Many of us would have an ambitious career prospect of beginning in a demanding and challenging field. Due to the sharp rise of the cloud computing platform, internet usage and storage of data on the cloud have increased tremendously, and cyber threats are increasing simultaneously.
It has paid the way for the ethical hackers highly demanded in every sector, from IT to government agencies. Ethical hackers are the most- sought-after career among young graduates because it is a challenging career field.
According to the report, there are 5% more job openings for ethical hackers than was anticipated one year ago, among a range of challenging professions. On popular job portals like Naukri, there are more than 5000+ unfilled job postings for ethical hackers.
If you want to become an ethical hacker, you can join an Ethical Hacking Course in Chennai, which will help you have an in-depth understanding of network Scanning, system Hacking Methodology, tools – N-map, sniffing, Kali Linux and many more. In this blog, we shall discuss the ethical hacker roadmap a career in ethical hacking and ethical hacking job opportunities.
Why is ethical hacking a demanding career field?
Hacking is an enticing prospect for those who intend to begin their career in the IT sector, value the actual demand for information technology, and relish the challenge.
The phrase “ethical hacking” is most frequently used in the IT industry. Due to the increased frequency of cyber-attacks, businesses and government organizations have been pushed to strengthen their defences against malevolent hackers.
Ethical hacking has become crucial in the contemporary digital environment. For those looking to enter the IT business, becoming a Certified Ethical Hacker is the best career path (CEH).
What is ethical hacking?
Until you understand the work of an ethical hacker, the term hacking might seem ‘negative connotations.’ The primary objective of ethical hackers is to protect the system and data from cyber attackers. Hacking can are commonly classified into four types. Hackers are distinguished based on the work they undergo while hacking. The common role of ethical hackers is to find the variabilities in the system.
What are the types of hackers or hacking?
Hacking can be classified into many types; now, we shall discuss the five common types of hacking in detail.
White Hat Hackers – They are ethical hackers who have credentials or authority to breach the system to strengthen the security password and protect it from malicious hackers.
Black Hat Hackers – They are security crackers. These hackers illegally tend to steal confidential data or money by hacking individual credit card information.
Gray Hat Hackers – They lie between Black hat Hackers and White hat hackers. These types of hackers do not require permission to hack any system, but they have no intention of stealing money and damaging the system.
Blue Hat Hackers – Their job is to identify security holes or other vulnerabilities in the new programme and fix them before release.
Red Hat Hackers – These hackers are similar to white hackers. The objective of the red hat hackers is to prevent the black hat hackers’ assault.
So, you have the chance to break into computer systems using your knowledge, and you are well paid for it. As with many careers, getting started in this one is challenging, but if you put in the early, you can build a very successful career. In addition, law-abiding hackers are always ethical.
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Ethical hacking job opportunities
- Information Security Analyst.
- Security Analyst.
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
- Ethical Hacker.
- Security Consultant
- Information Security Manager.
- Penetration Tester.
So what does an ethical hacker do? Ethical hackers use their great computer knowledge for illegal activities to uncover vulnerabilities in the data security of organizations and businesses worldwide. This protects them from hackers who have less ethical motives.
10 Steps To Become An Ethical Hacker
Step 1: Get Hands-on LINUX/UNIX
The open-source LINUX/UNIX operating system ensures improved computer security. To become an ethical hacker, you need to be familiar with Linux since it is one of the most often used operating systems for hacking. It provides many tools for hackers. Only a few examples are Red Hat Linux, Ubuntu, Kali Linux, BackTrack, and other well-known Linux distributions.
Kali Linux is the most well-known Linux operating system designed exclusively for hacking.
Step 2: Choose the most powerful programming language
C is considered one of the primitive coding languages and is also known as the mother of all programming languages. Since this operating system was entirely created in C, knowing C will aid you in understanding and learning UNIX/LINUX quickly.
So, those who have intended to becoem an ethical hacker must understand the c scripting language. Therefore, hackers must learn C programming to completely leverage the open-source operating system Linux.
Moreover, you must master more than one programming language. So, hackers with a sound understanding of more than one programming language can analyze and examine a piece of code. The following are some of the top programming languages for hackers:
- Python: widely used for writing bugs
- JavaScript: JavaScript is effective for breaking into online apps.
- PHP: Aids in the defence against malicious attackers
- SQL: Best for breaking into massive databases
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Step 3: Learn how to mask your identity
Learning how to remain anonymous online and mask your identity is the most crucial stage in ethical hacking because it leaves no evidence behind and makes you impossible to track down.
Suppose a Black hat hacker discovers that there is another user in the network. In that case, they may attempt to attack that user’s system because ethical hackers are frequently unaware of who is using the same network.
Therefore, Anonymity is essential for ethical hackers as well. The three most promising methods for protecting your identity are Anonsurf, Proxychains, and MacChanger.
Step 4: Get Well-versed in Networking Concepts
An in-depth understanding of networking concepts and their features is crucial for ethical hackers. So, knowing all about networking and its protocols will help exploit or manipulate vulnerabilities. Moreover, ethical hackers must know networking tools like Nmap, Wireshark, and other programmes. Several significant networking ideas include:
- Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol Network
- Subnetting
- Network Masks and Classless Inter-Domain Routing
- Simple Network Management Protocol
- Server Message Block
Moreover, you understood the further important application like:
- Domain Name Service (DNS)
- Address Resolution Protocol
- Wireless Networks
- Bluetooth Networks
- Supervisory control and data acquisition Networks
- Automobile Networks (campus area network)
Step 5: Traverse the Hidden Web
The part of the internet that is hidden or not indexed in the search engine is termed a dark web. A specific credential or piece of software is necessary for access. The anonymous Tor browser is used to access the dark web. Despite being a stronghold for criminal activity, not all of it is prohibited on the dark web. Ethical hackers must also be aware of the dark web’s legitimate aspects.
Step 6: Add Cryptography Skills
Cryptography is still essential for securing information, preserving client privacy, and preventing cybercriminals from accessing private company data. Due to this, ethical hackers must have Cryptography skills.
Cryptography refers almost exclusively to “encryption”, which is the process of converting ordinary information into an unintelligible form. A necessary skill for ethical hackers is the ability to encrypt and decrypt data.
Information security uses encryption for several purposes, including verification, the integrity of information, confidentiality, and more. On a network, significant information will always be encrypted, including passwords. Hackers must have the skills necessary to recognize and decrypt encryption.
Step 7: Dive into the deep learning of hacking techniques
After mastering the above mention skills, you can move on to learn the in-depth concepts of hacking. The essential topics such as:
- IDS, IPS, Firewalls, and Honeypots
- penetration testing
- Wireless Networks Attacks
- SQL Injection Attacks
- Malware Attack
- Phishing Attack
- Password Attack
- Man-in-the-Middle Attack
- SQL Injection Attack
- Cryptojacking
When it comes to the hacking field, you should keep updating yourself on the current technology introduced in the hacking tools and security systems.
Step 8: Learn to scan the system for Vulnerabilities
Finding loopholes in the system is essential for every ethical hacker because it is their primary responsibility. So, learning how to scan the network or system will help you find weaknesses and protect against cyber attacks.
Ethical hackers may also attempt to identify and exploit their system’s vulnerabilities. Following are a few tools used by the Kali Linux operating system to identify vulnerabilities:
- Nessus Vulnerability Scanner: Help detect weaknesses in web-based applications and various systems.
- OpenVAS Vulnerability Scanner: With OpenVAS, you can execute vulnerability scanning on web-based applications, databases and networks. It can scan Vulnerability faster and more accurate.
- Nikto Vulnerability Scanner: The Nikto tool scans web-based applications and servers for potentially dangerous files. It can also identify other problems like port scanning, user registration, and outdated settings.
- Nmap Vulnerability Scanner: Using Nmap, you may locate online computers on a network. It can also discover open ports, banner detection, operating system information and various information about the network connection during the scan.
- Wapiti Vulnerability Scanner: Along with more common attack methods like SQL injection and cross-site scripting, Wapiti, another penetration testing tool, supports Gigabit Ethernet Tunneling and POST attacks.
Step 9:To master hacking, experiment, and practise
Though we acquire various skills, implementing knowledge will help you understand better. Ethical hackers must put their newly learned principles into practice in a variety of settings and circumstances. Check out different attacks, tools, and more.
Step 10: Participate in Discussions and Meet Professional Hackers
Create a community or sign up for forums to engage in conversations with other hackers to share information and collaborate. There are several communities on platforms, including Facebook, Telegram, and many other social media.
What Are the Phases of an Ethical Hacking Career?
You need to develop patience if you want to pursue a profession as an ethical hacker. Although it is unrealistic to anticipate landing a job with a position of extraordinarily high rank and earning high pay immediately, there is a great chance you can do both rapidly!
Starting Out
You must first gain knowledge and a Network or CCNA certification. The networking certification will portray that you have a fundamental understanding of networking, including administration, management, deployment, and troubleshooting.
The CCNA certification ensures the same abilities and helps you grow in your career.
Network Support
Once qualified, you can move on to the network support phase of your profession. You will perform tasks like monitoring and reporting, configuring security software, and testing for weaknesses.
Network Engineer
You will now be creating and managing networks rather than just supporting them after getting experience in network support. Now, you should focus on the security component as you progress toward being an ethical hacker. So, prepare for security certification, such as CISSP or TICSA.
Working in Information Security
This is the right time to step up the ladder to become an ethical hacker. An information security analyst’s main role is to protect the network and system security. Moreover, they will handle security violations and works to implement security solutions.
So, you should focus on penetration testing and have practical experience with some of the necessary tools. Your goal at this stage of your career should be to become a Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Ethical hacker role?
As you have started working as an ethical hacker, you’ll use all of your technical knowledge and security skills to try to compromise the network security of the company or organization that hired you. The business will want a full analysis of your results and ideas for strengthening its network security. These efforts shield them from the hacking activities of people with malicious and unlawful goals. You can expect an ethical hacker’s average salary is 3 to 4 lakh per year.
Now, you would have understood the ethical hacker roadmap, ethical hacking career and ethical hacking job opportunities. So, to learn more about hacking and its techniques, you can join the Ethical Hacking Course in Coimbatore, which will help you understand hacking tools, types of attacks and many other core concepts of hacking.