Are you curious about what program do ethical hackers use to hack? Here you will explore the various legit programs that hackers use to hack.
Ethical hackers, also known as white hat hackers, use a variety of tools and techniques to test the security of systems and networks. These tools can be divided into several categories, including:
Network scanning tools: These tools are used to identify live hosts and open ports on a network. Examples include Nmap, Nessus, and OpenVAS.
Vulnerability assessment tools: These tools are used to identify vulnerabilities in systems and applications. Examples include Nessus, OpenVAS, and Metasploit.
Password cracking tools: These tools are used to recover lost or forgotten passwords. Examples include John the Ripper, Cain & Able, and Hashcat.
Packet capturing tools: These tools are used to capture and analyze network traffic. Examples include Wireshark and tcpdump.
Web application testing tools: These tools are used to identify vulnerabilities in web applications. Examples include Burp Suite, OWASP ZAP, and sqlmap.
Social engineering tools: These tools are used to gather information about a target through deception. Examples include SEToolkit and Maltego.
Wireless testing tools: These tools are used to identify vulnerabilities in wireless networks. Examples include Aircrack-ng and Kismet.
Reverse engineering tools: These tools are used to analyze and understand the inner workings of the software. Examples include IDA Pro and OllyDbg.
It's worth noting that ethical hackers use the same tools and techniques as malicious hackers, but they use them with permission and to improve security.
What Program Do Ethical Hackers Use To Hack
Here is the list of almost every tool that hackers use to hack a system.
1. Network Scanning Tools
Network scanning tools are software programs or online utilities that are used to discover devices and services that are connected to a network. These tools can be used to identify hosts and their IP addresses, open ports and services, and other information about the network's configuration and security. They can also be used to perform vulnerability assessments, identify potential security threats, and monitor network activity. Some popular types of network scanning tools include port scanners, vulnerability scanners, and network mappers.
Here are some Network Scanning Tools
- Nmap (Windows, Linux, macOS)
- Angry IP Scanner (Windows, Linux, macOS)
- Fing (Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android)
- Advanced IP Scanner (Windows)
- SoftPerfect Network Scanner (Windows, Linux, macOS)
- LanScan (macOS)
- Zenmap (Windows, Linux, macOS)
- Advanced Port Scanner (Windows)
- Nessus (Windows, Linux, macOS)
- OpenVAS (Windows, Linux)
2. Vulnerability Assessment Tools
Vulnerability assessment tools are software programs that are designed to identify and report vulnerabilities in computer systems, networks, and applications. These tools scan the system and look for weaknesses that could be exploited by cybercriminals. They can be used to assess the security of an organization's IT infrastructure and identify potential vulnerabilities such as misconfigurations, missing security patches, and unsecured access points. The reports generated by these tools can help organizations prioritize the vulnerabilities that need to be addressed and take appropriate measures to secure their systems. Some of the key features of vulnerability assessment tools include automated scanning, reporting, and remediation capabilities. They're often used in combination with Penetration testing tools to provide a comprehensive view of the security posture of an organization.
Here are some Vulnerability Assessment Tools
- Nessus (Windows, Linux, macOS)
- OpenVAS (Windows, Linux)
- Nexpose (Windows, Linux)
- Retina (Windows)
- QualysGuard (Cloud-based)
- Rapid7 Metasploit (Windows, Linux, macOS)
- Tenable.io (Cloud-based)
- Nmap NSE (Windows, Linux, macOS)
- GFI LanGuard (Windows)
- McAfee Vulnerability Manager (Windows, Linux)
3. Password Cracking Tools
Password cracking tools are software programs designed to guess or "crack" passwords in order to gain unauthorized access to a system or network. These tools use various techniques such as brute-force, dictionary, and pre-computed attacks to try different password combinations until they find the correct one. They can be used by security professionals to test the strength of their own system's passwords and by cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access to a system.
Brute-force attack: This method involves trying every possible combination of characters until the correct password is found. It's the most time-consuming method but also the most effective as it guarantees that the password will be found.
Dictionary attack: This method uses a pre-existing list of words (dictionary) and checks them against the password. It's faster than a brute-force attack, but it will only find a password if it's in the list of words used.
Pre-computed attacks: This method uses pre-computed tables of hashed passwords called rainbow tables to find the plaintext password. It is much faster than a brute-force or dictionary attack, but it only works if the table contains the specific hash of the password being cracked.
It's important to note that the use of these tools is illegal in many countries without proper authorization, they are mainly used by security professionals to test their own system's security and to train employees on how to create strong passwords.
Here are some Password cracking tools
- Hashcat (Windows, Linux, macOS)
- John the Ripper (Windows, Linux, macOS)
- L0phtCrack (Windows)
- Cain and Abel (Windows)
- Aircrack-ng (Windows, Linux, macOS)
- Ophcrack (Windows, Linux)
- Wfuzz (Windows, Linux, macOS)
- THC Hydra (Windows, Linux, macOS)
- Medusa (Windows, Linux, macOS)
- Ncrack (Windows, Linux, macOS)
4. Packet capturing tools
Packet capturing tools, also known as network sniffers, are software programs that capture and analyze network traffic. These tools intercept and log network packets passing through a network interface, allowing users to see the details of network communication such as IP addresses, ports, and data payloads. They can be used for a variety of purposes such as troubleshooting network issues, monitoring network usage, and detecting security threats.
Here are some Packet capturing tools
- Wireshark (Windows, Linux, macOS)
- tcpdump (Windows, Linux, macOS)
- Microsoft Network Monitor (Windows)
- Colasoft Capsa (Windows)
- Fiddler (Windows)
- Tshark (Windows, Linux, macOS)
5. Web application testing tools
Web application testing tools are software programs that are used to test the security and functionality of web applications. These tools automate the process of identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications, such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and cross-site request forgery (CSRF). They can also be used to test for compliance with web application security standards such as OWASP Top 10 and PCI-DSS.
Here are some Web application testing tools
- Burp Suite (Windows, Linux, macOS)
- OWASP ZAP (Windows, Linux, macOS)
- Nessus (Windows, Linux, macOS)
- IBM AppScan (Windows)
- Acunetix (Windows)
- WebInspect (Windows)
- W3AF (Windows, Linux, macOS)
6. Social Engineering Tools
Social engineering tools are software programs or techniques that are used to manipulate or deceive individuals into providing sensitive information or performing a certain action. These tools are commonly used by attackers to gain access to sensitive information such as login credentials, financial information, and personal data. They can also be used to spread malware or perform other malicious actions.
Here are some Social engineering tools
- SET (Social-Engineer Toolkit)
- Maltego
- Spear Phishing Toolkit (SPT)
7. Wireless Testing Tools
Wireless testing tools are software programs and hardware devices that are used to test the security and performance of wireless networks. These tools can be used to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in wireless networks, such as weak encryption, unsecured access points, and rogue devices. They can also be used to test for compliance with wireless security standards such as 802.11i and WPA2.
Here are some wireless testing tools
- Aircrack-ng (Windows, Linux, macOS)
- Kismet (Windows, Linux, macOS)
- Cain and Abel (Windows)
- Wireshark (Windows, Linux, macOS)
- Metasploit (Windows, Linux, macOS)
- Nessus (Windows, Linux, macOS)
- Wireless Diagnostics (macOS)
- InSSIDer (Windows)
- wifi-pumpkin (Linux)
- Wireless Network Watcher (Windows)
8. Reverse Engineering tools
Reverse engineering tools are software programs and techniques that are used to analyze and understand the inner workings of a software application, binary, firmware, or hardware device. These tools can be used to extract information about the design, functionality, and vulnerabilities of a system. Reverse engineering can be used for many purposes, such as analyzing malware, identifying vulnerabilities in software, understanding how a device works and developing software that is compatible with a specific device.
Here are some Reverse engineering tools:
- IDA Pro (Windows, Linux, macOS)
- OllyDbg (Windows)
- Binary Ninja (Windows, Linux, macOS)
- Ghidra (Windows, Linux, macOS)
- Radare2 (Windows, Linux, macOS)
- Hex-Rays Decompiler (Windows)
- IDA Free (Windows)
- Hopper (Windows, Linux, macOS)
- x64dbg (Windows)
- BinaryNinja (Windows, Linux, macOS)
Conclusion
I hope you know now what program do hackers use to hack. Ethical hackers, also known as penetration testers or white hat hackers, use a variety of tools to simulate real-world attacks on a system or network. These tools include network scanning, vulnerability assessment, password cracking, packet capturing, web application testing, wireless testing, and reverse engineering tools. These tools are used to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in a system or network, allowing ethical hackers to provide recommendations on how to improve security. It's important to note that the use of these tools should be done with caution and only by authorized personnel, in order to avoid any legal issues or security breaches.
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