What Is Ethical Hacking? | Ethical Hacking In 8 Minutes | Ethical Hacking Explanation | Simplilearn

Summary

This video explains the importance of cybersecurity and ethical hacking in protecting digital data from cyber attacks. It highlights the 2017 WannaCry ransomware attack, which affected thousands of systems worldwide, and introduces the concept of ethical hacking through the story of Dan, a business owner whose company was attacked. The video explores different types of hackers (black hat, white hat, and grey hat), the phases of ethical hacking, and the skills required to become an ethical hacker. It concludes by emphasizing the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals and offers resources to get certified in ethical hacking.

Takeaways

• 😀 Cybersecurity is crucial in today's digital age to protect sensitive data like online banking, medical reports, and account credentials from cyberattacks.
• 😀 The WannaCry ransomware attack in May 2017 infected over 230,000 computers across 150 countries, exploiting vulnerabilities in unsupported versions of Microsoft Windows.
• 😀 The attack demanded a ransom in Bitcoin and highlighted the importance of keeping systems updated with the latest security patches.
• 😀 Cybersecurity aims to protect networks, programs, computer systems, and data from unauthorized access and attacks, often referred to as hacking.
• 😀 Hacking can be categorized into three types: Black Hat Hackers (malicious), White Hat Hackers (ethical), and Grey Hat Hackers (mixed intentions).
• 😀 Ethical hackers, also known as White Hat Hackers, identify and fix vulnerabilities in systems to prevent attacks and enhance security.
• 😀 Ethical hacking involves six key phases: reconnaissance, scanning, gaining access, maintaining access, clearing tracks, and reporting.
• 😀 In the reconnaissance phase, ethical hackers gather information about the target system using tools like Nmap and hping.
• 😀 Ethical hackers exploit system vulnerabilities during the 'gaining access' phase, and they try to maintain access with backdoors for future testing.
• 😀 Ethical hackers document their findings and provide a comprehensive report to help organizations strengthen their defenses against cyber threats.
• 😀 Cybersecurity professionals, particularly ethical hackers, are in high demand, with an average annual salary of $91,000 in the U.S. and ₹7 lakhs in India.

Q & A

What was the Wannacry ransomware attack and when did it occur?

The Wannacry ransomware attack occurred in May 2017 and affected over 230,000 computers across 150 countries. It encrypted data and locked users out of their systems, demanding a ransom in Bitcoin for decryption.

What was the main vulnerability exploited by the Wannacry attack?

The main vulnerability exploited was a weakness in unsupported versions of Microsoft Windows, particularly those that had not installed the security update released in April 2017.

What is cybersecurity, and why is it important?

Cybersecurity refers to the practice of protecting computer systems, networks, and data from unauthorized digital attacks. It is crucial to safeguard sensitive information and prevent cybercrime.

What is the difference between black hat, white hat, and grey hat hackers?

Black hat hackers are malicious individuals who hack for illegal purposes, often for monetary gain. White hat hackers, also known as ethical hackers, hack with permission to improve security. Grey hat hackers fall between the two, identifying vulnerabilities and sometimes asking for money to report them, without seeking prior approval.

Can hacking be legal? If so, what is it called?

Yes, hacking can be legal if done with permission to improve security. This is called ethical hacking, where hackers work to identify and fix vulnerabilities in a system.

What are the six phases of ethical hacking?

The six phases of ethical hacking are: 1) Reconnaissance (gathering information), 2) Scanning (identifying vulnerabilities), 3) Gaining Access (exploiting vulnerabilities), 4) Maintaining Access (ensuring continued access), 5) Clearing Tracks (removing evidence), and 6) Reporting (documenting the attack).

Why did Dan hire an ethical hacker, and how did it help his business?

Dan hired an ethical hacker after his company was attacked and he realized that he needed someone to proactively identify vulnerabilities. The ethical hacker helped secure the company’s systems, preventing future attacks and restoring customer trust.

What skills are necessary to become an ethical hacker?

To become an ethical hacker, one must have knowledge of operating systems (e.g., Windows, Linux), programming languages (e.g., HTML, Python), networking, cybersecurity laws, and obtain relevant certifications such as Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) or CompTIA Pentest+.

How can ethical hacking certifications help in building a career in cybersecurity?

Certifications like CEH or CompTIA Pentest+ validate an individual’s knowledge and skills in ethical hacking, making them eligible for cybersecurity roles and increasing their chances of being hired by organizations seeking to protect their systems.

What is the average salary of a certified ethical hacker in the US and India?

The average salary of a certified ethical hacker in the US is approximately $91,000 per year, while in India it is about ₹7,00,000 annually.