Malicious hackers use an array of tools and methodologies to breach cybersecurity. These include social engineering techniques or exploiting vulnerabilities in networks, configurations, and software with cross-site scripting (XSS), SQL injection (SQLI), and other types of attacks. Ethical hacking adds hurdles in their way.<\/p>
Also known as white hat hackers, ethical hackers use their own sets of tools and assessment techniques to identify security vulnerabilities before malicious hackers can take advantage of them.<\/p>
Ethical hacking is the practice of performing security assessments using the same techniques that hackers use. However, they use proper approvals and authorization from the organization you’re hacking into. The goal is to use cybercriminals\u2019 tactics, techniques, and strategies to locate potential weaknesses and reinforce an organization\u2019s protection from data and security breaches.\u00a0<\/p>
An ethical hacker is an information security (infosec) expert who penetrates a computer system, network, application, or other computing resource on behalf of its owners — and with their authorization. Organizations call on ethical hackers to uncover potential security vulnerabilities that malicious hackers could exploit.<\/p>
The purpose of ethical hacking is to evaluate the security of and identify vulnerabilities in target systems, networks or system infrastructure. The process entails finding and then attempting to exploit vulnerabilities to determine whether unauthorized access or other malicious activities are possible.<\/p>
Former IBM executive John Patrick is often credited with creating the\u00a0ethical hacking\u00a0<\/em>term in the 1990s. However, the concept and its applied practice occurred much earlier.<\/p> The term\u00a0hacking<\/em>\u00a0first started to appear in the 1960s in connection with activities at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It referred to applying creative engineering techniques to “hack” machinery and make it operate more efficiently. At the time, hacking was considered to be a compliment for those with exceptional skills in computer programming.<\/p> Malicious hacking became more frequent in later decades, in parallel with the commercialization of consumer-oriented computer technologies. Hackers realized\u00a0computer programming languages\u00a0could be used to manipulate telecommunications systems and complete long-distance calls for free, a practice dubbed\u00a0phreaking<\/em>.<\/p> The commercialization of hacking skills, known as hacking as a service (HaaS), has made cybersecurity more complex. On the positive side, cybersecurity firms and information technology (IT) security vendors have started to offer optional ethical HaaS via contract to corporate clients. However, an underground market is flourishing on the dark web, including online marketplaces for aspiring hackers, often in the pursuit of illegal activities.<\/p> The coronavirus pandemic created new avenues of pursuit for cybercriminals. In “The Hidden Costs of Cybercrime,” published in July 2020 by the Center for Strategic and International Studies and security software company McAfee, monetary losses from cybercrime in 2020 are estimated to top $945 billion. <\/p> In addition, the report estimated that organizations will spend $145 billion on cybersecurity services and technologies.<\/p> Hackers, who are often referred to as black-hat hackers, are those known for illegally breaking into a victim\u2019s networks. Their motives are to disrupt systems, destroy or steal data and sensitive information, and engage in malicious activities or mischief. <\/p> Black-hat hackers usually have advanced knowledge for navigating around security protocols, breaking into computer networks, and writing the malware that infiltrates systems. Here are some of the differences:<\/p> Ethical hackers, on the other hand, are commonly called white-hat hackers. They use many of the same skills and knowledge as black-hat hackers but with the approval of the company that hires them. These information security professionals are hired specifically to help find and secure vulnerabilities that may be susceptible to a cyber attack. <\/p> Ethical hackers will regularly engage in assessing systems and networks and reporting those findings.<\/p>Difference between ethical hacking and hacking<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>