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Ethical hacking, also known as penetration testing, is the practice of probing systems and networks to identify vulnerabilities with permission from the owner.
Unlike malicious hackers, ethical hackers aim to improve security by finding and fixing weaknesses before they can be exploited. They operate under a strict code of ethics, ensuring that their actions are legal and authorised.
Ethical guidelines include obtaining explicit consent, reporting all findings responsibly, and ensuring that no harm is done to the system or its users.
Ethical hackers must respect privacy and confidentiality, only accessing data necessary for the assessment.
The EC-Council’s Code of Ethics provides a comprehensive outline of these principles.
Ethical hacking, also known as “white-hat” hacking, involves authorized and legitimate testing of computer systems, networks, and applications to identify and fix security vulnerabilities. Ethical hackers work with the permission of the system owner to strengthen security and protect against potential breaches. In contrast, malicious hacking, or “black-hat” hacking, is unauthorized and illegal. Black-hat hackers exploit vulnerabilities for personal gain, causing harm by stealing data, spreading malware, or disrupting services.
Ethical hackers follow strict guidelines to ensure their actions are legal and beneficial. Key ethical guidelines include:
1. **Authorization:** Ethical hackers must obtain explicit permission from the system owner before conducting any testing.
2. **Scope:** They should clearly define the scope of their activities to avoid unintended consequences or accessing unauthorized systems.
3. **Confidentiality:** Sensitive data encountered during testing must be kept confidential and not used for personal gain.
4. **Reporting:** Ethical hackers must report all identified vulnerabilities to the system owner promptly, along with recommendations for mitigation.
5. **Non-disruption:** Testing should be conducted in a way that minimizes disruption to the system’s regular operations.
By adhering to these guidelines, ethical hackers help organizations improve their security posture, reducing the risk of malicious attacks.