Different Types of Ethical Hacking with Examples


Become Ethical Hacker

Companies can now test their network security using ethical hacking to see if they are susceptible to attacks from malicious hackers. This is done by having a group of hackers tries to break into the company's network, analyzing those attempts, and then figuring out where the system is vulnerable.

There are many different ethical hacking techniques, from black box penetration testing to white box penetration testing. In terms of cyber security, each type of hacking has benefits and drawbacks. Therefore, it's crucial to comprehend the variations before deciding which one suits your needs best.


We will discuss each type of cyber security hacking in detail in this article so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.

Why Do We Need Ethical Hacking, and What Is It?

A computer system or network is tested using ethical hacking, also referred to as white hat hacking, in order to determine its security and attack vulnerabilities. But why is ethical hacking necessary? To find the vulnerabilities in your systems and patch them up before malicious hackers do, ethical hacking is essential.

Although it may seem obvious to you, many businesses fail to implement this vital step in their security protocols until they have already been compromised. Fixing system bugs before they are used against you is much simpler (and less expensive) than doing so afterward.


Penetration testing and vulnerability scanning are frequent components of ethical hacking, which assists businesses in identifying security flaws that criminals may use against them. These tests are typically carried out by knowledgeable computer experts who wish to help strengthen a system's defenses against actual threats rather than maliciously trying to break into it.


What are the Values and Fundamental Principles of Ethical Hacking?

The necessity of ethical hacking stems from its role in defending networks against online attacks. A specific kind of penetration testing called "ethical hacking" is carried out for security reasons.


The three main purposes of ethical hacking are as follows:

It helps you identify every weak spot in your network so you can patch it up right away before it is used by hackers or criminals.

By putting in place robust security measures, it strengthens the security of your network by identifying its weak spots.

Additionally, it aids in educating staff members on cybersecurity issues so they won't fall victim to phishing scams or other attacks.

However, you must first comprehend the three fundamental principles of ethical hacking in order to become one. Ethical hacking is based on three key ideas:

1. Scanning

The target network, its components, and their current configurations are identified through scanning. This data can be used to find security holes and decide what kind of ethical hacking attack will be most effective on a given device.

2. Numbering

Enumeration is the process of gathering data on the target network, including usernames and passwords, for use in a later phase of an attack.

3. Extraction

Exploitation is the process of using a device's weakness to gain access to confidential information or control over it.

Take a quick look at the CEH certification training course right now for a more thorough understanding!

If you are searching for a free resource to learn Ethical Hacking, check out Ethical Hacking Tutorial on Tutorials Freak. It’s helpful for beginners and experienced developers as it covers a wide range of topics from basic to advanced, all about Ethical Hacking.

What Kinds of Ethical Hacking Are There?

Testing the security of a company's computer systems through ethical hacking is a difficult process that calls for a variety of abilities, methods, and techniques. In terms of cyber security procedures, there are several types of hacking:

Black-box testing

In black-box testing, the hacker is testing the software from outside the system before entering it using a brute force method. This means that the hacker has no prior knowledge of the system. You might not be aware of the type of server a website is running on or the programming languages that were used to create it, for instance, if you were testing a website.

This type of hacking, which is used to find security gaps in a network or system that an attacker could exploit, is frequently regarded as one of the most dangerous types of hacking in cyber security. They obtain private information, such as credit card numbers or bank account information, illegally, and sell it or use it for fraudulent or illegal activities like identity theft.

Black box testing, for instance, can be used to verify a user's login, view their account details, modify their password, and log out. To create such a test, the tester would not need to be aware of how it is accomplished in the application's code.

White box testing 

In white box testing, the hacker thoroughly understands the system's functionality and weak points before attempting to break in. Developers frequently use white-box testing to test the resilience of their systems before releasing them into production settings where potential attackers may try to compromise them.

They closely collaborate with IT departments and adhere to corporate guidelines so they can learn what is happening internally without breaking the law. They also make sure that no one tampers with the system used by their employer.

White-box testing techniques include things like statement coverage, data-flow analysis, code inspections, and design reviews.

Grey-box testing 

In this hybrid of white-box and black-box testing, the tester has some but not complete knowledge of the system, so they must use their technical knowledge and deductive reasoning abilities to identify vulnerabilities in the system or network under test.

Gray hats sometimes use their skills for both good and evil ends, such as creating computer viruses to steal money from banks or other businesses (which means they could be considered black hats).

Examples of gray-box testing can be found in fields like:

  • Tests of usability
  • Efficiency Tests
  • Safety checks

This method aids in your comprehension of how well your application will function in actual settings, which can be essential for successful development.

4. Hacking of web applications

Exploiting security flaws or weaknesses in web-based applications is a type of web application hacking. Although they can be written in other languages like PHP and Ruby on Rails, web applications are typically written in languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It is possible to carry out specific actions on a website without being actually authorized because of the nature of these languages and how web browsers interpret them.

Cross-site scripting (XSS), which entails inserting malicious code into a website's HTML, is one illustration of this. Without knowing the user's username or password, you can hijack the browser's session with the server by properly crafting an XSS attack.

5. Wireless Network Hacking

Hacking wireless networks entail gaining unauthorized access to a computer network, frequently by taking advantage of security flaws in the system.

An excellent illustration of this is the practice of "wardriving," in which an attacker drives around looking for unprotected or inadequately protected networks while using a laptop or other device capable of picking up wireless signals.

Also read: Ethical Hacking Career: A Career Guideline For Ethical Hacker

Happy Learning!

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