A Complete guide on how to learn 5 Phases of Ethical Hacking & Techniques, Tools used in each phase.

Ethical hacking is the process of testing and assessing the security of a system or network by mimicking an attack. The objective is to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the system and provide recommendations for improving security. Ethical hacking is vital to modern cybersecurity, as it helps organizations identify and address security threats before attackers exploit them.

The five phases of ethical hacking are planning and reconnaissance, scanning, gaining access, maintaining access, and covering tracks. In this blog post, we will explore each phase and the techniques and tools ethical hackers use in each phase.

Phase 1: Planning and Reconnaissance

The first phase of ethical hacking involves planning and reconnaissance. This phase involves gathering information about the target system or network, including its IP address, operating system, applications, and services. Ethical hackers use various techniques to gather this information, including social engineering, open-source intelligence gathering, and network mapping.

Techniques used in phase 1:

• Social engineering: Social engineering involves manipulating people into divulging sensitive information. Ethical hackers may use phishing emails, pretexting, or baiting to gather information about the target system or network.
• Open-source intelligence gathering: Open-source intelligence gathering involves collecting information from publicly available sources, such as social media, company websites, and online forums. Ethical hackers may use tools like Maltego, Recon-ng, or SpiderFoot to gather this information.
• Network mapping: Network mapping involves discovering the devices, operating systems, and services running on a network. Ethical hackers may use Nmap, Fping, or Angry IP Scanner tools to perform network mapping.

Tools used in phase 1:

• Maltego: Maltego is a data mining and information gathering tool that allows ethical hackers to collect and visualize information about a target.
• Recon-ng: Recon-ng is a reconnaissance framework that can be used to gather information about a target from various sources.
• Nmap: Nmap is a network exploration and security auditing tool that can be used to discover hosts and services on a network.

Phase 2: Scanning

The second phase of ethical hacking involves scanning the target system or network for vulnerabilities and weaknesses. Ethical hackers use a variety of techniques to identify potential vulnerabilities, including port scanning, vulnerability scanning, and banner grabbing.

Techniques used in phase 2:

• Port scanning: Port scanning involves scanning a network for open ports and services. Ethical hackers may use tools like Nmap or Nessus to scan port.
• Vulnerability scanning: Vulnerability scanning involves scanning a network for known vulnerabilities. Ethical hackers may use tools like Nessus, OpenVAS, or Qualys to scan vulnerability.
• Banner grabbing: Banner grabbing involves capturing information about the software running on a network service. Ethical hackers may use tools such as Netcat, Telnet, or Nmap to perform banner grabbing.

Tools used in phase 2:

• Nessus: Nessus is a vulnerability scanning tool that can identify potential vulnerabilities in a target system or network.
• OpenVAS: OpenVAS is an open-source vulnerability scanner that can scan for known vulnerabilities in a target.
• Netcat: Netcat is a versatile networking tool that can be used for banner grabbing, port scanning, and other networking tasks.

Phase 3: Gaining Access

The third phase of ethical hacking involves attempting to gain access to the target system or network. Ethical hackers use various techniques to gain access, including password cracking, exploiting vulnerabilities, and social engineering.

Techniques used in phase 3:

• Password cracking: Password cracking involves attempting to guess or crack passwords to gain access to a target system or network.
• Exploiting vulnerabilities: Exploiting vulnerabilities involves taking advantage of security flaws in software or hardware to gain access to a system or network. Ethical hackers may use tools such as Metasploit or the Social-Engineer Toolkit to exploit vulnerabilities.
• Social engineering: Social engineering involves manipulating people into divulging sensitive information or granting access to a system or network. Ethical hackers may use phishing, pretexting, or baiting tactics to gain access.

Tools used in phase 3:

• Metasploit: Metasploit is a penetration testing framework that can be used to exploit vulnerabilities in a target system or network.
• Social-Engineer Toolkit (SET): SET is a tool that can be used to launch social engineering attacks, such as phishing or pretexting.
• John the Ripper: John the Ripper is a password-cracking tool that can crack password hashes.

Phase 4: Maintaining Access

The fourth phase of ethical hacking involves maintaining access to the target system or network once access has been gained. Ethical hackers use various techniques to maintain access, including backdoors, rootkits, and Trojans.

Techniques used in phase 4:

• Backdoors: Backdoors are hidden entry points into a system or network that allow attackers to gain access without going through the normal authentication process. Ethical hackers may create backdoors to maintain access to a target system or network.
• Rootkits: Rootkits are programs designed to hide an attacker's presence on a target system or network. Ethical hackers may use rootkits to maintain access to a target.
• Trojans: Trojans are malicious programs that are disguised as legitimate software. Ethical hackers may use Trojans to maintain access to a target system or network.

Tools used in phase 4:

• Netcat: Netcat can be used to create a backdoor that allows an attacker to maintain access to a target system or network.
• Meterpreter: Meterpreter is a post-exploitation tool that can be used to maintain access to a target system or network.
• Spyware: Spyware is a type of Trojan that can be used to monitor a target system or network.

Phase 5: Covering Tracks

The fifth and final phase of ethical hacking involves covering tracks to hide evidence of the attack. Ethical hackers use various techniques to cover their tracks, including deleting log files, altering timestamps, and encrypting data.

Techniques used in phase 5:

• Deleting log files: Log files contain system and network activity records, and can provide evidence of an attack. Ethical hackers may delete log files to cover their tracks.
• Altering timestamps: Altering timestamps can make it more difficult to determine when an attack occurred. Ethical hackers may alter timestamps to cover their tracks.
• Encrypting data: Encrypting data can make it more difficult to access sensitive information. Ethical hackers may encrypt data to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands.

Tools used in phase 5:

• LogCleaner: LogCleaner is a tool that can delete log files and cover tracks.
• Timestomp: Timestomp is a tool that can alter timestamps to cover tracks.
• TrueCrypt: TrueCrypt is a tool that can encrypt data to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands.

Where does one learn the 5 Phases of Ethical Hacking?

The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) program is a popular training course and certification (Worlds №1 Ethical hacking Certification) that teaches individuals the skills and knowledge needed to become an ethical hacker. The courseware and labs provided in the CEH program cover the five phases of ethical hacking in detail, helping individuals to master each phase and become proficient in ethical hacking techniques.

Phase 1: Reconnaissance

The CEH program teaches individuals how to perform reconnaissance by gathering information about the target system or network. The courseware covers a variety of tools and techniques used for reconnaissance, including footprinting, scanning, and enumeration. In the lab exercises, individuals are given hands-on experience using tools such as Nmap, Maltego, and Recon-ng to gather information about a target.

Phase 2: Scanning

The scanning phase of ethical hacking involves identifying the open ports, services, and vulnerabilities on the target system or network. The CEH program teaches individuals how to use tools such as Nessus, OpenVAS, and Nikto to perform vulnerability assessments and identify potential weaknesses. The lab exercises provide individuals with the opportunity to practice using these tools and identify vulnerabilities in a simulated environment.

Phase 3: Gaining Access

The gaining access phase of ethical hacking involves exploiting vulnerabilities and gaining access to the target system or network. The CEH program teaches individuals how to use tools such as Metasploit, SET, and John the Ripper to exploit vulnerabilities and gain access to a target. The lab exercises provide individuals with hands-on experience using these tools to gain access to a simulated target.

Phase 4: Maintaining Access

The maintaining access phase of ethical hacking involves maintaining access to the target system or network once access has been gained. The CEH program teaches individuals how to use tools such as Netcat, Meterpreter, and Spyware to maintain access to a target. The lab exercises allow individuals to practice using these tools to maintain access to a simulated target.

Phase 5: Covering Tracks

The covering tracks phase of ethical hacking involves covering up evidence of the attack to avoid detection. The CEH program teaches individuals how to use tools such as LogCleaner, Timestomp, and TrueCrypt to cover tracks and hide evidence of an attack. The lab exercises provide individuals with hands-on experience using these tools to cover their tracks in a simulated environment.

Overall, the CEH program provides individuals with comprehensive training and hands-on experience in the five phases of ethical hacking. The courseware and labs cover various tools and techniques used in each phase, allowing individuals to become proficient in ethical hacking and apply their skills in real-world scenarios. By completing the CEH program and becoming certified, individuals can demonstrate their expertise in ethical hacking and their commitment to cybersecurity.