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CEH-v13 Module01Section02 - Hacking Concepts (Introduction to Ethical Hacking)
CEH-v13 module01Section02 - Hacking Concepts
Hacking Concepts
▪ What is
Hacking?
▪ Who is
a Hacker?
▪ Hacker
and their Motivations
Module
01 - Section 02:
2. What is Hacking?
Hacking refers to
the act of exploiting weaknesses or vulnerabilities in a computer system,
network, or software to gain unauthorized access or control over its
functionalities. It can be used for both malicious and non-malicious purposes,
depending on the intent of the hacker.
Types
of Hackers:
1.
White Hat Hackers (Ethical Hackers)
These are security
professionals who use their hacking skills for legal purposes, helping
organizations find and fix security vulnerabilities. They are often hired to
perform penetration testing to improve system security.
Example: A white
hat hacker might test a company's security defenses to ensure sensitive data is
protected.
2.
Black Hat Hackers (Malicious Hackers)
These hackers use
their skills for illegal activities, such as stealing data, spreading malware,
or taking control of systems for personal gain. They exploit vulnerabilities
without permission, often causing damage or harm.
Example: A black
hat hacker might steal personal information or credit card details from a
website.
3. Gray
Hat Hackers
Gray hat hackers
operate in a morally ambiguous area. They may break into systems without
permission but do not have malicious intent. Often, they reveal security flaws
without causing harm but might demand payment to fix the vulnerability
Example: A gray hat
hacker might hack into a system, inform the owner of the vulnerability, and ask
for compensation to help fix it.
Common
Hacking Techniques:
1.
Phishing
Trick users into
giving away sensitive information by pretending to be a legitimate entity,
usually through fake emails or websites.
Example: Sending an
email that looks like it comes from a bank, asking users to enter their login
details.
2.
Malware
Deploying malicious
software like viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, or spyware to infiltrate
systems and steal or damage data.
Example: Ransomware
encrypts files on a victim's computer and demands payment to restore access.
3. SQL
Injection
Exploiting
vulnerabilities in a website's database by injecting malicious SQL code to
retrieve, alter, or delete data.
Example: Hacking a
website’s login page to extract user credentials from the database.
4.
Denial of Service (DoS) / Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)
Overloading a
server or network with excessive traffic to make it inaccessible to legitimate
users.
Example: Flooding a
website with fake requests so that it crashes or becomes too slow to use.
5.
Brute Force Attacks
Repeatedly trying
different combinations of passwords or encryption keys until the correct one is
found.
Example: Attempting
all possible combinations to break into an account with weak password
protection.
6.
Social Engineering
Manipulating or
tricking people into revealing confidential information or granting access.
Example: Posing as
an IT support agent to trick an employee into revealing their password.
7.
Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) Attack
Intercepting
communication between two parties (e.g., between a user and a website) to steal
or alter data.
Example:
Eavesdropping on an unencrypted Wi-Fi network to steal personal information
like login credentials.
8.
Keylogging
Installing software
that records keystrokes on a victim’s computer, capturing passwords and other
sensitive data.
Example: A hacker
installs a keylogger on a public computer to steal usernames and passwords.
■ Who is a Hacker?
A hacker is an
individual who uses technical skills and knowledge to exploit or manipulate
computer systems, networks, or software. Hackers can have varying motives,
ranging from malicious intent to ethical purposes. The term "hacker"
encompasses a wide range of individuals with different skill levels and
intentions, often classified into different types based on their actions.
■ Hacker and their Motivations
Financial Gain:
Many hackers seek monetary rewards, either through direct theft, ransom
demands, or selling stolen data.
Political/Ideological
Causes: Some hackers, known as hacktivists, hack systems to promote political
or social causes.
Revenge or Personal
Motives: Hackers may target specific individuals or organizations for personal
reasons.
Curiosity or
Challenge: Some hackers, particularly gray hats, are driven by the challenge of
bypassing security measures.
Corporate
Espionage: Hacking may be used to steal trade secrets or intellectual property
to gain a competitive advantage.
Impact
of Hacking:
Data Theft:
Personal information, financial details, or proprietary data can be stolen.
Financial Loss:
Companies may suffer financial damages due to lost revenue, ransom payments, or
recovery costs.
Reputation Damage:
Security breaches can damage a company’s reputation, leading to loss of
customer trust.
Disruption of Services: Hacking can cause system outages or disruptions, affecting businesses and services.
Preventing hacking
involves employing strong cybersecurity measures such as encryption, firewalls,
regular software updates, and employee awareness training. Ethical hackers and
security professionals play a crucial role in detecting and fixing vulnerabilities
before they can be exploited by malicious actors.
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