The Basics of Hacking
The traditional view of hacking is a lone rogue programmer in a basement, but it’s actually a multibillion-dollar industry. Hackers use sophisticated attack methods to go undetected by cybersecurity software and hardware, and their tools range from simple phishing emails to malicious malware.
Ethical hackers, also known as white hat hackers, are trained to find security vulnerabilities and fix them so they can’t be used by bad actors. They usually work for companies as security consultants or employees, and follow a strict code of conduct that includes getting permission before hacking, never doing more damage than necessary, and keeping their findings confidential.
Malicious hackers (also called black hat hackers) use hacking for personal gain or profit. They may sell stolen data, blackmail victims for ransom, or create denial-of-service attacks to cripple websites. Some may even use their skills to gain revenge on an employer or former coworker.
There are many different ways to get into a system and start hacking, but the most common is to look for exploits in well-known programs like SQL injection. You can also search for open ports (e.g., port 22), services that are prone to exploitation, or popular exploits like fuzzing and password cracking.
Once you know the basics of hacking, you can explore your own systems and test your skills against other hackers in competitions like Capture the Flag. However, it’s important to first learn the fundamental cybersecurity skills that every hacker needs: Networking, Linux, and Windows.