How to Become an Ethical Hacker in 2024?

What is Ethical Hacking?

While the term 'hacking' has very negative connotations, but this is only until the role of an ethical hacker is completely understood. Ethical hackers, sometimes known as "white hats" in the hacking world, use advanced computer skills to identify vulnerabilities in data security for global businesses. The goal of an ethical hacker is to identify vulnerabilities that malicious hackers could exploit, allowing organizations to fortify their defences and protect themselves from possible cyber threats. Ethical hackers play a critical role in maintaining the integrity and security of digital systems.

Role of Ethical Hacker

Ethical hacking is a subcategory of cybersecurity that involves legally breaching a system's security mechanisms to find potential vulnerabilities and data breaches on the network. Ethical hackers can work independently, serve as in-house security experts for a company's digital assets, or act as simulated offensive cybersecurity specialists. Regardless of their specific role, ethical hackers require an in-depth understanding of current attack techniques and tools to effectively improve security measures and protect against cyber threats. In-house teams have an advantage since they have insider information, but they might be shortsighted. External or independent hackers bring a different perspective, but they must have formal authority to conduct simulated attacks.

10 Steps to Become an Ethical Hacker

To become a good ethical hacker, follow the steps described below.

Step 1: Gain Practical Experience with LINUX/UNIX

Learn about LINUX/UNIX, an open-source operating system known for enhancing computer security. As an ethical hacker, knowledge of LINUX is essential because it is one of the most commonly utilized operating systems for hacking. It gives an enormous number of tools for hackers. Popular Linux distributions include Red Hat Linux, Ubuntu, Kali Linux, BackTrack, and others. Among these, Kali Linux is the most popular Linux system designed specifically for hacking.

Step 2: Learn the Mother of all Programming Languages

C, known as the "mother of all programming languages," serves as the foundational language for UNIX/LINUX. Mastery of C is essential for ethical hackers, providing the capability to leverage Linux effectively.

To gain an advantage, learn more than one programming language. An ethical hacker with a solid understanding of two to three programming languages can dissect and analyze a piece of code. Some of the best programming languages for ethical hacking include Python for exploit writing, JavaScript for web applications, PHP for defence against attackers, and SQL for database hacking.

Step 3: Learn the Skill of Being Anonymous

A critical part of ethical hacking is learning the art of staying anonymous and efficiently hiding your online identity, leaving no trace for potential backtracking. Sometimes in shared networks, an ethical hacker may be unaware of the presence of others, and if a black hat hacker discovers that someone else is on the network, they may attempt to hack their system. As a result, keeping anonymity is critical for ethical hackers. Ethical hackers can safeguard their identities by using software such as Anonsurf, Proxychains, and MacChanger.

An example where being anonymous is crucial in ethical hacking is when participating in bug bounty programs. Ethical hackers often engage anonymously to discover and report security vulnerabilities in software or websites without disclosing their personal information upfront.

Step 4: Improve Your Knowledge of Networking Principles

Understanding networking ideas and how they are built is critical for ethical hackers. A thorough understanding of various networks and protocols is helpful in finding vulnerabilities. Ethical hackers who have extensive expertise in networking tools like Nmap, Wireshark, and others are well-prepared for field challenges. TCP/IP networks, subnetting, network masks, CIDR, Simple Network Management Protocol, Server Message Block, Domain Name Service (DNS), Address Resolution Protocol, wireless networks, Bluetooth networks, SCADA networks (Modbus), and automobile networks (CAN) are examples of key networking concepts.

One example of using networking principles in ethical hacking is the use of packet sniffing and protocol analysis to identify vulnerabilities in network traffic. This expertise allows ethical hackers to assess security, detect weaknesses, and recommend enhancements for risk mitigation.

Step 5: Explore the Dark (Hidden) Web

The dark (hidden) web refers to the part of the internet that is not accessible or visible to search engines. Accessing it requires specific authorization or software. Tor, an anonymizing browser, facilitates access to the black web. While the dark web is frequently associated with illegal activities, it also contains valuable information. Ethical hackers should familiarize themselves with the dark web and its operations since it provides insights into emerging threats, vulnerabilities, and leaked credentials, allowing for proactive security measures and enhancing organizational defences against cyber threats.

Step 6: Add Cryptography to Your Skill Set

For an ethical hacker, mastering cryptography or the practice of secret writing is essential. In hacking, proficiency in encryption and decryption techniques is crucial. Encryption is essential in many aspects of information security, such as authentication, data integrity, confidentiality, and others. In network environments, sensitive information like passwords is commonly encrypted, and a hacker must learn how to identify and decrypt such encryption.

Step 7: Explore Advanced Hacking Techniques

Once you've laid a solid foundation, it's time to delve deeper into the world of ethical hacking. Explore advanced techniques and methodologies to further improve your skills. This phase involves mastering sophisticated tools, understanding intricate attack vectors, and staying abreast of evolving cybersecurity trends. Continuous learning and experimentation in this domain will provide you with the knowledge required to navigate complicated security landscapes and effectively counter new cyber-attacks.

Step 8: Explore Vulnerabilities

Vulnerabilities are system weaknesses. Learn to scan for these gaps that might lead to security breaches in systems and networks. Ethical hackers can also create and exploit vulnerabilities for testing purposes. Some tools in Kali Linux for identifying vulnerabilities include:

1. Nessus Vulnerability Scanner: Nessus is an all-in-one scanner that helps us find vulnerabilities in web applications and various systems.
2. Nikto Vulnerability Scanner: Nikto is a free software command-line vulnerability scanner that recognizes vulnerabilities in web servers.
3. OpenVAS Vulnerability Scanner: The OpenVAS Vulnerability Scanner is a tool designed to identify vulnerabilities in devices within a network.
4. Wapiti Vulnerability Scanner: Wapiti Vulnerability Scanner is a tool utilized for identifying and assessing vulnerabilities in web applications like XSS and SQLi.
5. Nmap Vulnerability Scanner: Nmap is a well-known scanning and enumeration tool. Nmap helps us locate the open ports, services, and vulnerabilities in a system.

Step 9: Experiment and practice to improve your hacking skills.

To be successful at hacking, you must constantly practice and try new things. Apply what you've learned in different situations, testing various methods, tools, and techniques. Hands-on experience not only reinforces what you already know but helps you to adapt and innovate in the face of new cybersecurity challenges. Consistent and diverse practice is key to staying sharp and mastering ethical hacking in the ever-changing landscape.

Step 10: Join Online Communities and Learn from Experts

Create or join global hacker communities on platforms such as Discord, Facebook, Telegram, and more. Participate in discussions, share your knowledge, and collaborate with other enthusiasts. Connecting with experienced hackers provides important perspectives and various viewpoints, enabling continuous learning and progress in the ethical hacking community.

Essential Skills to Learn for an Ethical Hacker

An ethical hacker must be proficient in a variety of network and system testing tools. When an ethical hacker searches for system vulnerabilities, tools like OpenVAS, Netsparker, and Metasploit can save time. The following are some essential skills for an ethical hacker:

Computer Skills: Basic computer skills include essential tasks such as making presentations and analyzing data. For ethical hackers, proficiency in these basics is essential. Additionally, advanced computer skills, including running complex calculations and managing databases, are crucial. A thorough understanding of computer architectures and systems is also crucial for ethical hackers.

Programming skills

Ethical hackers develop security programs and assess existing ones for potential security risks. To accomplish this proficiently, they apply their advanced coding expertise, writing code that computing devices can interpret with precision. An ethical hacker can benefit from learning more than one programming language because they serve different objectives and have different strengths. Some of the most common programming languages are Python for exploit writing, JavaScript for web applications, PHP for defence against attackers, and SQL for database hacking.

Fundamental hardware knowledge

Fundamental hardware knowledge is essential for ethical hackers since physical data centres or server rooms pose a possible threat to organizations. As a result, ethical hackers must be knowledgeable in hardware, particularly its vulnerabilities. Criminal hackers frequently change their strategies, which demands ethical hackers to use their various skills and knowledge of both software and hardware to anticipate and prevent potential breaches.

Cryptography skills

Mastering cryptography or encrypted writing is vital for an ethical hacker. The ability to use encryption and decryption techniques is critical in hacking. Encryption is essential in many aspects of information security, such as authentication, data integrity, confidentiality, and others. Sensitive information, such as passwords, is commonly encrypted in network contexts, and a hacker must understand how to identify and decrypt such encryption.

Problem-Solving skills Problem-solving skills are crucial for ethical hackers as cybercriminals discover new methods to bypass security measures. They evolve by incorporating innovative approaches, like using drones to identify vulnerabilities, in intelligence gathering and threat mitigation. Ethical hackers use various tactics to conduct a thorough threat analysis, utilizing their skills to find solutions for identified risks and system weaknesses.

Stages of a Career in Ethical Hacking

When pursuing a profession in ethical hacking, patience is essential. Obtaining a high-ranking post and a big pay right away is unrealistic. However, there is a strong possibility of achieving both objectives in a relatively short period of time. Individuals' stages of an ethical hacking career may differ, however below is a more complete breakdown:

1. Getting Started

Many people start their careers in ethical hacking by getting a computer science degree. Another alternative is to get an A+ certification (CompTIA), which requires passing two examinations. These exams evaluate your understanding of personal computer components and your skill in disassembling and rebuilding a PC. Eligibility for the certification exam requires a minimum of 500 hours of hands-on computing experience. At this career stage, the average yearly salary is around $44,000.

2. Network Support:

After obtaining the necessary qualifications, you can move on to the next phase of your career in network support. In this role, you'll be involved in tasks such as monitoring and updating, installing security programs, and assessing vulnerabilities. This experience will assist you in developing network security knowledge, with the ultimate goal of acquiring a position as a network engineer.

3. Network Engineer:

You can expect to earn between $60,000 and $65,000 based on your experience in network support. At this stage, your role switches from giving support to developing and planning networks. As you progress towards becoming an ethical hacker, your focus will shift to security. It is critical to work to obtain a security certification such as Security+, CISSP, or TICSA. The US Department of Defence recognizes Security+, which covers critical issues such as access control, identity management, and cryptography. The CISSP certification is a worldwide recognized certification that assesses knowledge in risk management, cloud computing, and application development. TICSA, which has similar coverage, also targets the same degree of security knowledge. This expertise and certification should be sufficient for getting a job in information security.

4. Working in Information Security:

This is a huge step forward on your path to becoming an ethical hacker because you will be working directly with information security. Individuals in this job earn an average pay of $69,000. Your tasks as an information security analyst include scrutinizing system and network security, addressing security breaches, and implementing security measures.

At this career stage, you should aim for the EC Council's Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification. This comprehensive training equips you with the skills needed to become an effective and ethical hacker. With this certification, you can market yourself as a professional ethical hacker.

Most Popular Tools for Ethical Hacking

The following are some of the most popular tools for ethical hacking:

Nmap (Network Mapper): Nmap is a multi-purpose network scanning tool which helps in the identification of hosts and services on a network. It contains data about open ports, operating systems, and service versions.

Metasploit: Metasploit is a penetration testing framework that helps in the development, testing, and execution of attack code against a remote target. It assists security professionals in identifying and repairing vulnerabilities.

Wireshark: Wireshark is a network protocol analyzer that captures and inspects network data in real time. It enables users to analyze and understand the traffic that flows via a network.

Burp Suite: Burp Suite is a web application security testing tool. It assists in finding security vulnerabilities in web applications by intercepting and modifying HTTP requests.

Aircrack-ng: Aircrack-ng is a set of tools for auditing wireless networks. It includes packet capture and password cracking tools, making it useful for assessing Wi-Fi security.

John the Ripper: John the Ripper is a password-cracking tool that supports various password hash algorithms. It is commonly used for password audits and recovery.

Nikto: Nikto is a web server scanner that identifies potential vulnerabilities and misconfigurations in web servers. It's designed to help secure web applications.

SQLMap: SQLMap is a penetration testing tool that automates the detection and exploitation of SQL injection vulnerabilities in web applications.

Difference between an Ethical Hacker and a Penetration Tester

While the terms "ethical hacker" and "penetration tester" are often used interchangeably, they differ in scope, skill set, and approach. Ethical hackers have a broader role, engaging in various cybersecurity tasks beyond penetration testing, such as vulnerability assessments and system security. They possess a diverse skill set and work towards understanding and enhancing the overall security posture of an organization. On the other hand, penetration testers specialize in simulated cyber-attacks, focusing on identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities within a specific timeframe. Their goal is to assess the effectiveness of security measures through targeted testing methodologies, making their approach more specific and time-limited compared to the broader activities of ethical hackers.