Understanding the Art of Ethical Hacking: Debunking Myths and Reality
A common question among teenagers and curious minds is, How did my 9th grade friends learn how to hack? The term hacking or the word hacker can be misleading as it can encompass ethical and criminal activities. However, laws and judicial systems have rightly moved towards punishing cybercrime harshly.
Understanding the Legalities of Cybercrime
In my country, France, the Article 323-1 du Code Pénal stipulates a two-year imprisonment for fraudulent access to a computer system. Most countries are increasing their abilities to fight cybercrime and enhance cyberdefense, making it increasingly difficult for cybercriminals to evade the law.
Is Your Friend a Cybercriminal?
It's important to recognize whether your friend's activities fall into the category of ethical hacking or malicious cyber activities. If your friend is engaging in criminal behavior, it's highly advisable not to follow his path. Engaging in cybercrime can result in significant legal repercussions, including imprisonment.
What Does it Really Mean to Be a Hacker?
A true hacker or ethical hacker is someone who is highly skilled in programming and system security. They are not just individuals who know a few programming languages but professionals who can solve complex problems using computers, akin to playing a cello professionally or being a medical doctor.
Learning Programming: A Long Journey
Programming requires a significant amount of work, motivation, and natural aptitude. Mastering programming is as challenging as becoming a professional musician or mathematician. According to studies, it takes about ten years of work from an apprentice to become proficient in programming. Even then, they might only create bad music or programs, respectively.
Script Kiddies vs. Ethical Hackers
Your friend might be a script kiddie, an individual who uses pre-written scripts or tools to exploit vulnerabilities without understanding the underlying techniques./script kiddie will likely not have the skills or knowledge to perform complex ethical hacking tasks.
Real Hacking: Not What You See in the Movies
Real hacking is far more intricate and time-consuming than depicted in movies. It involves breach preparation, identifying patterns, and using various techniques to gain unauthorized access. A real hack could take months or even years to complete. For instance, a recent hack I completed took almost eight months to execute, involving physical visits to a company and learning and utilizing other systems to gain access indirectly.
Ethical Hacking: A Complicated but Exciting Line of Work
Ethical hacking is a nuanced field that requires a blend of technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and a mindset to think like both a hacker and a defender. It can be quite thrilling as it involves elements of espionage and tactical planning, without the illegal connotations.
Entering the World of Ethical Hacking
If you are genuinely interested in ethical hacking, it's advisable to start by learning about penetration testing, which is synonymous with ethical hacking. YouTube offers numerous resources and tutorials that can guide you through the basics. Additionally, Kali Linux, a specialized Linux distribution, provides essential tools to get you started.
Disclaimer and Important Considerations
It's essential to emphasize that hacking without permission is illegal and can lead to severe legal troubles. All my hacking activities are conducted with explicit permission for security testing purposes. Unauthorized hacking is not only illegal but also unethical.