Lecture Notes on Ethical Hacking and Cybersecurity

Introduction

• Instructor: Ashish Kumar
• Course by WsCube Tech on ethical hacking
  • Includes bug bounty hunting, penetration testing
  • Paid live advanced course available
  • Contact details and enrollment forms provided in the lecture description

Key Topics Covered

1. Introduction to Ethical Hacking

   • Definition: Legal hacking into systems for security purposes
   • Penetration Testing: Identifying vulnerabilities in systems
   • Role: Securing organizations and defeating malicious hackers

2. Types of Hackers

   • White Hat Hackers: Perform legal hacking with permission, help secure systems
   • Grey Hat Hackers: Operate between legal and illegal, can secure or exploit systems
   • Black Hat Hackers: Engage in illegal hacking for personal gain, involved in data theft and system damage

3. Types of System Attacks

   • Operating System Attacks: Exploiting OS vulnerabilities
   • Misconfiguration Attacks: Taking advantage of default settings
   • Application-Level Attacks: Targeting web applications via coding errors
   • Shrink-Wrap Code Attacks: Exploiting unpatched vulnerabilities

4. Scope in Ethical Hacking

   • Growing cybercrime increases demand for ethical hackers
   • Average salary in India: 5 lakhs/year
   • Government investment in cybersecurity
   • The potential threat of cyberwarfare

5. Cyber Laws

   • Important laws: Information Technology Act, Copyright Act, etc.
   • Ethical hackers must obtain written permission before testing systems

6. Networking Basics

   • Computer Networking: Communication between systems for data sharing
   • Types of Networks: LAN, MAN, WAN
   • IP Addresses: Identification for devices on a network
   • Role of Ports: Facilitate specific communications between systems

7. OSI vs. TCP/IP Models

   • Differences and functions of OSI 7-layer model and TCP/IP 4-layer model
   • Importance in data transfer and networking protocols

8. Networking Protocols

   • Definition: Set of rules for data transmission
   • Types: Application layer protocols (HTTP, DNS), Transport layer (TCP, UDP)
   • TCP 3-Way Handshake: Establishing connections between systems

9. Domain Names and DNS

   • Domain Name: Human-readable names for IP addresses
   • DNS: Translates domain names to IPs, known as the internet’s address book
   • Types of DNS Records: 'A' record, CNAME, MX, etc.

10. Request vs. Response in Networking

    • HTTP Request: Client's call to server for website access
    • HTTP Response: Server's reply containing requested data
    • Methods: GET, POST, HEAD, etc.

11. Linux Basics for Ethical Hacking

    • Linux: Open-source operating system
    • Basic Commands: Navigation, file management, permissions
    • Shell Scripting: Automating tasks in Linux

12. Setting Up a Hacking Lab

    • Tools: Kali Linux, VMware, VirtualBox
    • Installing vulnerable systems (e.g., Metasploitable2, DVWA)

13. Complete Anonymous Settings

    • Configuring proxy, VPN, and changing MAC addresses
    • Importance of anonymity in cybersecurity

14. Footprinting and Reconnaissance

    • Active and Passive: Gathering information directly or indirectly
    • Use of Search Engines and Social Networks: Effective information gathering
    • Advanced Techniques: Using tools like Netcraft, Shodan, Sublist3r for in-depth reconnaissance

Conclusion

• Ethical hacking plays a crucial role in cybersecurity
• Continuous learning and skill development are essential
• Understanding laws and maintaining legal boundaries is critical for ethical hackers