Introduction
In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, staying one step ahead of malicious actors is of utmost importance. Ethical hackers, also known as white hat hackers, play a crucial role in identifying vulnerabilities in systems and networks to protect them from cyber threats. The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification, version 12 (v12), is a globally recognized credential that equips professionals with the skills and knowledge required to excel in ethical hacking. Part of the CEH v12 curriculum includes learning about various tools that can be used to test and secure systems. In this blog, we’ll explore the top CEH v12 tools that are covered in ethical hacking training.
Nmap
Network Mapper, or Nmap, is a powerful open-source tool used for network discovery and security auditing. It can scan and map network hosts, discover open ports, and even determine the services running on those ports. Ethical hackers often use Nmap to assess the vulnerability of a network and identify potential entry points for attackers.
Wireshark
Wireshark is a widely used network protocol analyzer that allows ethical hackers to capture and inspect network traffic. It helps in identifying suspicious or malicious network activities, as well as vulnerabilities in network protocols. Wireshark is an essential tool for analyzing packets and understanding how data flows through a network.
Burp Suite
Burp Suite is a popular web application security testing tool that is crucial for identifying vulnerabilities in web applications. Ethical hackers use Burp Suite to perform tasks like scanning for web vulnerabilities, crawling websites, and intercepting and modifying web traffic. It is especially useful for finding security flaws such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and more.
Metasploit
Metasploit is a powerful penetration testing framework that comes with a vast array of exploits, payloads, and modules. Ethical hackers can use Metasploit to simulate real-world cyberattacks, test systems for vulnerabilities, and gain unauthorized access to vulnerable systems (with proper authorization). It is a versatile tool for demonstrating the impact of security weaknesses.
Hydra
Hydra is a fast and flexible password-cracking tool that is often employed by ethical hackers to perform brute-force and dictionary attacks. It can attempt to crack passwords for various services, including SSH, FTP, HTTP, RDP, and more. Ethical hackers use Hydra to test the strength of passwords and assess the overall security of systems.
Nikto
Nikto is a web server scanner that focuses on identifying potential security issues in web servers and web applications. It performs various checks for known vulnerabilities, outdated software, and misconfigurations. Nikto helps ethical hackers ensure that web servers and applications are properly secured against common threats.
Aircrack-ng
Aircrack-ng is a suite of tools used for testing and cracking wireless network security. Ethical hackers employ Aircrack-ng to assess the security of Wi-Fi networks, detect weak encryption, and test the strength of wireless passwords. It is an invaluable tool for securing wireless networks against unauthorized access.
Cain and Abel
Cain and Abel is a Windows-based password recovery and decryption tool. Ethical hackers can use it to recover passwords stored on a system, sniff network traffic for credentials, and perform various cryptographic attacks. Cain and Abel can help identify weak password policies and improve overall system security.
John the Ripper
John the Ripper is a widely password-cracking tool known for its speed and efficiency. It can crack various password hashes using different attack modes, including dictionary attacks and brute force. Ethical hackers use John the Ripper to assess the strength of password hashes and recommend stronger password policies.
Netcat
Netcat, often referred to as the “Swiss Army knife” of networking, is a versatile networking utility that can be used for a variety of tasks. Ethical hackers use Netcat for port scanning, banner grabbing, creating reverse shells, and establishing network connections for various purposes during penetration tests.
Conclusion
The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) v12 certification equips professionals with the knowledge and skills to identify and mitigate cybersecurity threats. The tools mentioned in this blog are just a glimpse of what CEH v12 covers. Ethical hackers rely on these tools to simulate attacks, identify vulnerabilities, and ultimately secure systems and networks. By mastering these tools, ethical hackers play a crucial role in safeguarding the digital world from cyber threats, making it a safer place for all.
