Becoming an Ethical Hacker is a thrilling and rewarding career. Any device that employs digital technology has the potential to be hacked, including your automobile, thermostats, garage door systems, security lockers, and any other smart home equipment. That is why Ethical Hackers are so valued and capable of assisting any sector.

Everyone has to keep their businesses, software, and devices secure, and Ethical Hackers uncover the weakest spots so that businesses can address the flaws.

But how does one become a Ethical Hacker? And what competencies should you be working on right now?

In this article, you will understand How to learn Ethical Hacking step by step in 2023 and make a lucrative career.

What Is Ethical Hacking?

The action of hacking is described as identifying and exploiting a series of security flaws in a target system. Ethical hacking differentiates from hacking by including a critical component in the process - permission. The inclusion of approval in this procedure has two purposes. -

It is a legal activity.

Because the Ethical Hacker obtains authorization before breaking into a system, it is legally ensured that they do not have evil intent. This is accomplished by having agreements that legally obligate them to improve the business's security.

Why Is Ethical Hacking Important?

Data has evolved into a valuable resource. As a result, data confidentiality and integrity protection have risen in importance. In essence, this makes ethical hacking critical today.

Every business has a digital-facing aspect, and the internet is a medium for brand management, online marketing, and sales. As a result, every endpoint that provides the channel is potentially vulnerable.

Moreover, hackers of the present era have proved themselves to be brilliant minds when it comes to getting into a system. Organization requires someone who thinks along the same lines as the malicious hacker. Several malware outages have resulted in millions of dollars in losses. These occurrences have served as a wake-up call to organizations worldwide, prompting them to reconsider the relevance of ethical hacking.

Apart from the technical skills required to become an ethical hacker, language skills are essential as well. Duolingo is a popular language-learning platform that has gained widespread recognition over the years. The app offers users the ability to learn several languages using gamification techniques, even offline.

With Duolingo leagues, users can compete with each other to improve their language skills, adding a competitive element to language learning.

How to Learn Ethical Hacking Step By Step in 2023?

Following are the steps to learn ethical hacking in 2023:

Step 1: Gain Experience With LINUX/UNIX

As an Ethical Hacker, you should be familiar with LINUX because it is one of the most used operating systems for hacking. It gives a plethora of tools for hackers. Some eminent operating systems are Red Hat Linux, BackTrack, Ubuntu, and Kali Linux. Hackers can use the Kali Linux system specifically designed for hacking.

You must improve your ethical hacking knowledge. We’d recommend you join Introduction to Ethical Hacking course. The course will help you learn the essential skills and become an Ethical Hacker in 2023.

Step 2: Learn How to Program

This step is critical in the journey to learn ethical hacking. It is more important to grasp programming ideas than programming languages. If you understand how something is developed, you can identify its loopholes.

Here are some programming languages you should consider learning:

HTML: While not directly related to hacking, HTML will introduce you to the fundamentals of what the web is founded on, and it's an excellent beginner language for those who want to make something visible quickly with a high tolerance for errors. CSS would be an excellent addition to make those web pages pop.

PHP: PHP enables you to transform your web apps from dull static websites into slick back-end powered workhorses. You'll be able to develop helpful applications for data storage and much more. A significant benefit of language is that you can simply deploy a PHP application and gain a bit greater error tolerance.

Python: Python is a multipurpose language that hackers can use to create a script swiftly. Python is multi-platform, which implies it will operate on any operating system that supports it, yet it is significantly faster than other languages like Java. It's also less stringent for the end-users but compels them to keep their code clean and understandable via its structure.

Step 3: Learn the Skill of Operating Anonymously

The most critical step in ethical hacking is to understand how to stay private and cover your web presence so that no trail is left and no one can track you down. Often, an Ethical Hacker does not know who other people are on the network. If a malicious hacker discovers somebody's presence on the network, they can attempt to attack their system. Thus, anonymity is essential for Ethical Hackers as well.

Step 4: Become Familiar with Networking Concepts

Ethical Hackers must understand networking ideas and how they are generated. You can exploit vulnerabilities by learning about different networks and protocols. An Ethical Hacker who is well-versed in networking technology can solve practical issues. Some key networking fundamentals are:

TCP/IP Network

SCADA Networks

Network Masks and CIDR

Simple Network Management Protocol

Subnetting

Address Resolution Protocol

Domain Name Service

Bluetooth Networks

Automobile Networks

Server Message Block

Wireless Networks

Step 5: Explore Dark Web

This internet domain remains hidden or is not visible to search engines. It needs permission or software for access to the dark web. An unidentified browser called Tor can provide access to the dark web. It is the epicenter of unlawful activity. Ethical Hackers must know about the dark web and how it works.

Step 6: Learn Cryptography Skillset

Encryption and decryption are essential skills in hacking. Encryption is used in a variety of elements of information security, including authentication, data integrity, secrecy, and others. Passwords and other sensitive information are always encoded on a network. An Ethical Hacker must understand how to recognize and crack encryption.

Step 7: Examine Vulnerabilities

Vulnerabilities are flaws or loopholes in the system. Learn how to evaluate systems and networks for vulnerabilities that result in a security breach. Ethical Hackers can also inscribe their weaknesses and harm the system. The following are some vulnerability detection tools included in the Kali Linux operating system:

Vulnerability Scanner Nessus: Detects vulnerabilities in online applications and various systems.

Nikto Vulnerability Scanner: Detects web server vulnerabilities.

Wapiti Vulnerability Scanner: Detects online application vulnerabilities.

OpenVAS Vulnerability Scanner: Detects vulnerabilities on network devices.

Step 8: Explore and Practice Master Hacking

The keys to progress in the world of hacking are practice and experimentation. Ethical Hackers must use what they've learned in different situations and contexts. Experiment with various assaults, tools, and other features.

Step 9: Take Part in Hacking Challenges

Participating in hacking challenges can help you learn more and polish your skills. Several businesses hold these contests to test the security of their software solutions. The most prominent hacking task is to penetrate the software security mechanism and get access to third-party computer systems.

Step 10: Keep Learning

Consistent learning is the key to thriving in a hacking profession. Reading hacking blogs, the latest newspaper articles, and engaging in forums are excellent ways to update your hacking expertise. Online video forums are excellent places to learn more about evolving hacking tactics and technology.

Conclusion

To begin your ethical hacking journey, you must comprehend what to learn to become a hacker. Have a solid understanding of information technology, including programming languages, operating systems, systems administration, networking, and security. Once you've mastered the principles of information technology, you can move on to learning about specialized hacking methodologies.

If you aspire to be part of a thrilling and rewarding job, Great Learning’s free ethical hacking courses can help you become a certified Ethical Hacker. Experience world-class learning at your own pace, and live interactive sessions and hands-on experience make learning fun. Enroll now and arm yourself with the right skills and tools to safeguard your networks.