With the advent of the internet and new technologies, the activities of ethical hackers have become more useful now than at any other time in history. However, along with the undeniable benefits of technology, the concept of ‘cybercrime’ poses a real threat as well. To achieve the goal, it is important to understand where the sphere of ethical hacking is heading, what obstacles it encounters and what prospects it carries. In this direction, the blog discusses why ethical hacking tends to be more than a temporary phase in the development of cyber defense systems of the future.
What is Ethical Hacking?
Ethical hacking, also known as penetration testing, or ‘white-hat hacking’, is one of the most important aspects of cybersecurity today. It is defined as action of authorized persons – usually security specialists – who attempt to breach the security of a system, network or application, so as to identify any weaknesses that a hacker could potentially exploit.
A Guide to the Varieties of Ethical Hacking
Web Application Hacking: This act of web application hacking who also known as web app hacking involves exploiting the security of web applications. This only applies to software that operates on a web server and can be used with browsers as it includes web applications for e commerce, nett Banking and social networking. Cyber law practitioners know the adequacy of these measures and develop all the measures that will preserve the undertaking of the three elements of information security.
System Hacking: Also sometimes referred to as network or system hacking, this activity involves somehow penetrating the illegitimate networks or server of computers for data that is been sacred. This can lead to considerable loss of data. Protecting computer networks from these system-based security breakdowns and lowering the risk of harm by recognizing and fortifying potential threat factors is a concern of ethical hacking.
Web Server Hacking: Web Server Hacking enables hackers to obtain sensitive information and details such as credit card and email addresses. This technique usually combines the same approach with “sniffing attacks” whereby information that is transmitted over the internet is interfered with and even captured. Sensor systems have recorded immense growth in light of common weaknesses for malicious hackers. Thus ethical hackers have become indispensable and inevitable in protecting web servers and data.
Wireless Network Hacking: Wireless network hacking is prevalent due to the ease of accessing open public Wi-Fi networks. These networks, communicating via radio waves, are vulnerable to nearby attackers. Ethical hackers assess and secure wireless networks to protect data and ensure the safety of remote working environments for organizations.
Evolving Sophistication in Cyber Threats
With the advances in technology, so too do the cyber threats, and one of those new trends that has added a great deal of complexity for cybercriminals is the growth of the Internet of Things. Smart thermostats, self-driving cars and billions of other connected devices that in yesteryears could not even be imagined have all come forth, thus increasing the number of possible network breaches. This interconnectivity allows for great ease of use and effectiveness but on the other hand introduces new security risks.
The susceptibility of IoT devices makes them easy pilfer targets – most of these devices have little and at times no security features. Hacked heating systems could one day lead into very secure areas of other systems while system errors in self-driving cars could lead to avoidable deaths. Networks are becoming complicated for the simple reason of the number of devices connected to them, the more devices there are the more entry points there are for hacking attempts.
With growing complexity in cyberattacks, integrating defensive measures for the IoT devices is a necessity. It is also essential to confirm that appropriate security measures are put in place to reduce the possibilities of problems occurring. In today’s society where the most important things are comfort and communication, it is necessary to find ways to combine these aspects with effective protection against threats.
Some Notorious Hacks in History that Fall Under OWASP Top 10
Marriott International (2018)
In terms of hacks to date, the 2018 Marriott International data breach, where the records of 500 million guests were compromised including exposure of passports, credit cards, date of arrival and departure, PII, and much more, is on record to be among the worst and most extensive cybersecurity breaches known to have ever occurred.
Marriott’s attackers used email spoofing to get into the systems and with the aid of legacy I.T. infrastructure, spread a malware into the vulnerable guest reservation system. Don’t be surprised because Britain’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) slapped hard on the company and issued a fine of 18.4 million pounds for violations of the General Data Protection Regulation.
Marriott found out that they had been hacked after the databases activity monitoring security tool flagged a query which should not have been made. In spite of the fact that there is an unauthorized user of the account who performed the query with administrator privileges, the investigation results revealed that neither did the account assigned owner do it which shows that the account was hijacked by another person.
First American Financial Corp Data Leak (2019)
In 2019, the United States based mortgage and real estate financial services company First American Financial Corp experienced one of the biggest hacks in history. Real estate developer Ben Shoval was able to pinpoint that scores of data, namely around 885 million files encompassing line of customer-sensitive materials dated back to 2003 and after, were existent without any form of security. He made a report to the company regarding that.
This leak was done due to human error. During that period, a manual penetration testing was conducted and there was an internal find of an IDOR vulnerability in the month of January. This flaw permitted the use of a combination of specific URLs particularly in the changing of the numeric digits at the end of the URL to retrieve private information. This info was accessible to any user without proper validation and thus, any document could be obtained for free.
LinkedIn API Breach (2021)
Out of all other hacking occurrences, the most recent and possibly the largest hack that went down in history is the LinkedIn API data breach in 2021. As many as 700 million users’ personal records – that is 92% of the user base – got appropriated from the site and were offered in a black market web forum for hackers. Could be looked at as – why? Attackers found a publicly available API with no authentication requirements and exploited it to extract data.
Because users’ personal and business details were made available on the Incident Reporting System, the users were cautioned about the likelihood of being victims of identity theft, spear phishing, and impersonation. Caution was the order of the day.
Microsoft Teams Outage (2023)
Microsoft teams suffered a great outage on June 28, 2023. This scheduled maintenance happened because, in early June, Microsoft observed a lot of traffic, which tipped the company off on this development. On a quest to feedback with users all over the world, users were affected from 10:49 a.m. to 12:55 p.m.
The Growing Need for Ethical Hackers
White hat hackers, otherwise known as ethical hackers, become a very important asset by locating security loopholes before they are abused by the wrong people. Their skill sets are invaluable as the threats to cyber security keener and widespread. With the changing times and internet attacks becoming more sophisticated the demand for expert and ethical hackers is on the rise.
Roughly one in three of them also agree that the disturbing deficit of adequately trained cybersecurity workers is a problem and hence compelling the need for more ethical hackers to address this problem.
The Future of Cyber Defense
As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, the role of ethical hackers is more critical than ever. Their expertise in anticipating malicious tactics, adapting to emerging threats, and providing actionable insights is essential for maintaining robust cyber defenses.
Ethical hackers are of use in the performance of cybersecurity, as they may help to reveal weaknesses and risks even before they may be used in surrogate ways or cybercrime can be committed. Such measures are essential in protecting sensitive information and the overall economic cyber structure.Organizations should make sure there are relevant programs on ethical hacking and cybersecurity to assist in creating strong responses to emerging attacks and solving the shortage of skilled manpower that is on the rise.
Governments and private sectors must collaborate to foster the development of ethical hackers, ensuring a steady supply of talent to combat emerging threats. Embracing and supporting ethical hackers is not merely a defensive strategy but a proactive measure to secure our digital future. By fortifying our cybersecurity with skilled ethical hackers, we can stay ahead of malicious actors and protect the integrity of our interconnected world.
Final Thoughts
As we advance digitally, ethical hacking will be vital for staying ahead of evolving threats. Aspiring ethical hackers should focus on continuous learning and adaptability, as well as mastering diverse security techniques. Your expertise will play a crucial role in shaping a secure digital future.
