read about ethical hacking and its phases.
What Is Ethical Hacking?
Ethical hacking is when an expert uses the same skill set and technique to strengthen a business's security. It is an authorized process of avoiding the failure of system firewalls and security. It checks the system's vulnerabilities, which can be exploited to endanger a network.
In this sense, where the black hat hackers try to loosen the security and enter into the data premises in an unauthorized manner, the white hat hackers focus more on improving the network security and protecting the data in an authorized way. CEH v12 Certification is one of the most popular ways to learn ethical hacking today.
Penetration testing and Ethical hacking do similar work for an organization by testing and providing solutions to the organization by taking similar actions to recognize and document the vulnerabilities using the six phases of ethical hacking before they get into the hands of any black hat hacker. Seems interesting? Get to know more about ethical hacking degree.
Types Of Ethical Hacking
Following are the five main types of Ethical Hacking.
The external method includes the website, web applications, e-mails, and domain name servers. These are the things that are the external source of an organization, and the hackers try to get the entrance from them to extract sensitive data. These are easy to target as they can be seen and found online quickly.
In this type of hacking, a hacker gets access to the credentials of an organization or its data system. A hacker does internal hacking with credentials that permit entry and access behind the company firewall.
In this scenario, the hackers try to get into the company's privacy with the name of the targeted company. This is the most common and usual way the hackers try to get into an organization's firewalls.
In this type, the personnel are not subject to any intimidation when the hackers try to gain access to the network they want to hack. This method is mostly used to test the network defenses and security protocols of a system, and the personnel taking the time to stop the breach attempt by the hackers is measured.
In this type, the security personnel and the authorized white hat hackers operate the system together. Through this action, they inform each other about the actions in real-time. It is the best way to keep the activity of the attacker and know things from his perspective.
What are The Different Phases in Ethical Hacking?
Ethical Hacking has numerous applications. The way professionals utilize these 6 phases of Ethical Hacking are discussed below-
2. The Reconnaissance Phase
Reconnaissance is the preliminary stage of ethical hacking in which the hacker becomes aware and gathers all the information beforehand regarding his target and gets to know about the system's vulnerabilities so that he can exploit the system in the later phases of hacking. Dumpster diving is one of the phases of Reconnaissance.
Enumeration is also a part of this phase of ethical hacking. It is the first stage, so the hacker initially finds all the valuable information about its target. In the next step, the hacker finds out the target system's IP address and other vulnerabilities and starts connecting the networks to break into the system.
3. The Scanning Phase In Ethical Hacking
There are several methods with which the hacker can conduct the scanning phase in ethical hacking-
At this stage, the hacker can scan the network with particular information from the comprehensive information gathered during reconnaissance.
- Port scanning or Sniffing
In this, the hackers gather the data using dialers, vulnerability scanners, specific information, and other data-gathering equipment.
Here the hackers gather the information about the live machines, ports, and OS details for the attack launch. In it, the hacker tries to find a quick way of gaining access to the network and gets the information out of it. The hacker can utilize all these three methods to exploit the system.
4. The Gaining Access Phase
By performing the above two ethical hacking phases, the hacker gathers all the required information and has access to all the applications and networks, increasing the user benefits of controlling the systems connected to it. This phase has a more technical approach as the data gained from port and scanner tools is used to get into the system and get access to the real data.
5. The Maintaining Access Phase
This is the fourth of the ethical hacking phases. In this, the hacker tries to continue the access by maintaining the presence within the targeted network and keeps on acquiring the data. This is known as the key phase for ethical hacking as it shows how the security personnel responds if a system has started showing signs of damage.
6. Covering Of Tracks Phase
In this stage of ethical hacking, the hackers are required to cover up their tracks. It aims to erase all the digital signs left by the hackers during the previous stages. If not removed, these traces might prove the presence of the ethical hacker in the targeted computer system. This is done by them by clearing or manipulating the logs and disabling auditing.
7. The Analysis And WAF Configuration Phase
This phase is the final part of the 6 phases of ethical hacking. In this phase, the hackers try to vanish any proof of the data breach or any internal actions made by them within the network. The purpose of using this phase by the authorized testers is to document the results, Remediation actions, and the identified vulnerabilities. All the information gathered by the authorized person is very important while developing the application patches and configuring the Web Application Firewall.
What Is the Future of Ethical Hacking?
An ethical hacker completes the task of finding a vulnerability, informing the issues of a responsible party, and advising how to fix the problem. The company employs an Ethical hacker to ensure that the system of protection of data and security is robust, which he does in 6 phases of ethical hacking.
Cyberattacks and hacking cases are increasing daily because of the huge usage of online services and online transactions, as seen in the last decade. Black hat hackers conduct hackings that include-
- Piracy
- Vandalism
- Credit card theft
- Theft of service
- Identity theft
- Manipulation of data
- Denial-of-service Attacks
Therefore, the importance of an ethical hacker's role will also significantly rise in the coming times. Large businesses and setups will require a robust system that is impossible to penetrate, and ethical hackers will help them do that. Organizations employ an Ethical hacker as they find it the only and the best option to keep the black hat hackers away. Often, ethical hackers prepare and build the system so that no vulnerabilities are left. Thus, their role is quite significant.
How Can You Become a Certified Hacker?
Here at Knowledgehut, you will learn the best about Ethical Hacking that will help you transform your tech career with a CEH v12 certification. You will be understanding and learning about the ethical hacking phases and the latest commercial-grade hacking methodologies and techniques with the help of specialized tools used for hacking purposes. The Cyber Security course training has focused on the latest security threats and advanced attack vectors with a practical real-time demonstration of the new hacking techniques.
We provide you with-
- The specialized tools, more than a thousand hacking tricks and techniques, and ethical hacking phases.
- The best trainers by EC Council are there to guide you at every step throughout your course.
- Deep intense training with 18 attack vectors, including the OWASP Top 10 and IoT hacking.
What Will You Learn in an Ethical Hacking Course?
In this Ethical Hacking classes for cyber security and Certification, you will be gaining knowledge on the 6 phases of ethical hacking which includes
- The Reconnaissance Phase
- The Scanning Phase In Ethical Hacking
- The Gaining Access Phase
- The Maintaining Access Phase
- Covering Of Tracks Phase
- The Analysis And Waf Configuration Phase
Knowledgehut also ensures the full preparation for you to pass the exam and gain the certificate.
Key Highlights of the KnowledgeHut CEH Training
- You will be having a 5 Days Live Instructor-Led Session.
- You will get Free E-Courseware and EC-Council's Learning Kit.
- You will attain iLabs Membership for 6 Months.
- You will be getting a Free Exam Voucher (That will be valid for one year).
- Apart from learning, you will be able to conduct 50% of the course practically.
- If you do not feel it is valuable, you can withdraw your money back.
You should attend this Ethical Hacking Training if you are-
- IS/ IT Specialist/ Analyst/ Manager
- IS/ IT Auditor/ Consultant
- IT Operations Manager
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Bottom Line
Enroll yourself in the ethical hacking course by Knowledge hut today to learn the ethical hacking phases. You will get to learn important things about the protection of your business and its data. The KnowledgeHut CEH v12 Certification training has focused on the latest security threats and advanced attack vectors with a practical real-time demonstration of the new hacking techniques. This will boost your career and help you change the meaning of hacking for the world!
