If tackling problems that require an out-of-the-box approach to be solved is your thing, ethical hacking might just be your career of choice! In this “How to become an Ethical Hacker?” article, I’ll be drafting a roadmap for you, the reader, to help you become an Ethical Hacker. Let’s start off by listing down all the topics that are going to be discussed in this article.
Who is an Ethical Hacker?
An ethical hacker is a person who hacks into a computer network in order to test or evaluate its security, rather than with malicious or criminal intent.
So, if you wish to become an ethical hacker, there aren’t any easy methods to become one. It is easy to script a kiddie and load up Armitage or Fast-track and fire every exploit known to man at a target. But there is no use in firing Linux exploits at a Windows box.
Start with Ethical Hacking
How you begin your road to become an ethical hacker very much depends on your current field of occupation, study, or research. If you are not in a field that is remotely related to computer science, information technology, or cybersecurity, you might need to shift into one. For someone who is in the infancy of their career, this might be an easy task but for others, suddenly changing their field of work is a daring task. Having a bachelor’s degree certainly helps you snag the job, but you can pass the most beginner-level interview with a general knowledge of networking and operating systems!
Technical knowledge aside, an ethical hacker must be a creative thinker. Ethical hackers have to predict and prevent cracker activities and this requires an ‘out-of-the-box approach for solutions to general problems as you have to stay one step ahead of black hat hackers. Ethical hackers also need to be able to work under pressure with immaculate judgment. Last but not least, an ethical hacker must be proficient at communicating the problems he finds to the corresponding department.
Those who are skeptical about going to college could also pursue a career in the military. Having some experience in the military, particularly in the intelligence faction, could help your resume get noticed by necessary employers. Getting a job as an ethical hacker prior to gathering any industry experience is really difficult. After getting an entry-level job as a tech support engineer or a security analyst, you may try attaining some of the more pertinent certifications which will definitely give you a certain edge over others when applying for a job. Let’s discuss these other certifications you may want to achieve!
Prerequisite Knowledge Required
In order to enter into the IT security field as a white hat, you should be well versed in the following areas
- Networking
- Programming
- Databases
- Operating systems (Linux and Windows)
If you are sure that you have good knowledge in the above-said areas, then you can start learning about hacking. When you have knowledge about the fundamentals of IT, you can learn how to break some of the underlying vulnerabilities within computer architecture.
The below-mentioned activities can help you in this
Stay Legal!
It’s important never to engage in “black hat” hacking that is, intruding or attacking anyone’s network without their full permission. Engaging in illegal activities, even if it doesn’t lead to a conviction, will likely kill your ethical hacking career. Many of the available jobs are with government-related organizations and require security clearances and polygraph testing.
What areas to concentrate on in order to build a foundation
Networking: Cisco courses are really good. There are many CCNA courses available.
Programming: Learn languages like C++, Python/Ruby, and PHP.
Databases: Work with MySQL and MSSQL and make your own database to know how it works.
Operating systems: Most types of Linux are similar to one another. Additionally, it is worth understanding the more obscure areas of Windows such as the registry.
Learn UNIX/LINUX
Almost all the best-operating systems for hacking are based on the Linux kernel, so the favorite operating systems of hackers are always Linux. UNIX/LINUX is an open-source operating system that provides better security to computer systems. It was first developed by AT&T in Bell labs and contributed a lot to the world of security. You should install LINUX freely available open-source versions on your desktops as without learning UNIX/LINUX, it is not possible to become a hacker.
Linux distro for hacking purposes
- Kali Linux
- Parrot Security OS
- BackBox
- BlackArch Linux
- Fedora Security Spin
- Caine
- Read books about hacking
Learn Cryptography
To become a successful hacker you need to master the art of cryptography. Encryption and Decryption are important skills in hacking. Encryption is widely done in several aspects of information system security in authentication, confidentiality, and integrity of data. Information on a network is in an encrypted form such as passwords. While hacking a system, these encrypted codes need to be broken, which is called decryption.
Some of the books worth reading are
- Linux Basics for Hackers
- The Hackers Playbook 2 & 3
- The Web Application Hacker’s Handbook: Finding and Exploiting Security Flaws
- Hacking: The Art of Exploitation, 2nd Edition
- Penetration Testing: A Hands-On Introduction to Hacking
- Metasploit: The Penetration Tester’s Guide
- CEH Certified Ethical Hacker All-in-One Exam Guide
- Google Hacking for Penetration Testers
Undertake FREE Ethical hacking courses
It is good if you take some free ethical hacking courses even though they won’t give you any industry-recognized qualifications. But they are sure to teach you a lot about the various areas of ethical hacking that will make way to recognized qualifications.
You can register for a free Cybrary account to do a free ethical hacking course at Cybrary.
Know about Latest Hardware Tools
A skilled hacker always keeps a wide variety of tools so he can complete any task. Here you will find all the hardware tools you will need to get the job done.
Undertake recognized online courses
All these courses are paid ones and industry-recognized which will help you to find a job in the IT security sector.
CEH: (Certified Ethical Hacker)
CHFI: (Computer Hacking and Forensic investigator)
OSCP: (Offensive Security Certified Professional)
OSCE: (Offensive Security CertifiedCertified Expert)
OSWP: (Offensive SecurityWireless Professional)
CISM: (Certified Information Security Manager)
CISSP: (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)
CompTIA Security +
For now, let’s discuss CEH certification
About CEH Exam
The CEH exam is a multiple-choice exam that verifies your knowledge pertaining to the penetration testing structure and the tools used within that structure. It equips prospective job seekers in the information security industry with a solid start, making sure the holder of the certificate knows how to do the basics like:
- information gathering
- attacking computers or servers
- wireless attacks and social engineering
Eligibility Criteria for CEH
- Attend Official CEH Training: This can be in any format, e.g., instructor-led training, computer-based training (CBT), or live online training, as long as the program is approved by EC-Council.
- Attempt without Official Training: In order to be considered for the EC-Council certification exam without attending official training, you must: Have two or more years of documented information security experienceRemit a non-refundable eligibility application fee of $100.00Submit completed CEH Exam Eligibility Form including verification from an employer upon approval EC-Council will email you a voucher number to register for the CEH exam
Communicate and follow other fellow IT security enthusiasts through the following mediums
- Facebook (Cybersafe News, The Hacking News, & Other Security Pages )
- Instagram (Cybersafe News)
- Linkedin (Cybersafe News & CyberSecurity Hub)
Read Hacking and Cyber Security News Channel
- Cyber Safe News
- The Hacker News
Self-learn by watching online tutorials
- Youtube.com
- Securitytube.net
- pentesteracademy.com
- Hackeracademy.com
- Udemy.com
Attend Local and International Hacking Conference
Download practice environments to practice and refine newly learned skills
- Burb Suite
- Ettercap
- Wireshark
- DVWA (Dam Vulnerable Web Application)
- Metasploitable2
- Samurai WTF
- Linux Security Distro Tools