You will accomplish the ultimate goals within the time and resources you have available if you have the right skills. You’ll need to learn skills as a hacker to help you get the job done. Learning to program, use the internet, be excellent at problem-solving, and take advantage of existing security technologies are all examples of these skills. In this chapter, we’ll go through the most basic programming languages and skills that a hacker needs to know.
Ethical hacking is a field that is often misunderstood by people due to inaccurate depictions in movies and popular culture. Contrary to the belief that hacking is a quick and easy process of password cracking or data stealing, ethical hacking involves scanning for vulnerabilities and identifying potential threats on a computer or network. The goal of an ethical hacker is to identify weak points or loopholes in computer systems, web applications, or networks and report these issues to the relevant organization. To become an ethical hacker, one must possess technical knowledge and skills in computer networking, operating systems, programming languages, and security. Additionally, ethical hackers should possess problem-solving skills, creativity, attention to detail, work well under pressure, have excellent communication skills, and an ethical mindset to ensure they follow ethical guidelines when performing their work.
Prominent Skills that are Required to Become an Ethical Hacker
- Programming Skills
- Computer Networking Skills
- Database Skills
- Problem-solving Skills
- Computer Skills
- Linux Skills
- Basic Hardware Knowledge
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Programming Skills
Programming skills are essential for becoming an ethical hacker. Programming, in the context of computers, refers to the process of creating code that can be understood and executed by a computational device to perform various instructions. To improve one’s programming skills, it is necessary to write a significant amount of code. Before writing code, it is essential to choose the most appropriate programming language for the task at hand. Ethical hackers often use several programming languages, and learning them can be done through various resources such as online courses, books, and tutorials. Here is a list of programming languages commonly used by ethical hackers and where to find resources for learning them.
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- Python
- SQL
- C++
- Java
- Ruby
- C
- JavaScript
- PHP
- Perl
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Computer Networking Skills
Networking skills are crucial for anyone seeking to become an ethical hacker. A computer network is essentially a group of interconnected devices or hosts that communicate with each other via various paths to send or receive data or media. To effectively explore the different interconnected computers in a network and identify potential security threats, it is essential to have a thorough understanding of network protocols such as DHCP, subnetting, and supernetting. Having these skills enables ethical hackers to identify and mitigate potential security threats to a network.
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Database Skills
DBMS (Database Management System) is an essential component for creating and managing databases. If an unauthorized person accesses a database where sensitive information is stored, it can pose a significant threat to a company’s security. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that the software used for managing databases is secure and cannot be hacked. An ethical hacker must have a comprehensive understanding of DBMS and different database engines, as well as data schemas to help organizations build robust and secure systems. By having a good understanding of these concepts, ethical hackers can help organizations detect and mitigate potential security threats to their databases.
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Problem-Solving Skills
Apart from possessing technical skills, problem-solving abilities are crucial for an ethical hacker. Being a critical thinker and dynamic problem solver is necessary to identify the source of a problem and find an effective solution. Ethical hackers should also have a continuous learning mindset, always seeking new ways to improve and ensure all potential security breaches are thoroughly investigated. This requires extensive testing and a creative aptitude to devise innovative solutions to complex problems. In summary, ethical hackers must possess a range of problem-solving abilities to effectively identify, assess and resolve security risks.
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Computer Skills
Computer skills are the knowledge and abilities necessary to use computers and related technologies effectively. Basic computer skills typically include tasks such as data processing, managing computer files, and creating presentations. Advanced computer skills involve more complex tasks such as managing databases, programming, and running calculations in spreadsheets. Some of the most essential computer skills include proficiency in MS Office, spreadsheets, email management, database management, social media, web development, and enterprise systems. As an ethical hacker, it is necessary to be a computer systems expert, having a deep understanding of the technical skills required to identify and mitigate potential security threats to computer systems.
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Linux Skills
Linux is a group of open-source Unix-like operating systems that are founded on the Linux Kernel. It’s an open-source and free operating system that can be modified and distributed by anyone, commercially or non-commercially, under the GNU General Public License. The primary reason why ethical hackers should learn Linux is that, in terms of security, it is considered more secure than other operating systems. While no operating system can be 100% secure, Linux is less vulnerable to malware and other cyber threats compared to other operating systems, which means that it typically doesn’t require the use of anti-virus software.
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Basic Hardware Knowledge
Computer hardware refers to the physical components of a computer, such as the CPU, monitor, keyboard, mouse, data storage devices, graphics card, sound card, speakers, and motherboard. On the other hand, software is the set of instructions that hardware can store and execute. Suppose an ethical hacker wants to hack a machine controlled by a computer. In that case, he/she must first understand how the machine operates and then gain access to the controlling computer. Although the machine may have strong software security, hackers are less concerned about hardware security and can manipulate hardware if they have access to it. A basic understanding of computer hardware is required to comprehend how the motherboard, USBs for data transfer, CMOS, and BIOS function together. Therefore, to become an ethical hacker, it is essential to have basic knowledge of computer hardware.
Other skills
A strong hacker should also have the following skills in addition to programming skills:
- Be able to easily collect information using the internet and search engines.
- Get a Linux-based OS and know the fundamental commands any Linux user should know.
Because practice makes it better, a good hacker should be hardworking and contribute positively to the hacker community. He or she will help by creating open-source software, answering questions on hacker sites, and so on.
With this, we have concluded the topic about Skills Required to Become an Ethical Hacker, find more information about ethical hacking by following us @ tutorials.freshersnow.com.