Dim Dim

The Hacker's toolkit Even armed with knowledge, resourcefulness, and just the right amount of stubborn perseverance, the hacker still needs a certain set of physical tools to conduct an attack. However, hacking does not have to be an expensive profession or hobby. Most of the software tools that a hacker needs can be obtained freely because they are open-source products. Nor does a hacker need thousands of dollars in high-powered computing equipment - for most attacks, a simple laptop or desktop computer with a reasonable amount of memory, storage, and processor speed will suffice. Over the decades, hackers have become notorious for accomplishing a great deal on relatively low budgets. Although each individual will need to decide for themselves what combination of hardware and software they need for their particular goals, this chapter will serve as a guide to help understand what different options are available and preferred in the hacking community. Operating Sys...

How to become professional hacker ? Hackers have a reputation for being highly intelligent individuals and prodigious in many ways. It can therefore seem to be an overwhelming and uphill task to start from scratch and reach any level of practical proficiency. One must remember that everyone must start somewhere when learning a subject or skill. With dedication and perseverance, it is possible to go as far in the world of hacking as your will can take you. One thing that will help in the process of becoming a hacker is to set some goals. Ask yourself why you want to learn hacking and what you intend to accomplish. Some just want to learn the basics so they can understand how to protect themselves, their family, or their business from malicious attacks. Others are looking to set themselves up for a career in white-hat hacking or information security. Whatever your reasons, you should prepare to learn quite a bit of new knowledge and skills. Learning The most import...

Hacking Vulnerability and Exploits The essence of hacking is the exploitation of flaws in the security of a computer, device, software component, or network. These flaws are known as vulnerabilities. The goal of the hacker is to discover the vulnerabilities in a system that will give them the easiest access or control that serves their purposes. Once the vulnerabilities are understood, exploitation of those vulnerabilities can begin, whereby the hacker takes advantage of the system flaws to gain access. Generally, black hat and white hat hackers intend to exploit the vulnerabilities, albeit for different purposes, where gray hats will attempt to notify the owner so that action can be taken to protect the system.  Vulnerabilities Vulnerabilities in computing and network systems always have and always will exist. No system can be made 100% airtight because someone will always need to be able to access the information or services being protected. Moreover, the presenc...

What is Hacking ? It is important to lay the groundwork for a proper introduction to computer hacking by first discussing some commonly used terms and to clear up any ambiguities with regard to their meanings. Computer professionals and serious hobbyists tend to use a lot of jargon that has evolved over the years in what had traditionally been a very closed and exclusive clique. It isn’t always clear what certain terms mean without an understanding of the context in which they developed. Although by no means a complete lexicon, this chapter introduces some of the basic language used among hackers and computer security professionals. Other terms will appear in later chapters within the appropriate topics. None of these definitions are in any way “official”, but rather represent an understanding of their common usage. This chapter also attempts to clarify what hacking is as an activity, what it is not, and who hackers are. Depictions and discussions of hacking in popular cu...

Why should you become hacker ? Like any other technological advancement in human history, the benefits gained by mankind from the computerization and digitization of our world come at a price. The more information we can store and transmit, the more it becomes vulnerable to theft or destruction. The more dependent our lives become on technology and on rapid, instantaneous communication, the greater are the consequences of losing access to those capabilities. It is not only possible, but in fact routine for billions of dollars to be transferred overseas in the blink of an eye. Entire libraries can be stored on devices no bigger than a human thumb. It is common to see toddlers playing rather mundane games on smartphones or tablets that have more computing power than machines which just 50 years ago would have filled entire rooms.  This unprecedented concentration of data and digital wealth, coupled with society’s increasing reliance on digital means of storage and ...