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An Introduction to Ethical Hacking

  • Mar 7, 2018

Ethical hacking is a form of legal hacking done with the permission of an organization to help increase its security. In this sample chapter from Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) Version 9 Cert Guide, 2nd Edition, explore the fundamental principles of the security triad—confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

This chapter is from the book

This chapter is from the book

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) Version 9 Cert Guide, 2nd EditionCertified Ethical Hacker (CEH) Version 9 Cert Guide, 2nd Edition

Learn More Buy

This chapter is from the book

This chapter is from the book

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) Version 9 Cert Guide, 2nd EditionCertified Ethical Hacker (CEH) Version 9 Cert Guide, 2nd Edition

Learn More Buy

This chapter covers the following topics:

  • Security Fundamentals: You need to understand the security triad—confidentiality, integrity, and availability—because they form the basis on which all security is built.

  • Security Testing: It is important to realize that ethical hackers differ from hackers in that ethical hackers perform activities only after obtaining written permission from the client that different types of tests can be performed.

  • Hacker and Cracker Descriptions: Hackers can be known by many names. You should know these and what motivates various types of hacking attacks.

  • Ethical Hackers: Ethical hackers perform security tests to strengthen the organization for which they work. You need to know the standards by which they work to perform their jobs ethically and effectively.

  • Test Plans—Keeping It Legal: Test plans and deliverables usually include reports and data that detail the types of vulnerabilities discovered.

  • Ethics and Legality: Knowledge of the legal environment is critical because you must ensure and maintain proper legal standing. In the United States, federal laws 18 U.S. Code Sections 1029 and 1030 are two such laws.

This chapter introduces you to the world of ethical hacking. Ethical hacking is a form of legal hacking done with the permission of an organization to help increase its security. This chapter discusses many of the business aspects of penetration (pen) testing. How should a pen test be performed, what types can be performed, what the legal requirements are, and what type of report should be delivered are all basic items that you need to know before you perform any type of security testing. However, first, you need to review some security basics. That’s right, as my mom always said, “You must walk before you can run!” This chapter starts with a discussion of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Next, it moves on to the subject of risk analysis, and it finishes up with the history of hacking and a discussion of some of the pertinent laws.

CAUTION

Nothing contained in this book is intended to teach or encourage the use of security tools or methodologies for illegal or unethical purposes. Always act in a responsible manner. Make sure you have written permission from the proper individuals before you use any of the tools or techniques described in this book. Always obtain permission before installing any security tools on a network.

“Do I Know This Already?” Quiz

The “Do I Know This Already?” quiz allows you to assess whether you should read this entire chapter thoroughly or jump to the “Exam Preparation Tasks” section. If you are in doubt about your answers to these questions or your own assessment of your knowledge of the topics, read the entire chapter. Table 1-1 lists the major headings in this chapter and their corresponding “Do I Know This Already?” quiz questions. You can find the answers in Appendix A, “Answers to the ‘Do I Know This Already?’ Quizzes and Review Questions.”

Table 1-1 “Do I Know This Already?” Section-to-Question Mapping

Foundation Topics Section

Questions

Security Fundamentals

1

Security Testing

8–10

Hacker and Cracker Descriptions

3, 4, 7

Ethical Hackers

5

Test Plans–Keeping It Legal

6

Ethics and Legality

2

CAUTION

The goal of self-assessment is to gauge your mastery of the topics in this chapter. If you do not know the answer to a question or are only partially sure of the answer, you should mark that question as wrong for purposes of the self-assessment. Giving yourself credit for an answer you incorrectly guess skews your self-assessment results and might provide you with a false sense of security.

  1. What are the three main tenants of security?

    1. Confidentiality, integrity, and availability

    2. Authorization, authentication, and accountability

    3. Deter, delay, and detect

    4. Acquire, authenticate, and analyze

  2. Which of the following laws pertains to accountability for public companies relating to financial information?

    1. FISMA

    2. SOX

    3. 18 U.S.C. 1029

    4. 18 U.S.C. 1030

  3. Which type of testing occurs when individuals know the entire layout of the network?

    1. Black box

    2. Gray box

    3. White box

    4. Blind testing

  4. Which type of testing occurs when you have no knowledge of the network?

    1. Black box

    2. Gray box

    3. White box

    4. Blind testing

  5. Which form of testing occurs when insiders are not informed of the pending test?

    1. Black box

    2. Gray box

    3. White box

    4. Blind testing

  6. How is ethical hacking different from simple hacking?

    1. Ethical hackers never launch exploits.

    2. Ethical hackers have written permission.

    3. Ethical hackers act with malice.

    4. Ethical hackers have permission.

  7. Which type of hacker is considered a good guy?

    1. White hat

    2. Gray hat

    3. Black hat

    4. Suicide hacker

  8. Which type of hacker is considered unethical?

    1. White hat

    2. Gray hat

    3. Black hat

    4. Brown hat

  9. Which type of hacker will carry out an attack even if the result could be a very long prison term?

    1. White hat

    2. Gray hat

    3. Black hat

    4. Suicide hacker

  10. Which type of hacker performs both ethical and unethical activities?

    1. White hat

    2. Gray hat

    3. Black hat

    4. Suicide hacker

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