7 most popular tools used by Ethical Hackers

Ethical hackers, also known as “white hat” hackers, use various tools to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in computer systems, networks, and applications. These tools are used for ethical hacking purposes to help companies and organizations improve their security posture and protect against cyberattacks. In this article, we will discuss some of the most common tools used by ethical hackers.

1. Nmap Nmap is a network scanning tool used to discover hosts and services on a computer network, thus creating a “map” of the network. Ethical hackers use Nmap to identify open ports, running services, and operating systems of network devices.
2. Metasploit Metasploit is a penetration testing tool used to simulate cyberattacks and test the security of computer systems, networks, and applications. Ethical hackers use Metasploit to create payloads and test their effectiveness in exploiting vulnerabilities.
3. Wireshark Wireshark is a network protocol analyzer used to capture and analyze network traffic in real-time. Ethical hackers use Wireshark to analyze network traffic and identify potential security threats and vulnerabilities.
4. Burp Suite Burp Suite is a web application security testing tool used to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in web applications. Ethical hackers use Burp Suite to intercept and modify HTTP traffic, perform automated scans, and identify common web application vulnerabilities.
5. John the Ripper John the Ripper is a password cracking tool used to test the strength of passwords. Ethical hackers use John the Ripper to test the security of passwords used in computer systems and networks.
6. Aircrack-ng Aircrack-ng is a wireless network security tool used to crack WEP and WPA-PSK encryption keys. Ethical hackers use Aircrack-ng to test the security of wireless networks and identify vulnerabilities.
7. Nessus Nessus is a vulnerability scanner used to identify and assess vulnerabilities in computer systems and networks. Ethical hackers use Nessus to identify vulnerabilities in target systems and provide recommendations for remediation.

In conclusion, ethical hackers use a wide range of tools to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in computer systems, networks, and applications. These tools are essential for conducting ethical hacking activities and helping organizations improve their security posture. It is important to note that these tools should only be used for ethical hacking purposes with the proper authorization and consent from the target organization.