Ethical hacking, also known as penetration testing or white hat hacking, refers to the practice of legally and ethically assessing the security of computer systems, networks, and applications. It involves identifying vulnerabilities and weaknesses in order to enhance the overall security posture. There are several types of ethical hacking, each with its own specific focus and objectives. Here are five commonly recognized types of ethical hacking:
Network Hacking: Network hacking involves evaluating the security of computer networks, including wired and wireless infrastructures. Ethical hackers perform various tests and techniques to identify vulnerabilities such as misconfigurations, weak passwords, outdated software, or unpatched systems. They may also attempt to exploit these vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to the network, which helps organizations understand the potential risks and take appropriate measures to strengthen their defenses.
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Web Application Hacking: Web application hacking focuses on assessing the security of web-based applications such as websites, web services, and web portals. Ethical hackers examine the underlying code, server configurations, and user inputs to uncover vulnerabilities like SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), cross-site request forgery (CSRF), or insecure direct object references (IDOR). By identifying these flaws, organizations can patch or mitigate vulnerabilities and protect sensitive data and user privacy.
Wireless Hacking: Wireless hacking involves evaluating the security of wireless networks, including Wi-Fi networks. Ethical hackers aim to uncover weaknesses that could potentially be exploited by unauthorized individuals to gain unauthorized access. They examine encryption protocols, Wi-Fi configurations, and access controls to identify vulnerabilities like weak passwords, insecure encryption methods, or rogue access points. By conducting wireless hacking assessments, organizations can secure their wireless networks and protect against unauthorized access and data interception.
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Social Engineering: Social engineering is a technique that relies on manipulating human psychology to gain unauthorized access to systems or sensitive information. Ethical hackers employ various psychological and social manipulation tactics, such as impersonation, pretexting, or phishing, to exploit human vulnerabilities. They may send deceptive emails, make phone calls pretending to be someone else or attempt to extract sensitive information through other means. By conducting social engineering assessments, organizations can educate their employees about potential risks and develop countermeasures to mitigate the impact of such attacks.
Physical Hacking: Physical hacking involves attempting to gain unauthorized access to computer systems, networks, or facilities by exploiting physical security weaknesses. Ethical hackers may perform activities such as attempting to bypass physical access controls, picking locks, tampering with security cameras, or gaining physical access to systems or devices. By identifying physical vulnerabilities, organizations can enhance their physical security measures, such as access control systems, surveillance systems, or security personnel protocols.
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It is important to note that these types of ethical hacking are not mutually exclusive, and often overlap during a comprehensive security assessment. Ethical hackers employ a combination of techniques and methodologies to thoroughly evaluate the security of an organization's infrastructure, systems, and applications.
Overall, ethical hacking plays a crucial role in helping organizations proactively identify and address security vulnerabilities, thereby fortifying their defenses and protecting against potential malicious attacks.
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