White hat hacking and penetration testing are other names for ethical hacking. An approved effort to obtain unauthorized access to a computer system or data constitutes ethical hacking. Ethical hacking is used to strengthen the system and network security by addressing vulnerabilities discovered during testing.

The best practices, standards, and recommendations for managing cyber security risks are described in sets of papers called cyber security frameworks. The frameworks are in place to lessen the likelihood that hackers and other cybercriminals would exploit the faults and vulnerabilities of a company.

A Linux-based system is a modular operating system that is similar to Unix and derives a large portion of its fundamental architecture from Unix concepts that were pioneered in the 1970s and 1980s. Linux gives users complete control over the operating system. Because Linux is an open-source operating system, users are free to alter its source code—including the source code of applications—to suit their own needs. Linux enables the user to just install the selected program (no bloatware).

Reconnaissance, a more comprehensive approach, includes footprinting. The information-gathering phase of ethical hacking is known as reconnaissance, during which you acquire information about the intended system. Anything from network architecture to employee contact information might be included in this data. Reconnaissance is to locate as many potential assault vectors as is practical.

A free and open-source tool for network discovery and security auditing is called Nmap (short for “Network Mapper”). It is helpful for duties like managing service update schedules, network inventory, and host or service uptime, according to several systems and network managers. To identify which hosts are present on the network, what services (application name and version) those hosts are offering, what operating systems (and OS versions) they are running, what kinds of packet filters/firewalls are in use, and dozens of other characteristics, Nmap employs novel techniques that use raw IP packets

Utilizing a software program known as a network sniffer to monitor or sniff the data moving over computer network lines in real-time is known as network sniffing. This software tool might be a standalone application or a hardware component with the necessary firmware or software.

Exploiting weaknesses in electronic systems with the goal of getting unauthorized access to them is known as system hacking. Hackers enter electronic systems using a number of strategies, including phishing, social engineering, and password guessing.

A wide variety of malevolent behaviors carried out via human interactions are referred to as social engineering. It utilizes psychological trickery to persuade people to breach security or divulge private information.