Ethical hacking refers to testing computer systems, networks, and applications of an organization so that vulnerabilities or misconfigurations can be identified proactively. It is a legal and sanctioned method that simulates malicious hacking techniques to uncover potential security weaknesses in an organization's infrastructure, with the goal of preventing cyberattacks and strengthening overall security defenses.
Authorized experts called “white-hat hackers” are hired to find weak spots before criminals can exploit them, using the same methods as malicious hackers. The only difference is that they work legally and with the owner’s permission to strengthen security.
Ethical hackers act as safety inspectors with specialized skills, such as coding and network analysis, who assess systems to identify vulnerabilities before real attackers can exploit them. With permission, they simulate controlled cyberattacks, like penetration tests, to uncover weak points in both technical defenses and business processes. This can include not only checking for unauthorized access but also testing for issues like data manipulation or process abuse, such as incorrect pricing on an e-commerce platform. Ethical hackers then provide actionable solutions to address these vulnerabilities, helping organizations protect valuable information, maintain the integrity of business operations, and meet industry standards.
While ethical hacker work with permission from the organizations they "attack," malicious hackers ("black-hat" hackers) break into systems without permission. What they look for is vulnerabilities, so that they can exploit the system for personal gain or money – sometimes even to simply cause destruction – which is highly illegal in most international jurisdictions.
Ethical hackers use their skills in exercises such as:
|
Aspect |
Ethical Hacking (White Hat) |
Malicious Hacking (Black Hat) |
|
Authorization |
Works with explicit permission and set boundaries. |
Acts without consent, most often illegally. |
|
Intentions |
To strengthen and protect systems. |
To steal, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access. |
|
Disclosure |
Reports issues so they can be fixed. |
Keeps or sells information for future attacks. |
|
Legality |
A lawful profession, with rules and agreements. |
Illegal activity with severe consequences. |
|
Methodology |
Uses a controlled and planned approach. |
Uses aggressive and unpredictable methods. |
Going deeper into our comparison, ethical hackers are considered today as key players in improving an organizations cyber posture - they help businesses and various organizations be prepared for real threats. Malicious hackers are also considered key players in the cybersecurity arena, but for the wrong reasons – they are the main cause of disruptions, they steal data, and they are a direct threat to companies’ reputations and finances. Their tactics (spreading malware, phishing, using ransomware, etc.) endanger the safety and availability of systems.
Ethical hacking must follow strict rules to stay legal. Hackers need clear permission from the system owners before they test anything, something that is usually written down in an agreement, and often referred to as a letter of authorisation. The document explains what can be tested, how the testing will be done, and how the results will be shared. They also ensure that the hackers operate within legal boundaries – such as the requirements specified in GDPR - General Data Protection Regulation (EU), HIPAA - Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (US), PCI-DSS - Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (global). Without this permission, even if the intention is good, the hacker could face fines or criminal charges.
Besides legal compliance, there is a “hacker ethics” code that includes:
Professional bodies like EC-Council, ISC2, and the SANS Institute and CREST provide ethical guidelines, certifications, and resources for ethical hackers. While organizations like EC-Council and ISC2 focus on individual training and certifications, CREST sets standards that apply to entire organizations, ensuring that ethical hacking practices are aligned with industry-recognized guidelines. These bodies help enforce professional and ethical standards, so ethical hackers operate according to best practices.
Ethical hackers have different methods in their arsenal to identify weak spots before attackers can exploit them but done in a way that follows legal and ethical rules. Let’s look at three of the most important techniques that ethical hackers use.
Reconnaissance (also called footprinting) is how ethical hackers begin gathering information about the target system. They use passive methods – that is, checking public sources (social media, websites, etc.), and active methods – for example, scanning networks with tools (like Nmap for example). Passive methods don’t involve any direct interaction with the target and are considered safe, while active methods, although provide more details, sometimes alert the target system. Both approaches are important for ethical hackers because they help them get a complete picture of the system's setup before the deeper analysis.
Ethical hackers use various tools (Nmap and Nessus) to find open ports, services, and other info about the network. The enumeration phase goes further – it gathers specific info like system usernames, shared files, and network resources. This helps hackers understand how the system is structured and where attackers might find entry points.
Under the “exploitation” term, the attempts to access the system are grouped using the info found in earlier stages. Ethical hackers might test the systems through:
In penetration testing, ethical hackers identify and assess vulnerabilities but do not focus on maintaining long-term access, as this testing is conducted openly with stakeholders. In contrast, a red team engagement, which is covert, might assess how long access can be maintained to test an organization’s detection and response capabilities. Ethical hackers use various tools, such as Metasploit, to conduct these tests, ultimately providing the organization with a detailed understanding of security weaknesses and actionable solutions to strengthen defenses.
There are multiple benefits from conducting proactive pen testing using ethical hackers:
Risk Mitigation
Through penetration tests and vulnerability assessments, ethical hackers find issues like old software, misconfigurations, and weak passwords. This information allows you to focus on the most critical areas and implement measures like software updates and access controls. This will protect against ransomware and more advanced attacks like zero-day exploits.
Compliance Requirements
Ethical hacking helps organizations meet compliance standards, such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, and newer regulations like the EU’s DORA. Regular testing ensures you protect sensitive data and industry regulations.
For example, PCI DSS requires annual penetration testing for payment data (or after significant changes), HIPAA requires healthcare providers to test system security, and DORA requires financial services to test ongoing.
Building Trust
Ethical hacking builds credibility. It shows customers and partners that the organization is serious about cybersecurity. Regular assessments demonstrate a commitment to high security standards, crucial for businesses managing sensitive financial or healthcare data.
There are many tools ethical hackers use to find vulnerabilities and test systems, each for specific purposes, such as:
Here are some examples of open-source tools that ethical hackers commonly use for learning, practice, and understanding vulnerabilities:
Metasploit - a penetration testing framework for exploiting vulnerabilities and gaining access to systems.
Burp Suite - a suite for testing web application security (including intercepting proxy, scanner, and intruder).
Nmap - a network scanner (used for host discovery, port scanning, service and OS detection, and vulnerability scanning).
OWASP ZAP - a web application security scanner for vulnerabilities like SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), broken authentication, etc.
John the Ripper - a fast password cracker (uses various techniques - dictionary attacks, brute-force, rainbow tables, etc.).
Wireshark - a network protocol analyzer (captures and inspects network traffic).
Nikto - a web server scanner that checks outdated server software, dangerous files/CGIs, and other security issues.
Aircrack-ng - a suite for Wi-Fi network security (including monitoring, attacking, testing, and cracking).
Ethical hacking is part of various career paths, and there is a growing need for this type of specialist. For example, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for Information Security Analysts, a common title for ethical hackers, will grow by 33% by 2033, much faster than the average. Entry-level yearly salaries for ethical hackers in the U.S. start at around $60,000, while experienced professionals earn, on average, $120,000 or more.
For an entry-level role (in positions such as Junior Penetration Tester, Security Analyst, IT Security Specialist, Vulnerability Assessor, etc.), a solid understanding of networks, operating systems, and security tools is required, as well as some hands-on experience.
With experience, professionals can move into advanced roles like Senior Penetration Tester, Red Team Specialist, Security Engineer, Computer Crime Investigator, etc.
To become an ethical hacker, knowledge, hands-on experience and industry-recognized certifications are equally important, and this might seem overwhelming for a beginner. Here's a possible roadmap to get you to a dream job:
1. Knowledge
2. Hands-on Practice
3. Certifications
4. Stay Updated
New threats are emerging all the time, so keep learning by following online resources, reading security blogs, and attending conferences.
Bitdefender has a range of tools to help you with ethical hacking so you can find and fix security vulnerabilities before they find you. Our solutions cover the entire ethical hacking process, from assessment to ongoing monitoring and validation.
If you want to simulate real attacks, our Offensive Security Services offer expert-led penetration testing and red teaming exercises led by CREST-accredited professionals. These services will find hidden weaknesses so you can harden your defenses before the bad guys do.
To keep visibility between these engagements, GravityZone Risk Management will continuously monitor your security posture in real-time, prioritize vulnerabilities, and guide remediation based on the latest threat intelligence.
GravityZone XDR (Extended Detection and Response) brings together data from endpoints, networks and cloud environments for advanced threat detection and automated response. It will validate new security controls and find any remaining gaps to be addressed.
For organizations that want to simulate advanced attacks, Bitdefender Advanced Threat Intelligence provides the latest data. This will help ethical hackers create more realistic scenarios to improve overall assessment quality.
If they follow professional standards, ethical hackers should be trustworthy. That means they follow the laws and professional codes of conduct and that they have signed agreements to keep confidential any information they find. For organizations that can’t trust an ethical hacker - hire only teams certified by reputable bodies with proven track records. Ethical hackers should always be watched closely to make sure everything is done securely and according to best practices.
While one doesn’t need coding skills to start ethical hacking, they do become increasingly important as one advances. Ethical hackers who code understand systems at a deeper level and what this means is that they can write custom scripts, automate tasks, and uncover vulnerabilities that pre-made tools might overlook. Without coding skills, an ethical hacker's capabilities will always be considered limited in regard to the complex issues of the trade.
Most experts would probably agree that it is rather hard to do ethical hacking and that is because it requires in-depth knowledge of computers, networks and software. It also requires critical thinking and empathy to be able to think like an attacker. Advanced ethical hackers need programming and excellent vulnerability detection skills. So, in short, ethical hacking requires more than basic skills and is a career path in which continuous learning and a high level of professionalism are mandatory.