With cyber threats on the rise, the need to protect digital systems has never been greater. Ethical hackers, also known as white-hat hackers, help organisations find and fix vulnerabilities before real attackers can exploit them. Unlike criminal hackers, ethical hackers work under legal agreements and follow a well-defined process to test systems safely.
Here’s how they approach their work step by step.
1. Information Gathering
The first step is to gather as much information as possible about the target system or network. This stage is often called reconnaissance. Ethical hackers may use public sources, social media, or domain tools to learn about the organisation’s infrastructure. This helps them understand how the system is structured and where potential weak points may exist.
There are two main types of reconnaissance:
- Passive reconnaissance – observing without interacting with the system.
- Active reconnaissance – interacting directly, such as through port scanning.
The goal here is to build a clear picture of the system before taking any action.
2. Scanning and Analysis
Once enough information is collected, the next step is to analyse the system in more detail. Ethical hackers use scanning tools to detect open ports, active services, and system versions. This helps them identify possible vulnerabilities or misconfigurations that could be used in an attack.
Tools like Nmap, Nessus, and Nikto help in scanning networks, applications, and web servers. The information from this phase forms the basis for the testing that follows.
3. Exploitation (Safely)
This stage involves attempting to exploit the discovered vulnerabilities. The purpose is not to cause damage, but to demonstrate what could happen if a real attacker found the same issue. Ethical hackers may test things like:
- Gaining unauthorised access
- Bypassing login screens
- Injecting malicious code
Every action is carefully controlled and documented. This hands-on approach shows how serious the risks are and what needs to be fixed.
4. Maintaining Access
In real-world attacks, hackers often try to remain unnoticed. Ethical hackers mimic this by testing whether long-term access is possible. They might attempt to install a backdoor or simulate malware that allows them to return to the system later.
This helps organisations understand the full impact of a vulnerability and whether their systems are able to detect ongoing threats.
5. Clearing Tracks
Before finishing, ethical hackers clean up everything they’ve done. This includes removing any files, reversing changes made during testing, and restoring systems to their original state. It ensures that the organisation is not left vulnerable and that the environment is safe for normal use.
They create a detailed report outlining their findings, the testing methods used, and the actions they recommend.
Why Ethical Hacking Matters
Ethical hacking is a proactive way to improve security. It helps organisations:
- Discover risks before attackers do
- Improve their defences
- Build safer systems for users and customers
As cyber threats become more advanced, having ethical hackers on your team can make a real difference in preventing breaches and protecting data.
Learn Ethical Hacking with LSET
At the London School of Emerging Technology (LSET), students can develop practical skills in ethical hacking and cybersecurity. Our training helps students gain hands-on experience with real-world tools and techniques. Whether you’re starting a new career or adding security skills to your current role, LSET offers a supportive learning environment guided by industry professionals.