Introduction to Ethical Hacking

Hackers think outside the box, often exploiting overlooked vulnerabilities. Ethical hacking involves a strong foundation in programming, networking, and cybersecurity principles. Surprisingly, many hackers are self-taught, learning through experimentation and community collaboration.

Hackers are categorized into white hat, black hat, and grey hat. White hats are ethical hackers improving security; black hats exploit vulnerabilities for malicious purposes; grey hats operate in between. Some grey hats expose flaws without permission, but with no malicious intent.

Common tools include Wireshark for network analysis, Metasploit for penetration testing, and Nmap for network discovery. Techniques like SQL injection, phishing, and social engineering can exploit weaknesses. Surprisingly, many hacks are successful due to basic security oversights.

Hacking without permission is illegal and can lead to severe penalties. Ethical hackers must adhere to laws and regulations, ensuring they have explicit consent for their actions. Surprisingly, ethical hacking certifications, like CEH, are essential for legitimizing skills and knowledge.

Create a portfolio showcasing your skills through projects, bug bounties, and contributions to open-source. Engaging in Capture The Flag (CTF) competitions can also enhance your reputation. Interestingly, many companies now hire hackers directly from these platforms.

The first ethical hacker was hired by the U.S. Air Force in the 1970s to test their security systems, decades before 'ethical hacking' became mainstream.