Shh… do you hear that? You don’t need to listen closely to hear the buzz around the world of coding. Everyone wants to know how to become an ethical hacker as well as about the geniuses known as ethical hackers. But what makes Ethical hacking different from hacking? How is Ethical hacking not illegal like hacking?
Not to mention the people asking about ethical hacking as a career (straight to the money talk huh?)
But one simply cannot do a proper introduction to ethical hacking without telling the difference between hacking and ethical hacking.
So what is the difference and is there even a difference?
Short answer: Technically yes
Long answer: Let’s start by understanding the basics of both
Hacking isn’t typically related to hijacking Google with just a press of a button. There’s way more to it than that meets the eye.
Hacking is related to the legal or illegal practice of breaking into a system and access the data stored in them. Hacking is performed by experts and professionals known as hackers.
Hackers are firstly highly trained in programming languages. Secondly, they possess knowledge about the concepts of hacking. And finally, they are experts in finding the vulnerabilities in a system. They especially look for the mistakes left unchecked while developing.
Hackers use these loopholes to disrupt the security framework of a system and gain access.
If there was only one sentence for introduction to ethical hacking, it would be:
“Ethical hacking is hacking but completely legal”
Why?
Ethical hacking is conducted by hackers as well but without any malicious intent. Furthermore, it is usually performed with the consent of the authorities. So technically, ethical hackers are hackers just without the goal relating to spying on someone’s browsing history.
One of the major job roles of an ethical hacker is to break into a system’s security software, report the vulnerabilities and improve the security. This results in the prevention of any possible security threats to the system in the future.
Also known as white hat hackers, ethical hackers are responsible to defend the system against unethical hackers or black hat hackers.
The major difference is the intent behind each. It is also the major reason behind the former typically considered illegal and the latter as legal.
The reason why ethical hacking is considered legal is that it is done to improve the security of a system. The logic behind it being, if a white hat hacker can hack into a system then even a black hat can.
This makes almost every organisation hire ethical hackers. As a result, it makes ethical hacking as a career an amazing choice.
If you wish to become an ethical hacker, you need to know the three most common hacking techniques:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8_AyYBSdcE
The above video taken at the AIBC Summit will help you understand the importance of ethical hackers. Not only are they required in the financial industries but also in Artificial Intelligence, gaming, block chain, and many more.
As per the research conducted by Microsoft, an average company loses about $3.8 million. Moreover, cybercrime has the potential to cost global communities a whopping $500 billion!
In addition to the above statement, the digital world has been on a rise. As a result, more and more devices surround us. Each of those devices is a potential target for black hat hackers.
A good look around you is enough to know about the importance of ethical hacking. And whether or not you wish to become an ethical hacker.
Ethical hackers also play a vital in maintaining the security of an organisation in the cyber-space. They detect and prevent breaches that can leak valuable information like financials. They are even responsible for protection against security threats.
For this reason, ethical hackers have a lot of importance in today’s world.
By now you know that black hat hackers are the pirates sailing in the world of codes. But there are many types of black hat hackers that you should be aware of.
Finally, let us now take a look at the objectives of a black hat and a white hat hacker. This will help you better understand the difference between hacking and ethical hacking.
Explore this tech world with young mentors. Sign up for the MyCaptain Ethical Hacking Workshop!