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Hacker vs Hacker
17 January 2012
For beginners, ethical hackers are basically company-hired experts whose job is to perform tasks on computer networks the same way a typical hacker would. Though this type of hackers may use the same strategies, tactics, and techniques used by unlawful hackers,ethical hackingis considered legal. The end result of breaching a corporate system is to arrive at the best defence against computer network and data intrusion. In other words, ethical hacking is done as a pre-emptive measure against the occurrence of cybercrimes that may jeopardize the stability of a corporate organization.
Computer Network Litmus Test
Hiring a hacker is like running a litmus test to test the strength of a companys computer network security system. The solidity of a certain security system cannot be proven unless tested by someone who actual knows how to breach it. Thoroughly testing the stability of a security system, though, is often a difficult task even for an experienced IT team. In spite of their skills, training, and experience, they usually fail to really ring out the durability of the security system for they lack what true illegal hackers have: malicious motive. The theory is one must examine the possible flaws and vulnerability of a corporate security system through the lens of an illicit hacker. This explains why illegal hackers that are caught by authorities often end up working with the system either voluntarily or otherwise. Remember that Filipino hacker who has been rumoured to be hired by the Pentagon?
White Hat Hackers
Despite the negative connotation associated with hackers, ethical hacking is a far different thing. This type of hacking can only be done when the company explicitly permits the hacker to carry out the task. Ethical hackers are usually hired when the security system of the company is under sieged by illegal hackers. To distinguished ethical hacking from its illegal counterpart, the term white what ethical hacker is often used in referring to good guy hackers. The term or nickname originated from white hat-wearing good guy cowboys seen in Old Westerns back in the day.
Legal Agreement
The agreement between an ethical hacker and a certain company is sealed through a legally binding contract. This type of contract provides the parameter and authorizes the testing of the system. Appropriately referred to as the Get Out Of Jail Free Card, the contract protects the anonymous hired hacker from prosecution and serious legal charges such as felony. The agreement terms found in the contract is what legitimizes hacking as a legal occupation.
Ethical Hacking
So how does an ethical or white hat hacker operate? The hacker is expected to systematically exhaust all means to uncover the vulnerabilities of a security system. Though the list of security system flaws that the hacker might provide is essential, what concerns the company more are the instructions on how to effectively eliminate these flaws to make the system more impregnable. The aim of ethical hacking is to determine three essential pieces of information about illegal hackers. First, the ethical hacker should identify what type of information does an illegal hacker is trying to gains access to, Second, there is a need to explore what the illegal hackers would do to the information once they get hold of them. Finally, the white hat hacker must also ascertain if whether the security system is efficient enough in alerting staff members and employees about a break-in no matter if it is successful or otherwise.
It Makes a Lot of Sense
Before, companies would usually shake off the idea of hiring, for lack of better terms, a criminal to catch and prevent criminals from breaking in to their system. As years go by, though, a lot of people began to understand the advantage and significance of white hat hacking. In fact, a lot of companies in the past have been, albeit informally or unofficially, employing testing techniques of which concept are not unlike that of hacking. One good example is the safety tests performed by vehicle manufacturers to gauge the quality of their products.
Ethical Hacker Training
Ethical hacking though requires training. Apart from the technical aspect of the training, education also includes learning the ethics needed in the profession for hackers are like double-edged sword. Having the security information of your company exposed to hackers can be very risky. This is why a system of checks and balances must be employed to ensure that things will not go out of hand. Hiring people who have undergone a thorough ethical hacker training is extremely vital for the good of the company as a whole. In short, in an age when most corporate systems are integrated to each other via a vast computer networks, employing a certified white hat hatter is a given. Ethical hacking is no doubt the best defence against fraudulent attempts aimed to tamper with the sensitive security system of giant corporate organizations.
Computer Network Litmus Test
Hiring a hacker is like running a litmus test to test the strength of a companys computer network security system. The solidity of a certain security system cannot be proven unless tested by someone who actual knows how to breach it. Thoroughly testing the stability of a security system, though, is often a difficult task even for an experienced IT team. In spite of their skills, training, and experience, they usually fail to really ring out the durability of the security system for they lack what true illegal hackers have: malicious motive. The theory is one must examine the possible flaws and vulnerability of a corporate security system through the lens of an illicit hacker. This explains why illegal hackers that are caught by authorities often end up working with the system either voluntarily or otherwise. Remember that Filipino hacker who has been rumoured to be hired by the Pentagon?
White Hat Hackers
Despite the negative connotation associated with hackers, ethical hacking is a far different thing. This type of hacking can only be done when the company explicitly permits the hacker to carry out the task. Ethical hackers are usually hired when the security system of the company is under sieged by illegal hackers. To distinguished ethical hacking from its illegal counterpart, the term white what ethical hacker is often used in referring to good guy hackers. The term or nickname originated from white hat-wearing good guy cowboys seen in Old Westerns back in the day.
Legal Agreement
The agreement between an ethical hacker and a certain company is sealed through a legally binding contract. This type of contract provides the parameter and authorizes the testing of the system. Appropriately referred to as the Get Out Of Jail Free Card, the contract protects the anonymous hired hacker from prosecution and serious legal charges such as felony. The agreement terms found in the contract is what legitimizes hacking as a legal occupation.
Ethical Hacking
So how does an ethical or white hat hacker operate? The hacker is expected to systematically exhaust all means to uncover the vulnerabilities of a security system. Though the list of security system flaws that the hacker might provide is essential, what concerns the company more are the instructions on how to effectively eliminate these flaws to make the system more impregnable. The aim of ethical hacking is to determine three essential pieces of information about illegal hackers. First, the ethical hacker should identify what type of information does an illegal hacker is trying to gains access to, Second, there is a need to explore what the illegal hackers would do to the information once they get hold of them. Finally, the white hat hacker must also ascertain if whether the security system is efficient enough in alerting staff members and employees about a break-in no matter if it is successful or otherwise.
It Makes a Lot of Sense
Before, companies would usually shake off the idea of hiring, for lack of better terms, a criminal to catch and prevent criminals from breaking in to their system. As years go by, though, a lot of people began to understand the advantage and significance of white hat hacking. In fact, a lot of companies in the past have been, albeit informally or unofficially, employing testing techniques of which concept are not unlike that of hacking. One good example is the safety tests performed by vehicle manufacturers to gauge the quality of their products.
Ethical Hacker Training
Ethical hacking though requires training. Apart from the technical aspect of the training, education also includes learning the ethics needed in the profession for hackers are like double-edged sword. Having the security information of your company exposed to hackers can be very risky. This is why a system of checks and balances must be employed to ensure that things will not go out of hand. Hiring people who have undergone a thorough ethical hacker training is extremely vital for the good of the company as a whole. In short, in an age when most corporate systems are integrated to each other via a vast computer networks, employing a certified white hat hatter is a given. Ethical hacking is no doubt the best defence against fraudulent attempts aimed to tamper with the sensitive security system of giant corporate organizations.
