Overview of Ethical Hacking Tools
Ethical hacking is simply authorized hacking to detect vulnerabilities and weaknesses in applications and systems to protect against unauthorized access from hackers. Ethical hacking tools are computer scripts and programs that scan liabilities in computer systems, networks, and web applications. A number of such tools are available on the market, with a few of them being open-sourced and others being paid solutions.
Top 10 Ethical Hacking Tools and their Features
Below are some popular ethical hacking tools:
1. Burp Suite
Burp Suite is a valuable tool for performing security testing for web applications. The tools in this suite work in sync to realize the entire testing process—from an initial analysis of the application’s surface of attack to discovering and exploiting security vulnerabilities.
Features:
- Scanning custom-built applications and open-source software
- Detects over 3000 vulnerabilities in a web application
- Allows automatic scanning with the help of its Login Sequence Recorder
- Provides for a wide range of reports, both technical and compliance-related
- Provision of built-in vulnerability management.
- Automated crawl and scan feature, including an innovative scanning feature for manual testers.
2. Ettercap
Ettercap is the short form for “Ethernet Capture.” It is a security tool that sniffs out and captures live connections and performs content filtering. It is used mainly for Man-in-the-Middle attacks. Ettercap can run on most operating systems, such as Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Features:
- Supports division of many protocols, including active and passive division
- Inbuilt features for host and network analysis
- Feature to sniff out a switched LAN by means of ARP poisoning
- Capable of sniffing out an SSH connection
- Inject characters into a server or a client, all while upholding a live connection
- Even with a proxy connection, Ettercap allows for sniffing out of HTTP SSL-secured data
- Has APIs that enable us to build custom plugins
3. Aircrack
AirCrack is a well-known security suite for home and corporate security environments. It works by seizing network packets and then analyzing them to crack the WiFi. It also includes full support for WEP and WPA networks.
Features:
- Supports numerous drivers and WiFi cards
- Supports Windows, MAC, and Linux detection for WiFi
- Launched a WEP attack known as PTW
- Express cracking speed
- Has an extensive documentation range
- Integration with third-party tools.
4. Angry IP Scanner
Angry IP Scanner is a lightweight, open-source, and cross-platform scanning tool. It scans IP addresses in any range and easily scans ports. It uses a multithreaded approach to increase scanning speed. A separate scanning thread is made for each scanned IP address. It works by pinging an IP address to check if it is alive and then resolving its hostname to determine the scan ports, MAC address, etc.
Features:
- Scans local networks along with the internet
- Open-source tool and easily accessible
- File procured after scanning can be in any format
- Can be used extensively with various data fetchers
- Offers a command-line interface
- No installation process required
5. QualysGuard
QualysGuard is a security tool for streamlining security and compliance issues for businesses. It provides critical security intelligence and automates the various systems for auditing and compliance. QualysGuard can inspect online cloud systems for performance vulnerabilities as well.
Features:
- Scalable solution in nearly all IT security aspects
- No hardware purchasing required
- Critical security intelligence is stored securely in an n-tiered architecture
- Continuous visibility with the help of its sensor
- Data analysis is done in real-time
- Respond to real-time threats
6. WebInspect
WebInspect is an automated security assessment tool for identifying known and unknown liabilities in the web application layer. It helps us check whether a Web server is configured properly or not.
Features:
- Tests dynamic behaviour of running applications for identifying security vulnerabilities
- Provides pertinent information on a quick look, which helps us control our scan
- Uses advanced technologies like simultaneous crawl professional testing
- Easy to inform the management of compliance management, trending vulnerabilities, and risk overview
7. LC4
LC4, formerly known as L0phtCrack, is a powerful password audit and recovery tool. It tests password strength and recovers lost Microsoft Windows passwords with the help of methods like a dictionary, brute-force, and hybrid attacks. LC4 also aids in the detection and assessment of password vulnerabilities on local networks and machines.
Features:
- Optimized hardware, including multicore & multi-GPU support
- Customization is easy in LC4
- Simple method for loading passwords
- Capable of scheduling tasks for enterprise-wide password
- Correct weak password problems by forcing password reset or locking the account
8. IronWASP
IronWASP is a free and open-source tool, which supports many platforms. It is suitable for auditing public servers and applications. IronWASP has a customizable design to help users create their own security scanners. It is GUI-based, with full scans performed within a few clicks.
Features:
- Easy to use for a beginner as it is GUI-based
- Powerful and efficient scanning engine
- Reports can be in either HTML or RTF format
- Can record the Login sequence
- Examines the application for more than 25 kinds of vulnerabilities
- Can detect false positives and negatives
9. SQLMap
SQLMap automates the process of identifying and testing different kinds of SQL-based liabilities and reporting them. A few of the SQL injection techniques are:
- Boolean-based blind
- Time-based blind
- UNION query
- Error-based
- Out-of-band
- Stacked queries
Features:
- Supports multiple database servers like Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL, MSSQL, MS Access, IBM DB2, SQLite, and Informix
- Comprises capabilities like automatic code injection
- Techniques like password hash recognition and dictionary-based password cracking
- Allows us to view various databases and their user privileges
- Executes remote SQL SELECT statements and also gives up information about the dump table
10. Cain & Abel
Cain & Abel is a recovery tool for passwords on Microsoft OS machines.
Features:
- Recovering MS Access passwords
- Employs methods like sniffing the networks for password recovery
- Helps uncover the password field
- Cracks encrypted passwords using methods like dictionary and brute-force attacks
Conclusion
Ethical hacking tools have been evolving, making ethical penetration testing faster, more reliable, and easier than ever. These tools play an important role in identifying the application security defects, enabling the developer to quickly revert the vulnerability and bring the application back to a secure state.
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