Introduction to Hacking
1. What is Hacking?
🔹
Identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in computer systems or networks.
🔹
Can be used for bothmaliciousandethicalpurposes.
🔹
The term "Hacker" originated atMIT in the 1960s.
🔹
Often aimed atstealing data, disrupting systems,or testing security.
2. Ethical Hacking
🔹
Also known asWhite Hat Hacking.
🔹
Anauthorizedattempt to test and improve security.
🔹
Identifies vulnerabilities tofix security flaws.
🔹
Legal when performed forsecurity assessmentsandpenetration testing.
3. Types of Hacking
✅
Network Hacking– Exploiting networks tointerceptdata or disrupt services.
✅
Website Hacking– Gainingunauthorized controlovera website.
✅
Computer Hacking– Accessing ormanipulatinga computersystem without
permission.
✅
Password Hacking– Cracking orstealing passwordsto gain access.
✅
Email Hacking–Unauthorized accessto email accountsfor data theft or fraud.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BLACK HAT, WHITE HAT AND GRAY HAT:
Why is Ethical Hacking Needed?
thical hacking is crucial for ensuring the security of systems and data in a rapidly evolving
E
digital world. Below are the key reasons why ethical hacking is essential:
1. I dentify Security Vulnerabilities
Ethical hackers simulate real-world cyberattacks to discover and fix vulnerabilities
before malicious hackers exploit them.
2. Prevent Data Breaches
Helps protect sensitive data like customer information and financial records from
theft and misuse.
3. Compliance with Regulations
Ensures organizations comply with industry-specific security regulations like GDPR,
HIPAA, and PCI-DSS.
4. S trengthen Incident Response
Simulates attack scenarios to prepare organizations for effective cyber incident
responses.
5. Cost Savings
Preventing a breach is much cheaper than dealing with the aftermath, including
legal consequences and reputation damage.
6. Maintain Customer Trust
Helps secure systems, assuring customers that their data is safe.
7. Combat Evolving Cyber Threats
Helps organizations adapt to new, evolving threats.
8. Protect Critical Infrastructure
Safeguards vital systems like energy grids, financial networks, and healthcare
systems.
ow is Ethical Hacking Different from Security Auditing and Digital
H
Forensics?
Key Differences:
● E thical Hacking focuses on proactively identifying and fixing
vulnerabilities.
● Security Auditing ensures compliance with security policies and
regulations.
● Digital Forensics investigates past cyber incidents to understand and
resolve them.
Signing NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement):
n NDA is essential in ethical hacking engagements to protect sensitive
A
information and ensure that ethical boundaries are respected. Key aspects
of an NDA include:
1. Why is an NDA Important?
○ Protects confidential information (e.g., source code, customer
data).
○ Provides legal assurance for both parties.
○ Builds trust between the ethical hacker and the organization.
2. Key Clauses in an NDA:
○ Confidential Information: Defines what is considered
confidential.
○ Scope of Engagement: Specifies the ethical hacking activities.
○ Obligations of the Ethical Hacker: Includes confidentiality and
proper data usage.
○ Exclusions: Information that is already public is excluded.
○ Legal Remedies for Breach: Penalties for violation.
3. Best Practices:
○ Carefully review the NDA.
○ Include reporting procedures.
○ Consider mutual NDAs for both parties’ protection.
○ Consult legal experts to ensure compliance with applicable
laws.
Compliance and Regulatory Concerns in Ethical Hacking
thical hacking must comply with legal regulations and industry standards
E
to ensure that hacking activities are responsible and lawful.
1. Key Legal Frameworks:
○ CFAA (U.S.): Governs unauthorized access.
○ GDPR (EU): Protects data privacy.
CISA (U.S.): Promotes cybersecurity threat information sharing.
○
○ Data Protection Act (UK): Similar to GDPR.
2. Consent Requirements:
○ Written agreement detailing systems to be tested and scope of
testing.
3. Privacy Concerns:
○ Avoid accessing unnecessary personal data.
○ Follow data protection laws like GDPR and HIPAA.
4. Industry-Specific Compliance Standards:
○ Finance: PCI DSS
○ Healthcare: HIPAA
○ Government: FISMA
○ Technology: SOC 2
○ Global: ISO/IEC 27001
5. Penalties for Non-Compliance:
○ Legal penalties, reputation damage, and operational impacts for
non-compliance.
Types of Hackers:
Phases of Ethical Hacking
1. Reconnaissance (Information Gathering)
○ Collect information using passive and active techniques (e.g.,
Nmap, WHOIS).
○ Goal: Understand the target’s infrastructure.
2. Scanning
○ Identify live systems, open ports, and vulnerabilities (e.g.,
Nessus, OpenVAS).
○ Goal: Map the network and detect weaknesses.
3. Gaining Access
○ Exploit vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access (e.g.,
Metasploit, SQLmap).
Goal: Establish a foothold.
○
. Maintaining Access
4
○ Ensure long-term access to the compromised system (e.g.,
Netcat).
○ Goal: Maintain control without detection.
5. Covering Tracks
○ Remove evidence of the hack (e.g., log cleaner scripts).
○ Goal: Avoid detection by security systems.
6. Post-Exploitation and Reporting
○ Document findings and provide remediation steps (e.g.,
reporting tools).
○ Goal: Help the organization improve security.
Approach to Security Testing:
1. Planning
● Planning is the first phase of security testing.
● I t involves understanding the scope, identifying target
systems/applications, and defining testing goals.
● Key activities:
○ Define the security requirements of the system.
○ Identify critical assets and data flow.
○ D
etermine who will perform the testing (internal team or
external).
○ Get necessary permissions for ethical testing.
○ Ensure non-disruption of services during testing.
🧠 2. Threat Modeling
● This step identifies potential threats and vulnerabilities.
● Helps prioritize high-risk areas to focus the testing effort.
● Involves:
○ Creating a data flow diagram (DFD) of the system.
○ Identifying attack surfaces and entry points.
○ Listing possible threats using techniques like STRIDE:
■ Spoofing
■ Tampering
■ Repudiation
■ Information Disclosure
■ Denial of Service (DoS)
■ Elevation of Privilege
🛡️ 3. Set up Security Verification Standards
● D
efine security baselines or standards against which the system will
be tested.
● Examples:
○ OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities.
○ SANS Top 25 vulnerabilities.
○ CIS Benchmarks.
● T
hese standards help maintain uniformity and consistency in
testing.
🧪 4. Set up Security Testing Plan
📆 a. When to Test
● Decide the testing frequency:
○ During SDLC phases (development, staging, deployment).
○ After major updates or patches.
○ Periodically (e.g., quarterly or annually).
🧭 b. Which Systems/Applications to Test
● Identify systems that handle critical data, including:
○ Web apps
○ Mobile apps
○ APIs
○ Cloud platforms
○ Network infrastructure
5. Authenticated vs. Unauthenticated Testing
6. Internal vs. External Penetration Testing (PT)
