Ethical hacking methodologies refer to the systematic approach followed by ethical hackers to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in computer systems, networks, or applications. These methodologies ensure that the hacking activities are conducted in a responsible and legal manner, with the goal of improving the security of the target system.
1. Reconnaissance: This phase involves gathering information about the target system, such as IP addresses, domain names, network infrastructure, and employee details. It can be done through passive methods like searching online or active methods like network scanning.
2. Scanning: In this phase, the ethical hacker uses various tools and techniques to identify open ports, services, and vulnerabilities in the target system. This helps in understanding the potential attack vectors and entry points.
3. Enumeration: Here, the hacker tries to gather more detailed information about the target system, such as user accounts, network shares, system configurations, and software versions. This information helps in planning further attacks.
4. Vulnerability Assessment: The ethical hacker analyzes the vulnerabilities discovered during the scanning and enumeration phases. This involves using automated tools or manual techniques to assess the severity and potential impact of each vulnerability.
5. Exploitation: In this phase, the hacker attempts to exploit the identified vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access or control over the target system. The purpose is to demonstrate the potential impact of the vulnerabilities and provide recommendations for mitigation.
6. Post-Exploitation: After successful exploitation, the ethical hacker explores the compromised system to gather more information, escalate privileges, and maintain access for further analysis. This helps in understanding the extent of damage that could be caused by an actual attacker.
7. Reporting: Finally, the ethical hacker documents all the findings, including vulnerabilities, exploits, and recommendations, in a detailed report. This report is shared with the organization or individual who commissioned the ethical hacking activity, enabling them to take appropriate actions to improve their security posture.
It is important to note that ethical hacking methodologies strictly adhere to legal and ethical guidelines, ensuring that the hacking activities are conducted with proper authorization and consent from the system owners.