Ethical Hacking Questions Medium
Ethical hackers use various network scanning techniques to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in a network. Some of the commonly used network scanning techniques are:
1. Port Scanning: This technique involves scanning the network for open ports on target systems. It helps in identifying which ports are open, closed, or filtered, which can provide valuable information about potential entry points for attackers.
2. Vulnerability Scanning: Ethical hackers perform vulnerability scanning to identify known vulnerabilities in network devices, operating systems, or applications. This technique involves using automated tools to scan the network and identify weaknesses that could be exploited by attackers.
3. Network Mapping: Network mapping is the process of discovering and mapping the network infrastructure, including devices, routers, switches, and their interconnections. Ethical hackers use tools like network mappers to create a visual representation of the network, which helps in understanding the network topology and potential attack vectors.
4. Packet Sniffing: Packet sniffing involves capturing and analyzing network traffic to gather information about the network, such as usernames, passwords, or sensitive data. Ethical hackers use packet sniffers to identify potential security vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the network.
5. Wireless Scanning: With the increasing use of wireless networks, ethical hackers also perform wireless scanning to identify vulnerabilities in wireless access points and networks. This technique involves scanning for open networks, weak encryption, or misconfigured access points that could be exploited by attackers.
6. Operating System Fingerprinting: Ethical hackers use operating system fingerprinting techniques to identify the operating systems running on target systems. This information helps in understanding the potential vulnerabilities and weaknesses associated with specific operating systems.
7. Banner Grabbing: Banner grabbing is the process of collecting information from network services, such as web servers or FTP servers, by analyzing the banners or responses they provide. Ethical hackers use this technique to gather information about the services running on target systems and identify potential vulnerabilities.
It is important to note that ethical hackers should always obtain proper authorization and follow legal and ethical guidelines while performing network scanning activities.