Ethical Hacking: How White Hat Hackers Protect Us From Cyber Attacks?
The word hacking was coined in the 1980s to illustrate the act of exploiting or ultimately stealing stored information using technological skills and knowledge. However, hacking has come a long way, and now with more sophisticated tools and technologies, hackers are more dangerous and prevalent than ever before.
It has become difficult for companies to protect vital information with websites, digital ecosystems, and data repositories. “To catch a criminal, you have to think like a criminal”, is a popular saying that best suits the hacking landscape. To protect the data from malicious attacks organizations employ ethical hackers who can think smartly like the malicious attackers.
Ethical hacking is the practice finds vulnerabilities in a system or network that can be exploited by Cyber Attacks. As hackers have become smarter and more persistent than ever before, it has become crucial for organizations to introduce cyber security. Some of the techniques used by ethical hackers to combat cyber threats are discussed below.
Penetration Testing- It is the cat of finding out potential exploits in the digital ecosystem before hackers can exploit them.
Network Scanning- It is used to find vulnerabilities in a network
SQL Injection- The act of inserting malicious code into a SQL database through a web application to grant access to private information to hackers.
Denial of Services- Testing the resilience of computer systems when they receive large amounts of traffic at the same time.
Vulnerability Assessments- The act of identifying software and hardware that can be exploited.
Black Hat & White Hat Hackers
Black hat hackers are often referred to as criminal hackers who exploit data for misuse where as white hat hackers are the ethical hackers who work to protect the valuable data from malicious attacks. However, black hat hackers can easily become white hat hackers with the right application and training.
What is Ethical Hacking?
Also known as white hat hacking, ethical hacking is an authorized or legal practice of purposely probing computer systems, networks, and applications to find potential vulnerabilities. The key function of ethical hacking is to spot and address security vulnerabilities that can be exploited by malicious hackers. It is done with explicit permission to improve security.
Ethical hackers use various tools and techniques to stimulate cyber attacks and access the security posture of the targeted system. These hackers also collaborate with IT organizations and security to fix the identified vulnerabilities and prevent unauthorized access.
Benefits of White Hat Hacking
There are numerous benefits of white hat hacking to an organization. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Proactive defense- Ethical hacking enables organizations to take a proactive approach to cyber security by finding potential risks before they can exploited by malicious attackers.
Improved security- By finding out the weaknesses and vulnerabilities, white hat hackers help organizations strengthen their security posture and protect valuable information from malicious attackers.
Reputation and reliance- When organizations invest in cyber security and work with white hat hackers to secure their data, they earn the trust of partners, customers, and stakeholders which can lead to a strong business reputation and increase in business.
The Role of White Hat Hackers in Cyber Security
These professionals play a pivotal role in protecting organizations against cyber attacks. They help organizations to find out vulnerabilities and weaknesses within networks, systems, and applications. By doing this they help organizations to strengthen their security system and protect sensitive data from being exploited.
One of the key responsibilities of white hat hackers is to perform penetration testing. It involves simulating real-world cyber attacks to evaluate the defense system. White hat hackers use different techniques to unveil vulnerabilities and get unauthorized access to systems. This act provides valuable insights on how to mitigate risks before malicious attackers exploit them.
They conduct thorough security assessments and audits to identify the areas for improvement. White hat hackers play a significant role in modern-day cyber defense strategies. They help organizations to stay ahead of malicious hackers by identifying vulnerabilities before they get exploited. Do check Ransomware Attacks: How Ethical Hackers Help In Prevention and Recovery
How to Become a White Hat Hacker?
If you have a passion for problem-solving and working against Cyber Attacks then white hat hacking can be the perfect career for you. To kick start a career in ethical hacking, it is crucial to develop a strong foundation in the computer science and cyber security realm.
Pursuing a degree in computer science or a related field will offer you the necessary technical skills and knowledge. Bachelor of Computer Application, BCA is a popular UG program in the computer science discipline. This program is best to offer you the right foundation for a career in ethical hacking.
The new age BCA course also includes diverse specializations that allow learners to gain expertise in a specific domain including cyber security, artificial intelligence, and data analytics.
The Best BCA College in Meerut, DDUMC offers BCA program with cyber security specialization. The course is designed to offer the fundamentals of computer applications along with a specialized focus on cyber security.
Famously known as IIMT Mall Road, DDUMC is one of the leading BCA Colleges in Meerut. The college is renowned for its world-class education and impeccable placements. BCA is one of the flagship courses offered at the college. The duration of the course is three years and six semesters. The course includes a robust curriculum that aligns with the needs and trends of the industry. Cyber security and artificial intelligence specializations are also available with the BCA program.
The college has also been awarded the title of the top BCA placement college in Meerut. Leading recruiters from all over the nation visit the college each year for placement drives. The success stories of DDUMC alumni are a testament to its quality education and excellent placements.
Pursuing a BCA in cyber security at DDUMC can be the finest decision to step into a career in ethical hacking, as the college is dedicated to preparing students for new heights in the digital realm.
FAQs
What is ethical hacking?
Ethical hacking is the practice of intentionally testing a computer or network to find vulnerabilities and solve them before they get exploited by malicious hackers.
What is the role of white hat hackers in an organization?
They perform vulnerability assessments and security audits to identify and fix vulnerabilities in a system, network, or application.
What are the common techniques used by white hat hackers?
Penetration testing, social engineering, network scanning, and SQL Injection are some of the common techniques used by white hat hackers.
