How to Become an Ethical Hacker: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Become a Ethical Hacker: A Step-by-Step Guide

If there’s a buzzword in the tech world, it is ethical hacking. There is a lot of rising interest in this field, specifically from the youth. Many are interested to know how to become an ethical hacker. In contrast, there is also a lot of apprehension about the practice. People often question its legality. Let’s understand the reason for these polarizing viewpoints behind ethical hacking. We will also explore how to become an ethical hacker

Meaning of Ethical Hacking

Ethical hacking is gaining unauthorized access to a system or a network as per prior authorized instructions. This is done to test out vulnerabilities and risks. It is used against potential cyber-attacks and malicious threats. Ethical hacking is also a part of software quality assurance. Further, check out Henry Harvin’s top-notch Ethical Hacking Course to learn how to become an ethical hacker.

History of Hacking

Further, let’s take a glance at the history of hacking. The Internet was not a concept back then. Surprisingly, hacking has positive roots. It was only a way to test and improve system vulnerabilities. But soon people began misusing this expertise.

Hacking dates back to breaching telephone connections to make long calls for free. This was done by ‘phreakers’.
However, as computers became popularised, cyber crimes increased.
With the introduction of the internet, hackers found new ways to carry out cyber crimes. This led to hacking being linked exclusively with a negative connotation.

To curb such activities, many laws and regulations were also passed. Ethical hacking was popularised when governments, companies, and individuals adopted hacking skills for legitimate purposes. In this case, hacking became associated with improving system and network strength. Let’s discuss a step-by-step guide to becoming an ethical hacker.

How to Become an Ethical Hacker?

When the question of becoming an ethical hacker arises, we look into a certified ethical hacker course. This article focuses on this exact question and provides a step-by-step guide for its answer.

1. Skills and Tools for Ethical Hacking

The first step is to understand the types and quality of skills you will require. When it comes to hacking, there are certain skills particular to this field:

A basic understanding of computer networking like DHCP, Supernetting, Subnetting, etc.
Additionally, programming skills in software languages like C, C++, JAVA, PYTHON, JAVASCRIPT, and HTML.
Database Management System skills for example SQL, MySQL, or Oracle create a strong DBMS.
Security concepts like encryption, authentication, authorization processes, and cryptography to protect data track.
Usage and functioning of secure operating systems like Linux.
Lastly, familiar with ethical hacking tools like Metasploit for penetration testing, Nmap for network scanning, and Wireshark.

2. Degrees and Certifications: How to Become an Ethical Hacker

Along with the skills mentioned above, you also need proper learning coverage in the following areas:

Ethical hacking concepts like Vulnerability Analysis, Malware Threats, etc.
Website Hacking & Security
SQL Injection and Penetration Testing.
Secure Coding Practices.

The common way is to get a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology or Computer Science. Following are some degrees and programs you can check out.

Diploma in ethical hacking and IT security
Ethical hacking diploma
Diploma in ethical hacking & cyber security
BTech cyber security
BSc networking
BTech CSE (cyber security and forensics)

There are also certified ethical hacker courses available, like:

Certified ethical hacker + CEH master.
Computer-Hacking Forensic Investigator certification.
Certified penetration-tester.

Henry Harvin Ethical Hacking Course

Henry Harvin provides an inclusive Ethical Hacker Certification Course. Following are some details for the course:

The duration of the Software testing course is about 40 hours.
You will get training from trainers with over 14 years of industry experience.
Live classes with interactive real-time discussions and trained instructors are also available. In addition, you will also find recorded sessions.
Instructors also provide projects related to ethical hacking to perfect your skills.
Moreover, internship support is provided for practical knowledge.
You also get guaranteed placement support after completing the course.
What’s more? A globally recognized certification in ethical hacking.
Further, Henry Harvin has affiliations with MSME, College De Paris, CompTIA, Nasscom, etc.
Finally, top companies will hire you with 80% salary hikes.

3. Ethical Hacker- Job Profiles and Payscale

After completing a program in ethical hacking, you can pursue the following career options depending on your qualifications. These are:

Ethical Hacker
Penetration Tester
Security Analyst
Cybersecurity Engineer
Information Security Manager

The average salary (pay scale) for a certified ethical hacker is around ₹ 6 lakhs in India.

4. Code of Ethics and Protocols for Ethical Hackers

Ethical hackers follow certain protocols and a strict code of ethics to ensure safety and smooth functioning. Ethical hackers learn the code of ethics with their certification. Some of the general practices among ethical hackers are:

Obtaining permission to hack systems from the client (company or individual).
Performing tests, hacks, and analysis and reporting all findings to the client.
Keeping information and data confidential, i.e. not disclosing, stealing, or selling sensitive data.
Working only to find vulnerabilities in the systems and networks and not exploiting them.

In fact, The International Council of E-Commerce Consultants (EC Council) is an organization that publishes its own formal written code of ethics.

Role of an Ethical Hacker

Ethical hacking is a valuable skill. The internet has become very common in our lives. As the internet space becomes increasingly crowded, it attracts a variety of new ideas, motives, and concepts. A white-hat hacker covers the following roles:

Cyber security is crucial to those who want their sensitive data protected. An ethical hacker works closely with cyber security professionals and software quality assurance analysts to ensure such safety.
Not only that, but stakeholders want to avoid unauthorized attacks, breaches, and threats. Most importantly, no one wants to fall victim to thefts and frauds. An ethical hacker protects from such vulnerabilities.
Besides, they perform a variety of tests to reveal potential risks. These tests improve the strength and quality of systems, networks, and software. (for instance, penetration tests, malware analysis, etc)
Undoubtedly, these white-hat hackers do not exploit, damage, or misuse the data they are assigned to hack.

Process of Ethical Hacking

Ethical hackers follow a general methodology when finding vulnerabilities in a system. For this, they use certain protocols, tests, and analyses. Taking a look at the process, it can be generalized like such:

1. Reconnaissance

This includes surveying a system or network to find vulnerabilities and areas that can be exploited in a process called footprinting. It is a preparatory stage to collect data from TCP and UDP services, the host of a network, and also specific IP addresses. As a result, they prepare to stage an attack.

2. Gaining Access (Penetration Test)

Further, the attacker makes unauthorized access to the target’s systems, applications, or networks. They may proceed to download malicious software and steal sensitive information.

3. Maintaining Access

After accessing the system, attackers maintain that access. In this stage, the hacker launches various attacks and exploits the system using tools like Trojan or a backdoor.

4. Risk Assessment and Management

Apart from launching attacks, ethical hackers also perform risk assessment and management. Not only do they identify vulnerabilities, but also malware and ransomware strains and it’s working. They also explore emerging threats and their impacts.

5. Concealing Tracks

Once the attack phase is over, hackers pay close attention to removing traces that can uncover their attack strategy. It includes editing, deleting, or corrupting logs or registry values.

6. Reporting

Once they complete all the tests and attacks, they document and report all details about vulnerabilities and risks to the information security team.

Types of Hackers

Surprisingly, the field of hacking is so diverse, that hackers are divided into various categories according to their roles, goals, and intentions. The major types of hackers are:

White-Hat Hackers

Also called an ethical hacker, they find potential risks, and report on these, while also providing mitigation measures.

Black-Hat Hackers

They are the ones who have given hacking an infamous negative connotation. They break into systems and networks with malicious intent and disrupt systems. Their purpose is to steal, destroy, or misuse data. They also use malware to breach systems.

Gray-Hat Hackers

They operate somewhere in between the former two types. They may enter systems without permission, however without any malicious intent. Some are known to report the vulnerabilities they find and work on resolving those. Yet, they rarely exploit such weak points in the systems.

Conclusion

The article explains the ever-growing importance of ethical hacking. Not only does it counter the malicious threats of black-hat hackers, but it also creates a methodological system to improve the quality, strength, and safety of any software. In conclusion, a certified ethical hacker course will provide you with many opportunities in terms of jobs. If you are already in the field of software development, it will expand your career options and job portfolio. Furthermore, it will result in salary hikes. Start your journey in ethical hacking with a course of your preference.

FAQs

1. How are Ethical Hackers Different from Malicious Hackers?

Ethical hackers work purely within a legal framework. They are hired by companies to recognize potential risks that could lead to cyber-attacks. While malicious hackers exploit these vulnerabilities to steal, misuse, or sell sensitive information.

2. Why is Ethical Hacking Popular?

Cyber attacks are on a constant rise. Companies wish to protect the sensitive data on their systems and networks. Here comes the role of an ethical hacker. The field is quite important and offers a variety of job roles and pay levels, thus making it so popular.

3. Are There any Disadvantages to Ethical Hacking?

While ethical hacking is a reliable form of improving system qualities, it has a few disadvantages. It adds increased costs to the process of software development. Moreover, it can be a lengthy process which makes it time-consuming.

4. How to Become an Ethical Hacker?

There are many different paths to becoming a certified ethical hacker. You can either choose a degree in the field of IT or Computer Science which includes ethical hacking. Additionally, you can opt for a diploma course in the field. Lastly, there are short-duration certification courses that can help you to boost your portfolio.

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