Despite its name, ethical hacking does not threaten computer security, but quite the opposite. The job of an ethical hacker is to simulate computer attacks that allow them to identify vulnerabilities that help companies improve their security . So, what are the functions of an ethical hacker and how to become one? That's precisely what we're going to tell you!
What is ethical hacking?
Ethical hacking is the practice of testing the security of a computer system or network, with the goal of discovering and correcting vulnerabilities before they are exploited by malicious cybercriminals .
That is to say, ethical hacking tests are not cyber attacks as such , but rather they have the express consent of the owner of the system to push the SSL certificate and other security elements of a website to the limit , since they are intended to strengthen security. This makes ethical hacking completely legal in Latin America and, in fact, increasingly essential in the tireless fight against cyber threats.
tools and techniques to protect
Difference between ethical hacking and malicious hacking
The main difference between this modality and malicious hacking is the objectives of ethical hacking .
So what is ethical hacking for? Basically, it's to protect systems, while malicious hackers seek to cause as much damage as possible, steal information, or both. And as we've already discussed, ethical hackers are given permission to perform their tests , which sets them apart both morally and legally.
Phases of ethical hacking
Ethical hacking follows a structured process that can be divided into five main phases.
Reconnaissance : The specialist gathers information about the system, such as networks, servers, and applications, with the goal of identifying potential weak points.
Scanning : Next, it performs detailed scans of your systems to find vulnerabilities, such as open ports or insecure configurations.
Gaining Access : Focusing on the discovered vulnerabilities, the ethical hacker attempts to gain access to the system to test its security.
Maintaining access : Once inside, the hacker analyzes whether he can remain in the system undetected to study the impact of prolonged access.
Covering tracks : Finally, the ethical hacker erases any trace of his activity to demonstrate how a malicious attacker might try to hide his movements within the system.
Yes, it's a bit scary to read this, but it's much more advisable to carry out this type of 'intrusion' in a controlled manner than to be a victim of it. That's why it's important to be familiar with ethical hacking techniques and to be clear about how reliable a firewall is .
Common tools for ethical hacking
Using ethical hacking tools allows you to identify and correct vulnerabilities in the systems you access, and the ones we mention below are some of the most used in Latin America.
Nmap : Network scanning tool used to discover hosts and services on net uk business email list works. Nmap helps map network topology and detect potential vulnerabilities by scanning open ports.
Metasploit : One of the best-known platforms for penetration testing, as it allows ethical hackers to run exploits to analyze the security of systems and applications, imitating the attacks that a hacker with malicious intentions could perform.
Wireshark : Ethical hacking software that allows you to capture and analyze network traffic in real time, proving very useful when identifying vulnerabilities in protocols and networks by observing how data circulates.
Techniques used in ethical hacking
When developing this type of cybersecurity task, there are different techniques that can be carried out to obtain the best possible results and thus guarantee the protection of a system against possible computer attacks.
Penetration Testing Techniques
Penetration testing simulates real-life attacks against a system in order to identify its weaknesses . This technique allows ethical hackers to assess how an attacker might exploit vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or critical resources.
The results of this type of testing include a detailed report on the errors found, as well as recommendations for mitigating them.
Techniques for security auditing
A security audit is a comprehensive analysis that seeks to analyze the security policies, configurations and controls implemented in a company .
Unlike penetration testing, the aim of this test is not to exploit vulnerabilities, but rather to verify that security mechanisms are effective and in line with best practices.
Advantages and disadvantages of ethical hacking
Ethical hacking is essential to ensure the security of systems and prevent cyberattacks, but it also presents some challenges that you should be aware of before starting such tests.
Among the main advantages of ethical hacking are the fact that it improves a company's security against cyberattacks , helps prevent possible financial losses and damage to reputation , and facilitates compliance with cybersecurity regulations . In addition, it allows companies to take preventive measures against possible attacks , which is always more advisable and economical than having to repair the damage.
As for the potential drawbacks of ethical hacker activity, there is the fact that hiring this type of service can be expensive for some companies, that there can be legal repercussions for not complying with all regulations , and that sometimes companies can get a false sense of security . But remember, you should never be complacent about cyber threats!
Ethical hacking cases and examples
Ethical hacking has proven to be essential in countless real-life cases both in Latin America and in other regions of the world.
For example, Glenn Mangham , a British hacker, discovered vulnerabilities in Yahoo! and helped improve its security, even receiving a reward for doing so. However, when he tried the same thing with Facebook, he was arrested for unauthorized hacking. This case makes clear how even good intentions can have legal consequences if you don't have the right permissions.
Another example is the work of Charlie Miller , who discovered flaws in devices like iPhones.
