What is Ethical Hacking? A Comprehensive Guide in 2025

What Is Ethical Hacking?

When the general public encounters the term “hacking,” it is frequently associated with malicious cyberattacks. However, in our modern, technology-centric society, there exists a specialized cadre of cybersecurity experts who counteract these threats by effectively outmaneuvering the adversaries—they are known as ethical hackers.

In the world of cybersecurity, ethical hackers are incredibly important. They possess the necessary knowledge, expertise, and experience to conduct risk assessments and evaluate systems for potential security vulnerabilities. Their evaluations encompass a wide range of security breach scenarios, exploits, and vulnerabilities, thereby safeguarding organizations against possible attacks.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts a continued expansion in the cybersecurity sector in the upcoming years. Positions such as cybersecurity analysts are expected to experience a growth rate of 33% over the next few years. To delve deeper into the various categories of hackers, along with the tools, responsibilities, and certifications required to pursue a career as an ethical hacker, keep reading.

Key Concepts of Ethical Hacking

1. Reconnaissance (Footprinting and Information Gathering): This initial stage involves the ethical hacker collecting extensive information about the target system before initiating any tests. This can be achieved through passive techniques like conducting Google searches or active methods such as network scanning.
2. Scanning: During this phase, ethical hackers utilize specialized tools to detect vulnerabilities within the target system. Common practices include port scanning, network mapping, and vulnerability assessments.
3. Gaining Access: Here, ethical hackers exploit identified vulnerabilities to obtain unauthorized access to systems. They employ the same strategies as malicious hackers but operate with explicit permission.
4. Maintaining Access: After gaining access, ethical hackers may attempt to sustain their presence within the system. This could involve establishing backdoors or installing software that allows them to re-enter the system without being detected.
5. Clearing Tracks: Ethical hackers make sure to eliminate any evidence of their activities. This includes deleting logs, erasing footprints, and ensuring that the system remains unaware of the attempted intrusion.
6. Reporting: The final and most vital stage involves documenting the findings. Ethical hackers detail the vulnerabilities discovered, and the methods employed, and provide recommendations for enhancing system security. This report is then shared with the organization to help bolster their defenses.
7. Penetration Testing: This involves conducting a simulated cyberattack to evaluate the security measures of a system. Penetration testing encompasses all the aforementioned stages with the objective of identifying and addressing security weaknesses before malicious actors can exploit them.
8. Adhering to Legal and Ethical Standards: Ethical hackers must comply with stringent legal and ethical guidelines. This ensures they have the necessary permissions to test systems and that their actions align with all applicable laws and regulations.

Types of Ethical Hacking

Web Application Hacking: This type involves assessing web applications for vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and security misconfigurations. Ethical hackers aim to uncover flaws that could lead to unauthorized access or data breaches.

Network Hacking: This focuses on detecting weaknesses within a network’s security framework. It includes scanning for open ports, identifying vulnerable services, and exploiting flaws in network protocols to gain unauthorized access or disrupt operations.

Wireless Network Hacking: This searches wireless networks for vulnerabilities in WEP, WPA, and WPA2 Wi-Fi security protocols. The objective is to gain unauthorized access to the wireless network or intercept transmitted data.

System Hacking: This involves breaching individual systems to gain unauthorized access, elevate privileges, or execute harmful actions. Installation of malicious software, system vulnerabilities, and password cracking are some techniques that may be used.

Social Engineering: This method leverages human psychology to gain unauthorized access to systems or sensitive information. Ethical hackers may use tactics like phishing, baiting, or pretexting to deceive users into revealing confidential information or taking actions that compromise security.

Ethical Hacking of Mobile Platforms: This focuses on identifying vulnerabilities in mobile operating systems (such as iOS and Android) and applications. It includes testing for insecure data storage practices, inadequate transport layer protection, and weak authentication mechanisms.

Physical Hacking: This involves gaining unauthorized physical access to facilities or devices. Ethical hackers may assess the security of physical entry points like doors, locks, and biometric systems to identify vulnerabilities that could permit unauthorized access.

Cloud Security Testing: This entails evaluating the security of cloud infrastructure, applications, and services. Ethical hackers look for misconfigurations, insecure APIs, and other vulnerabilities that could be exploited within a cloud environment.

IoT (Internet of Things) Hacking: This focuses on identifying security weaknesses in IoT devices and networks. It includes testing the security of smart devices, wearables, and other connected technologies to prevent unauthorized access and data breaches.

Reverse Engineering: This involves dissecting software or hardware to identify vulnerabilities, understand functionality, or develop exploits. Ethical hackers utilize reverse engineering techniques to uncover hidden flaws or malicious code within applications or firmware.

What do ethical hackers do?

Ethical hackers can help organizations in a number of ways, including the following:

• Identifying Vulnerabilities: Ethical hackers assist organizations in assessing the effectiveness of their IT security measures by pinpointing areas that require updates or contain exploitable vulnerabilities. After evaluating an organization’s systems, they report their findings to leadership regarding vulnerable aspects such as insufficient password encryption, insecure applications, or exposed systems running outdated software. This information helps organizations make informed decisions about enhancing their security posture to mitigate cyber threats.
• Demonstrating Cybercriminal Techniques: These demonstrations reveal to executives the hacking methods that malicious actors might employ against their systems. Companies equipped with knowledge about these techniques are better positioned to prevent potential attacks.
• Preparing for Cyber Attacks: Cyber attacks can severely impact businesses—especially smaller ones—yet many remain unprepared for such incidents. Ethical hackers have insights into how threat actors operate and how they might leverage new information and techniques for attacks. Security professionals collaborating with ethical hackers can better prepare for future threats by adapting to the evolving landscape of online risks.

What skills are needed to become an ethical hacker?

To excel in cybersecurity, you need a versatile skill set and a thorough understanding of networking and various operating systems, including Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android. In this course, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from industry leaders like Cisco, Juniper, and Palo Alto—companies whose technologies are integral to our teaching and operations.

Ethical hacking represents the offensive aspect of cybersecurity, but it’s not the only career path. You can also pursue a defensive role, known as “blue teaming,” where you work within a Security Operations Center (SOC) or Network Operations Center (NOC) to monitor and defend systems from cyber threats.

Ethical hackers’ code of ethics

Ethical hackers adhere to a strict code of conduct, ensuring their work supports and protects the organizations they work for rather than causing any harm. Institutions that certify ethical hackers, such as the International Council of E-Commerce Consultants (EC-Council), have established formal codes of ethics. While specific guidelines can differ slightly, ethical hacking generally follows these core principles:

• Gaining Explicit Consent: Ethical hackers obtain permission from the organizations they test. They collaborate to define the scope of their activities, including timelines, testing methods, and systems or assets involved.
• Avoiding Harm: Ethical hackers refrain from causing any real damage to the systems they analyze and never steal sensitive data. Their work is strictly to demonstrate vulnerabilities as a preventative measure.
• Ensuring Confidentiality: Ethical hackers provide detailed findings on vulnerabilities only to the company involved, enabling them to improve their defenses without exposing sensitive information.
• Abiding by Legal Boundaries: Ethical hackers use legal methods exclusively and do not engage with or support any malicious actors.

Benefits of ethical hacking

The constant emergence of new viruses, malware, ransomware, and worms reinforces the critical role of ethical hackers in securing the networks of government agencies, defense departments, and businesses. Ethical hacking offers numerous advantages:

• Identifying Vulnerabilities from an Attacker’s Perspective: Ethical hackers help discover system weaknesses that might otherwise go unnoticed.
• Performing Realistic Security Assessments: By simulating real-world scenarios, they provide insights that contribute to the protection of networks.
• Safeguarding Customer and Investor Data: Ethical hackers support the security of sensitive information, fostering trust and confidence among clients and stakeholders.
• Reinforcing Network Defenses: Through their findings, ethical hackers enable organizations to implement robust security measures that deter potential breaches actively.

How are ethical hackers different than malicious hackers?

Ethical hackers leverage their expertise to enhance the security and functionality of organizational technology. They play a crucial role by identifying vulnerabilities that could result in security breaches and reporting these findings back to the organization. Moreover, they offer guidance on remediation strategies. Often, ethical hackers will conduct follow-up tests to verify that the identified vulnerabilities have been effectively addressed.

In contrast, malicious hackers aim to gain unauthorized access to sensitive resources for personal gain or notoriety. Some engage in activities like defacing websites or crashing backend servers for amusement, to damage reputations, or to inflict financial harm. The vulnerabilities they exploit and the methods they use go unreported, as they have no interest in improving an organization’s security posture.

Certified ethical hackers

A variety of ethical hacking and IT security certifications exist to help ethical hackers showcase their expertise in the field. Notable industry certifications include:

1. CompTIA Certifications: CompTIA offers three key programs: Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+), Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+), and PenTest+. The CySA+ certification focuses on applying behavioral analytics to enhance network security. CASP+ validates advanced competencies in risk management and enterprise security operations and architecture. PenTest+ is tailored for IT professionals involved in penetration testing and vulnerability assessments.

2. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH): This vendor-neutral certification is provided by the International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants (EC-Council), a prominent certification body. The CEH certification assesses an individual’s knowledge of network security, making it particularly suitable for penetration testers. It covers over 270 attack technologies. Candidates must complete official training from EC-Council or its affiliates and possess at least two years of experience in information security. The CEH Master certification involves participating in various hacking competitions and challenges, emphasizing cloud computing and application container security.

3. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA): Offered by ISACA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to professionals in information security, assurance, risk management, and governance, this certification validates the knowledge and skills of security professionals. To qualify for CISA, candidates must have five years of relevant professional experience in information systems auditing, control, or security.

4. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM): Also offered by ISACA, CISM is an advanced certification that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated extensive knowledge and experience in developing and managing enterprise information security programs. It is targeted at information security managers, aspiring managers, or IT consultants involved in program management. Like CISA, candidates must have five years of related work experience.

5. GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC): This certification is created and administered by the Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) organization. It is designed for security professionals seeking to demonstrate their qualifications for hands-on IT systems roles concerning security tasks. Candidates must show a comprehensive understanding of information security beyond basic terminology and concepts.

6. Microsoft Technology Associate Security Fundamentals: This exam was offered by Microsoft as an introductory step toward the more extensive Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate certification. However, as of June 2024, Microsoft announced that these exams would be phased out in favor of new role-based assessments.