Top 10 Ethical Hacking Tools and Software

Ethical hacking, also known as "white hat" hacking, refers to the practice of using hacking techniques and tools to identify and fix security vulnerabilities in computer systems, networks, and applications. The goal of ethical hacking is to help organizations improve their security by identifying and addressing potential weaknesses before they can be exploited by malicious hackers.

The role of an ethical hacker is to simulate real-world attacks and attempt to exploit vulnerabilities in a controlled and safe environment by identifying weaknesses and recommending fixes. If you are also fascinated by ethical hacking and want to become an ethical hacker, you can pursue a BCA Degree in Cloud Computing and Ethical Hacking. To be a part of this community one can enroll themselves in the various ethical hacking courses available online or even at some traditional training institutions. 

What is the definition of Ethical hacking?

An authorised attempt to gain unauthorised access to a computer system, application, or data is referred to as ethical hacking. To carry out an ethical hack, the hacker duplicates the strategies and actions of malicious attackers. This practice aids in the detection of security flaws, which can then be addressed before a malicious attacker can exploit them. All these actions take place with the permission and knowledge of the system owner. There are various ethical hacking tools available online that can be utilized for hacking. 

Ethical hackers typically work for cybersecurity companies, consulting firms, or as independent contractors hired by organizations to test their security defenses.

Top 10 Ethical Hacking Tools

Ethical hacking tools are essential for any cybersecurity professional, as they help identify vulnerabilities in computer systems to improve security. These ethical hacking tools are available either in open-source form (freeware or shareware) or in commercial solutions.

Below we have listed the Top 10 ethical hacking tools and their workings to give you a rough idea about how ethical hacking works- 

Metasploit Framework: It is a penetration testing tool that allows you to find vulnerabilities and test the effectiveness of your security measures.

Here is the general overview of how the Metasploit Framework works:

              Step 1- Discovery and Scanning of vulnerabilities.

              Step 2- Exploitation of the vulnerability identified. 

              Step 3- Payload code executed to gain remote access to the system.

              Step 4- Post-exploitation.

              Step 5- Covering Tracks.

Nmap: Nmap is a network scanner that helps you identify hosts and services on a network.

Here is the general overview of how Nmap works:

• Step 1- Scanning and discovering active hosts on a network.
• Step 2- Port Scanning. 
• Step 3- Identifying service running and OS Detection.
• Step 4- Vulnerability Scanning.
• Step 5- Output analysis and Reporting.

Wireshark: It is a network protocol analyzer that allows you to capture and analyze network traffic.

Here is the general overview of how Wireshark works:

• Step 1- Network Traffic Capture.
• Step 2- Protocol Decoding. 
• Step 3- Packet Filtering.
• Step 4- Protocol Analysis
• Step 5- Visualization and Reporting.

John the Ripper: It is a password-cracking tool that can be used to test password strength and security.

Here are the general steps involved in working with John the Ripper-

• Step 1- Password Hash Extraction
• Step 2- Password Hash Analysis
• Step 3- Wordlist Generation
• Step 4- Password Cracking
• Step 5- Password Recovery

Burp Suite: Burp Suite is a web application testing tool that allows you to intercept and manipulate web traffic.

Here are the general steps involved in working with Burp Suite-

• Step 1- Intercepting Proxy
• Step 2- Vulnerability Scanning
• Step 3- Use the Intruder tool to automate attacks.
• Step 4- Repeater tool to modify and replay requests to the server.
• Step 5- Reporting.

SQLmap: This tool allows you to automate SQL injection detection and exploitation.

Here is the general overview of how SQLmap works:

• Step 1- Scanning for Vulnerabilities
• Step 2- Exploiting Vulnerabilities
• Step 3- Automated Exploitation
• Step 4- Customizable Attacks
• Step 5- Customizable Attacks

Aircrack-ng: It is a network security tool that can be used for wireless security testing.

Here is the general overview of how Aircrack-ng works:

• Step 1- Capturing Network Traffic
• Step 2- Identifying Target Network
• Step 3- Cracking Password
• Step 4- Decrypting Packets

Hydra: A brute force password cracking tool that can be used to test password strength and security.

Here is the general overview of how Hydra works:

• Step 1- Choosing Target Protocol
• Step 2- Specifying Usernames and Passwords
• Step 3- Configuring Brute-Force Options
• Step 4- Starting the Attack
• Step 5- Reporting Results

Maltego: It is a data mining tool that can be used for reconnaissance and information gathering.

Here is the general overview of how Maltego works:

• Step 1- Collecting Data
• Step 2- Analyzing Data
• Step 3- Mapping Data
• Step 4- Investigating Leads
• Step 5- Reporting Findings

Social-Engineer Toolkit (SET): SET tool can be used for social engineering attacks, such as phishing and spear phishing.

Here is the general overview of how the Social-Engineer Toolkit (SET) works:

• Step 1- Choosing Attack Vector
• Step 2- Creating Payloads
• Step 3- Customizing Attack
• Step 4- Launching the attack
• Step 5- Reporting results

Each of these tools has its unique features, and they can be used to detect and analyze potential threats, as well as repair and protect computer systems. 

Other Ethical Hacking Toolkits

An ethical hacking toolkit refers to a collection of tools and software that are used by cybersecurity professionals and ethical hackers to assess the security posture of a system or network. Here are some essential tools that can be included in an ethical hacking toolkit:

• Kali Linux: It is a popular Linux distribution that includes a vast collection of pre-installed tools for penetration testing, digital forensics, and ethical hacking.

• Snort: It is a network intrusion detection system that monitors network traffic for suspicious activity.

• Nikto: It is a web server scanner that can be used to identify potential vulnerabilities in web servers.

• OpenVAS: It is a vulnerability scanner that can be used to assess the security of a system or network.

• Hashcat: It is a password-cracking tool that can be used to crack various password types.

What is the importance of Hacking software?

Ethical Hacking software, when used ethically and with permission, can be an important tool for assessing and improving the security of computer systems and networks. Here are some reasons why hacking software is important:

• Ethical Hacking software can be used to identify potential weaknesses and vulnerabilities in computer systems and networks, which can then be addressed and fixed to improve security.

• By using hacking software, security professionals can assess the security posture of a system or network and identify areas that may need additional security measures or improvements.

• Ethical Hacking software can be used to test the effectiveness of security measures, such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems, in detecting and preventing attacks.

• By using hacking software to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses, security professionals can implement appropriate security measures to protect against attacks from malicious actors.

• Many organizations are required to meet certain compliance standards, such as PCI DSS or HIPAA. Hacking software can be used to test compliance with these standards and identify areas that need improvement.

What does the ethical hacking course syllabus include?

The syllabus for an ethical hacking course can vary depending on the specific program and level of study, but generally, a course in ethical hacking may cover the following topics:

• Introduction to Ethical Hacking: Introduction to hacking and ethical hacking, hacking types, hacking phases, ethics, and legality of hacking.

• Footprinting and Reconnaissance: Footprinting, information gathering, and reconnaissance techniques, passive and active information gathering.

• Scanning Networks: Network scanning, identifying live hosts, port scanning, vulnerability scanning, and network mapping.

• Enumeration: Enumeration techniques, NetBIOS and SMB enumeration, SNMP enumeration, LDAP enumeration, DNS enumeration.

• System Hacking: System hacking techniques, password cracking, buffer overflow attacks, rootkits, and privilege escalation.

• Malware Threats: Types of malware, virus, Trojans, worms, and rootkits, virus analysis, and detection techniques.

• Sniffing: Sniffing techniques, ARP poisoning, DNS spoofing, sniffing tools, SSL sniffing.

• Social Engineering: Social engineering techniques, phishing attacks, spear phishing, impersonation attacks, pretexting, tailgating, and dumpster diving.

• Web Application Hacking: Web application vulnerabilities, web application attacks, injection attacks, Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF), and file inclusion attacks.

• Wireless Network Hacking: Wireless network security, types of wireless attacks, WPA/WPA2 cracking, rogue access points, and wireless sniffing.

• Cryptography: Cryptography fundamentals, symmetric and asymmetric encryption, hash functions, and digital certificates.

• Penetration Testing: Penetration testing, methodology, tools, vulnerability assessment, reporting and documentation, and remediation.

• Cybersecurity Laws and Regulations: Introduction to cybersecurity laws and regulations, information security management standards, and legal and regulatory frameworks.

Case Studies and Practical Labs: Hands-on practice and real-world case studies of ethical hacking, performing penetration testing and vulnerability assessment on real-world scenarios.

The above topics provide a general overview of what is covered in an ethical hacking course syllabus. The level of depth and detail covered may vary depending on the course and the level of study.

What are the skills required to become an ethical hacker?

To become an ethical hacker in India, you need to have a combination of technical skills, soft skills, and relevant certifications. Here are some skills and certifications that are required:

• Technical skills: Ethical hacking requires a strong understanding of computer systems, networks, and security. You should have a solid understanding of operating systems, programming languages, network protocols, and security tools. You should also have experience working with security testing and vulnerability scanning tools.

• Soft skills: In addition to technical skills, ethical hackers need to have good communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and attention to detail. You should be able to communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, work well in a team, and be adaptable to changing environments.

• Certifications: Several certifications can help you to demonstrate your expertise in ethical hacking. Some of the most popular certifications in India include:

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) from the International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants (EC-Council)
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) from the International
• Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC)²
• Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) from Offensive Security
• CompTIA Security+ from CompTIA

These certifications require passing a comprehensive exam that tests your knowledge and skills in ethical hacking and information security.

In addition to these skills and certifications, it's important to gain practical experience in ethical hacking through internships, volunteer work, or personal projects. Building a strong network of professionals in the field can also help find job opportunities and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in ethical hacking.

Applications and Scope of Ethical Hacking 

The scope of ethical hacking is wide-ranging, as it plays a crucial role in securing computer systems, networks, and digital assets from malicious attacks. Here are some applications and scope of ethical hacking:

• Ethical hacking is used to assess the security posture of computer systems, networks, and applications. By identifying vulnerabilities and security weaknesses, organizations can take necessary steps to prevent cyber-attacks and improve their security infrastructure.

• Ethical hackers conduct penetration testing to simulate real-world attacks on systems and networks. By identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities, they can help organizations to understand how their systems would react to a real attack and how to improve their defenses.

• In case of a security incident, ethical hackers can help organizations investigate and identify the cause of the incident, mitigate its impact, and prevent future incidents from occurring.

• Ethical hackers can conduct awareness programs to educate employees on cybersecurity risks, best practices, and security measures to avoid security breaches and attacks.

• Ethical hackers can conduct forensic analysis to investigate security incidents and collect digital evidence, which can be used in legal proceedings.

The scope of ethical hacking is constantly evolving as new technologies and threats emerge. Ethical hackers must stay up-to-date with the latest threats, tools, and techniques to remain effective. The demand for ethical hackers is increasing in industries such as banking, healthcare, government, and IT, making it a promising career option.

General Eligibility Criteria for various Ethical hacking courses

The eligibility criteria for admission to ethical hacking courses may vary depending on the institute or university offering the course. However, here are some general eligibility criteria for ethical hacking courses:

Educational Qualification: Generally, a candidate should have completed their 10+2 education from a recognized board with a minimum percentage requirement of 50-60% in subjects like Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science.

Technical Skills: Candidates should have a basic understanding of computer systems, networks, and programming languages. Some institutes may also require candidates to have prior knowledge of specific programming languages, such as C, C++, Java, or Python.

Age Criteria: There may be a minimum and maximum age limit for admission to ethical hacking courses. Some institutes may require candidates to be at least 18 years old.

Relevant Certifications: Some institutes may require candidates to have relevant certifications, such as Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) or CompTIA Security+, to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in ethical hacking.

Work Experience: Some institutes may require candidates to have prior work experience in the field of IT or cybersecurity.

It's essential to check the eligibility criteria of the specific course and institute before applying for admission. Additionally, having a strong portfolio of personal projects or work experience in the field can increase your chances of getting admission to ethical hacking courses.

Top colleges offering Cloud computing and Ethical hacking programs

There are several colleges and universities in India that offer ethical hacking courses, both at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Here are some of the best colleges in India offering ethical hacking courses:

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi: IIT Delhi offers a postgraduate-level course in cybersecurity and digital forensics that covers topics such as ethical hacking, network security, and cryptography.

Course Level	Professional Certificate Program
Course Duration	6 months
Average Fees	1,18,000/-

Amity University, Noida: Amity University offers a B.Tech program in cybersecurity that covers ethical hacking, cybersecurity laws, and digital forensics. The program also includes hands-on training in security tools and techniques.

Course Level	B.Tech Program
Course Duration	4 years
Average Fees	1- 2 lakhs per annum

Institute of Information Security, Mumbai: The Institute of Information Security offers certification courses in ethical hacking and cybersecurity, including the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certifications.

Course Level	Professional Certificate Program
Course Duration	4-6 months
Average Fees	INR 1,000-6,000

Symbiosis Centre for Information Technology (SCIT), Pune: SCIT offers a two-year postgraduate program in information security management that covers topics such as ethical hacking, network security, and digital forensics.

Course Level	Postgraduate Program
Course Duration	2 years
Average Fees	1-2 Lakhs per annum

National Institute of Technology (NIT) Surathkal: NIT Surathkal offers a postgraduate program in information security that covers ethical hacking, cryptography, and cybercrime investigation.

Course Level	MCA Program
Course Duration	2 years
Average Fees	80k- 90k per annum

Lovely Professional University (LPU), Punjab: LPU offers a B.Tech program in cybersecurity that covers ethical hacking, digital forensics, and security testing. The program also includes hands-on training in security tools and techniques.

Course Level	B.Tech Program
Course Duration	4 years
Average Fees	1-2 Lakhs per annum

Salary Stats for Ethical Hackers in India

• Entry-level Ethical Hackers: The starting salary of an ethical hacker in India with less than a year of experience can range from INR 2.5 to 5 lakhs per annum.

• Mid-level Ethical Hackers: Ethical hackers with 2-5 years of experience can earn an average salary of INR 6 to 12 lakhs per annum.

• Senior-level Ethical Hackers: Senior ethical hackers with more than 5 years of experience can earn an average salary of INR 12 to 25 lakhs per annum.

• Ethical Hacking Consultants: Ethical hacking consultants can earn higher salaries than in-house ethical hackers. The average salary of ethical hacking consultants in India can range from INR 15 to 40 lakhs per annum.

• Industry and Location: The salary of an ethical hacker can also vary depending on the industry and location. The IT and cybersecurity industries generally pay higher salaries to ethical hackers. Cities like Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi offer higher salaries compared to other cities in India.

Conclusion 

Ethical hacking requires a strong understanding of cybersecurity, networking, and programming. The BCA course in ethical hacking provided by various academic organizations will provide you a foundational knowledge of all the essential areas beforehand. Sunstone is a higher education services provider that can help you learn the necessary skills and techniques to become an ethical hacker. Sunstone provides you assistance in learning from expert faculty (ex-IIMs, IITs). 

FAQ - Ethical Hacking Tools and Software

What do ethical hackers learn first?

Ethical hackers typically start their learning journey by gaining a solid understanding of the fundamentals of computer systems and networks. This includes learning about computer hardware, operating systems, networking protocols, and common software applications.

What are the various stages of hacking?

Various stages of ethical hacking are-

• Reconnaissance
• Scanning 
• Gaining access 
• Maintaining access 
• Covering Tracks 

What is a firewall?

A firewall is a security device or software that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on a set of predefined security rules. The primary function of a firewall is to block unauthorized access to a computer or network while allowing legitimate traffic to pass through.