Cybersecurity
Ethical Hacking
Definition
Ethical hacking involves an authorized attempt to gain unauthorized access to a computer system, application, or data. Carrying out an ethical hack involves duplicating strategies and actions of malicious attackers.
Why It Matters
Ethical hacking, also known as penetration testing, is a proactive way to find and fix security vulnerabilities before malicious hackers can exploit them. It provides a real-world test of an organization's defenses.
Contextual Example
A certified ethical hacker is hired to test a company's security. They use the same tools and techniques as a criminal hacker, but with the company's permission, and provide a report of their findings.
Common Misunderstandings
- Ethical hackers are also known as "white hat" hackers, as opposed to "black hat" hackers who have malicious intent.
- The key difference is authorization. Ethical hacking is legal and done with permission; malicious hacking is a crime.