How to Become an Ethical Hacker?

What is ethical hacking?

Hacking is the unauthorized use of someone's private computer or their social networks. The word "hacking" gradually became synonymous with the term "cybercriminal" due to its illegal portrayal in the mainstream media. Ethical hacking means practicing and using hacking without any malicious intent. Ethical hackers do not harm or misuse information, rather they help companies, government organizations and private sectors that are vulnerable. Since ethical hackers use the same tools and techniques as intruders, it is essential to know how to become an ethical hacker through legal means.

Here are the steps to becoming an ethical hacker:

• 1.  Gain a strong foundation in computer science and networking.   This includes courses in programming, data structures, algorithms, operating systems and networking. You can also gain experience by participating in online hackathons and other hacking challenges.
• 2.  Learn about ethical hacking methods and tools.   With the variety of ethical hacking frameworks and tools available, it's important to do your research and choose the one that's right for you. You can also attend conferences and meetups to learn from other ethical hackers.
• 3.  Experience Hacking  The best way to learn ethical hacking is to actually hack. With the owner's permission, you can launch virtual machines and hack live systems. There are also many ethical hacking labs available online that you can use to practice your skills.
• 4. Receive  certificate.   Many ethical hacking certification programs are available such as Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP). Earning a certification allows you to prove your skills to potential employers and clients.
• 5.   Make a portfolio of your work.   As you gain experience, start building hacking portfolios. This may include documenting hacking challenges, screenshots of findings, presenting research at conferences, etc.
• 6.  Network with other ethical hackers.   There are many online and offline forums of ethical hackers where you can learn from others and share your knowledge. Attending conferences and meetups is a great way to meet and connect with other ethical hackers.
• 7.  Join the ethical hacking community.   There are many ways to get involved in the ethical hacking community. Contribute to open source projects, write blog posts and articles about ethical hacking, or volunteer your time to help others learn ethical hacking.

Types of hackers:

What would you do if you had access to the data of everyone in the world and the ability to use their information? It is important to know how to become an ethical hacker and draw a line between hacking and information misuse. Since it completely depends on a person's intention how to use the data, the topic of ethical hacking and even the choice to be an ethical hacker is considered controversial. There is no sorting hat that determines the category a hacker will fall into, but their own intent and will comes into play.

 Let's take a look at the different types of hackers:

1. Black hat hackers: They are the evil villains you see in movies. These hackers are highly skilled and use their skills to misuse information, illegally enter foreign systems or steal valuable information for personal interests or monetary purposes.
2. White Hat Hackers: These people use their potential in an ethical way or to fight against the 'Matrix'. They work in the Department of Homeland Security to help solve and investigate crimes. They legally enter a company's system to identify weaknesses and bugs and improve the security framework.
3. Gray Hat Hackers: These people are – as the name suggests – in the gray area of ​​hacking. They are the guardians of society. They are often called "hacktivists" and use information like black hat hackers, but without any malicious intent. These people provide justice to the people and punish criminals by operating outside the legal zone and without the consent of the people.