The realm of ethical hacking or penetration testing has witnessed a drastic change with the advent of automated tools. Currently, several tools that can accelerate the process of testing are being developed. Ethical hacking helps organizations in better protecting their information and systems. It is also one of the best methods to augment the skills of security professionals of an organization. Making ethical hacking a part of the security efforts of an organization can prove to be exceptionally helpful. Show
1. Nmap (Network Mapper)Used in port scanning, one of the phases in ethical hacking, is the finest hacking tool ever. Primarily a command-line tool, it was then developed for operating systems based on Linux or Unix, and the windows version of Nmap is now available. Nmap is basically a network security mapper capable of discovering services and hosts on a network, thereby creating a network map. This software offers several features that help in probing computer networks, host discovery as well as detection of operating systems. Being script extensible it provides advanced vulnerability detection and can also adapt to network conditions such as congestion and latency while scanning. Also Read: Top Network Security Certifications and How to Choose the Right One for You 2. NessusThe next ethical hacking tool on the list is Nessus. Nessus is the world’s most well-known vulnerability scanner, which was designed by tenable network security. It is free and is chiefly recommended for non-enterprise usage. This network-vulnerability scanner efficiently finds critical bugs on any given system. Nessus can detect the following vulnerabilities:
3. NiktoNikto is a web scanner that scans and tests several web servers for identifying software that is outdated, dangerous CGIs or files, and other problems. It is capable of performing server-specific as well as generic checks and prints by capturing the received cookies. It is a free, open-source tool, which checks version-specific problems across 270 servers and identifies default programs and files. Here are some of the chief features of Nikto:
4. KismetThis is the best ethical hacking tool used for testing wireless networks and hacking of wireless LAN or wardriving. It passively identifies networks and collects packets and detects non-beaconing and hidden networks with the help of data traffic. Kismet is basically a sniffer and wireless-network detector that works with other wireless cards and supports raw-monitoring mode. Basic features of Kismet include the following:
5. NetStumblerThis is also an ethical hacking tool that is used to prevent wardriving, which works on operating systems based on windows. It is capable of detecting IEEE 902.11g, 802, and 802.11b networks. A newer version of this called MiniStumbler is now available. The NetStumbler ethical hacking tool has the following uses:
6. AcunetixThis ethical hacking tool is fully automated, detecting and reporting on more than 4500 web vulnerabilities, including every variant of XSS and SQL Injection. Acunetix fully supports JavaScript, HTML5, and single-page applications so you can audit complex authenticated applications. Basic features include:
7. NetsparkerIf you want a tool that mimics how hackers work, you want Netsparker. This tool identifies vulnerabilities in web APIs and web applications such as cross-site scripting and SQL Injection. Features include:
8. IntruderThis tool is a completely automated scanner that searches for cybersecurity weaknesses, explains the risks found, and helps address them. Intruder takes on much of the heavy lifting in vulnerability management and offers over 9000 security checks. Features included:
Also Read: Introduction to Cyber Security 9. NmapNmap is an open-source security and port scanner, as well as a network exploration tool. It works for single hosts and large networks alike. Cybersecurity experts can use Nmap for network inventory, monitoring host and service uptime, and managing service upgrade schedules. Among its features:
10. MetasploitThe Metasploit Framework is open-source, and Metasploit Pro is a commercial offering, with a 14-day free trial. Metasploit is geared towards penetration testing, and ethical hackers can develop and execute exploit codes against remote targets. The features include:
11. Aircrack-NgWireless network use is rising, so it’s becoming more important to keep Wi-Fi secure. Aircrack-Ng offers ethical hackers an array of command-line tools that check and evaluate Wi-Fi network security. Aircrack-Ng is dedicated to activities such as attacking, monitoring, testing, and cracking. The tool supports Windows, OS X, Linux, eComStation, 2Free BSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, and Solaris. Among its features:
12. WiresharkWireshark is a great tool for analyzing data packets and can also perform deep inspections of a large number of established protocols. You can export analysis results to many different file formats like CSV, PostScript, Plaintext, and XML. Features:
13. OpenVASThe Open Vulnerability Assessment Scanner is a fully featured tool performs authenticated and unauthenticated testing and performance tuning. It is geared towards large-scale scans. OpenVAS has the capabilities of various high and low-level Internet and industrial protocols, backed up by a robust internal programming language. 14. SQLMapSQLMap is an open-source tool that automates detecting and exploiting SQL Injection flaws and taking control of database servers. You can use it to connect directly with specific databases. SQLMap completely supports a half-dozen SQL injection techniques (Boolean-based blind, error-based, stacked queries, time-based blind, UNION query-based, and out-of-band). SQLMap’s features include:
Also Read: Why Businesses Need Ethical Hackers? 15. EttercapEttercap is a free tool that is best suited for creating custom plug-ins. Among its features:
16. MaltegoMaltego is a tool dedicated to link analysis and data mining. It comes in four forms: The free Community version, Maltego CE; Maltego Classic, which costs $999; Maltego XL, costing $1999, and the server products like Comms, CTAS, and ITDS, starting at $40000. Maltego is best suited to working with very large graphs. Its features include:
17. Burp SuiteThis security-testing tool comes in three price tiers: Community edition (free), Professional edition (starting at $399 per user/per year), and Enterprise edition (starting at $3999/year). Burp Suite distinguishes itself as a web vulnerability scanner. Its features include:
18. John the RipperThis free tool is ideal for password cracking. It was created to detect weak UNIX passwords, and can be used on DOS, Windows, and Open VMS. Features:
19. Angry IP ScannerThis is a free tool for scanning IP addresses and ports, though it’s unclear what it’s so angry about. You can use this scanner on the Internet or your local network, and supports Windows, MacOS, and Linux. Noted features:
20. SolarWinds Security Event ManagerSolarWinds emphasizes computer security improvement, automatically detecting threats and monitoring security policies. You can easily keep track of your log files and get instant alerts should anything suspicious happen. Features include:
21. Traceroute NGTraceroute focuses on network path analysis. It can identify host names, packet loss, and IP addresses, providing accurate analysis via command line interface. Features include:
22. LiveActionThis is one of the best ethical hacking tools available today. Used in conjunction with LiveAction packet intelligence, it can diagnose network issues more effectively and faster. Among its top features:
23. QualysGuardIf you want a hacker security tool that checks vulnerabilities in online cloud systems, look no further. QualysGuard lets businesses streamline their compliance and security solutions, incorporating security into digital transformation initiatives. Top features:
24. WebInspectWebInspect is an automated dynamic testing tool that’s well-suited for ethical hacking operations. It offers hackers a dynamic comprehensive analysis of complex web applications and services. Its features include:
25. HashcatPassword cracking is a big part of ethical hacking, and Hashcat is a robust cracking tool. It can help ethical hackers audit password security, retrieve lost passwords, and discover the data stored in a hash. Notable features include:
26. L0phtCrackThis is a password recovery and audit tool that can identify and assess password vulnerabilities over local networks and machines. Features:
27. Rainbow CrackHere’s another entry in the password-cracking category. It employs rainbow tables to crack hashes, employing a time-memory tradeoff algorithm to accomplish it. Its features include:
28. IKECrackIKECrack is an authentication cracking tool with the bonus of being open source. This tool is designed to conduct dictionary or brute-force attacks. IKECrack enjoys a solid reputation for successfully running cryptography tasks. Its features include:
29. SboxrSBoxr is another open source hacking tool that emphasizes vulnerability testing. It has a favorable reputation as a customizable tool that lets hackers create their own custom security scanners. Its main features include:
30. MedusaMedusa is one of the best online speedy, brute-force parallel password crackers tools out there for ethical hackers. Features:
31. Cain and AbelCain and Abel is a tool used to recover passwords for the Microsoft Operating System. It uncovers password fields, sniffs networks, recovers MS Access passwords, and cracks encrypted passwords using brute-force, dictionary, and cryptanalysis attacks. 32. ZenmapThis open source application is the official Nmap Security Scanner software, and is multi-platform. Zenmap is ideal for any level of experience, from newbies to experienced hackers. Among its features:
Are either individuals or members of a larger group of outsider attackers who are motivated by social or political cause?Are either individuals working as insiders, or members of a larger group of outsider attackers, who are motivated by social or political causes. They are also known as hacktivists, and their skill level may be quite low.
Which approach to IDS involves an attempt to define a set of rules or attack patterns that can be used to decide if a given behavior is that of an intruder?Profile based: A profile of the activity of each user is developed and used to detect changes in the behavior of individual accounts. 2. Rule-based detection: Involves an attempt to define a set of rules that can be used to decide that a given behavior is that of an intruder.
What is responsible for determining if an intrusion has occurred?+ Analyzer: receiving input from one or more sensors, responsible for determining if an intrusion has occurred. The output of this component is an indication that an intrusion has occurred and may include evidence supporting the conclusion that an intrusion has occurred.
Is a security event that constitutes a security incident in which an intruder gains access to a system without having authorization to do so?Definition(s): A security event, or a combination of multiple security events, that constitutes a security incident in which an intruder gains, or attempts to gain, access to a system or system resource without having authorization to do so.
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