List curated by Hackingvision. The contributor s cannot be held responsible for any misuse of the data. This repository is just a collection of URLs to download eBooks for free. Download the eBooks at your own risks. To know more on DMCA takedown policy here. Advanced Penetration Testing Hacking Begin Ethical Hacking with Python. Certified Ethical Hacker Essential Skills for Hackers. Hacking Hacking the Hacker The Art of Invisibility Penetration Testing Basics.
Penetration Testing Essentials Hackers Beware. Network Performance and Security. Modern Web Penetration Testing From Hacking to Report Writing. Python Web Penetration Testing Cookbook. CompTIA Cybersecurit Back in the day, we relied on the government and major organizations to provide enough security for our personal data. This is no longer feasible in a world where the security agencies themselves are the major targets of malicious hackers. In fact, in most cases, the biggest cyber threat will come from your very own government!
So what do you do? Sit back and cross your fingers, hoping that your firewall and antivirus program will be enough to protect you?
Whether you like it or not, you will have to learn how to hack if you are going to stand a chance of keeping your own cyber systems secure. By understanding how malicious hackers do what they do, you will be able to detect and prevent any potential threats to a computer system or network. This book will help you do that. We start off with a general overview of the state of global cyber security. We will also cover how to conduct penetration testing to check for any potential loopholes in a network.
Every network, no matter how secure, has some kind of weakness. You will learn what goes into targeting, scanning, and analyzing a target, and how to gain access into a system. There are different ways of hacking a cyber system. We take an in-depth look at some of the top tactics that malicious hackers use to launch attacks on their targets. Finally, what can you do to stay safe as a hacker? Read about all this and more right here. I hope you enjoy the book!
The contents of this book may not be reproduced, duplicated or transmitted without direct written permission from the author. Under no circumstances will any legal responsibility or blame be held against the publisher for any reparation, damages, or monetary loss due to the information herein, either directly or indirectly.
Legal Notice: This book is copyright protected. This is only for personal use. You cannot amend, distribute, sell, use, quote or paraphrase any part or the content within this book without the consent of the author. Disclaimer Notice: Please note the information contained within this document is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Every attempt has been made to provide accurate, up to date and reliable complete information.
No warranties of any kind are expressed or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaging in the rendering of legal, financial, medical or professional advice.
The content of this book has been derived from various sources. Please consult a licensed professional before attempting any techniques outlined in this book. By reading this document, the reader agrees that under no circumstances are is the author responsible for any losses, direct or indirect, which are incurred as a result of the use of information contained within this document, including, but not limited to, —errors, omissions, or inaccuracies. The days of resting easy knowing that your private information is safe from prying eyes are over!
The world we currently live in is no longer what it used to be. Cyber crime is a real, dangerous, and persistent threat that every organization and individual needs to take seriously.
Right now we are living in the digital age and in a global village. The new US president himself, Donald Trump, stated that cyber theft is the fastest growing crime in the America.
The cyber security community agrees as well. Did you know that there is virtually no chance of unemployment if you work in the cyber security industry right now? Analysts have concluded that there is an extreme shortage of cybersecurity talent all over the world, with the cyber security unemployment rate dropping to zero percent as of ! Malicious hackers are now after blood, not silicon. According to Microsoft, there will be 4 billion people online by the year , and humans, not computers, are now the primary target of hackers.
Did you know that the average hacker is able to stay dormant in your network for an average of days without being detected? These statistics are not meant to scare you. They are meant to open your eyes to what is taking place all over the world. Or maybe some geeky nerd with nothing to do all day but send out encrypted programs to infect networks and systems? Whatever images may have popped into your head, the fact is that most people believe that all hackers are intent on stealing information or spying on people.
The majority of people think that all hackers are criminals and hacking is wrong. That may be what is portrayed in movies and TV shows, but it is simply not the case. Hacking can be defined as an attempt to solve a problem or improve an application by re-engineering hardware or software.
In other words, if you have a problem with your computer and are unable to resolve it using conventional techniques, then you may be forced to use whatever technology is available but in a new way. If you look at the history of how hacking started, it all began with the intention to solve a problem using creative means.
These guys were so into model trains that they took the telephone equipment they had received as a donation and engineered it so that multiple operators could control the train track by simply dialing the phone. Some of these guys even went further and started modifying the recently introduced computer programs on campus. Their aim was to customize the programs for special use and make them better. They simply used what they had available to get creative, invent a new way of doing something, and solve problems.
This is what hacking is about. Today, hacking may represent a breach of cybersecurity, damaging systems, and illegal access, but that is not the whole story. So how do you distinguish the good guys from the criminals? The Psychology of Hacking In order to stop a hacker, you must first understand what drives them.
In the hacking community, there are several diverse and complicated skill levels and motivations. It is important that you understand the different types of hackers so that you can be able to predict their attempts and understand their mentality. Even as a beginner who is learning how to hack a system, you do not want to leave yourself vulnerable to a counterattack.
Categories of hackers The biggest mistake people make is putting all hackers in the same group as if they have a single purpose. This is often what the media does, and the public has fallen for this lie. You cannot attempt to categorize a hacker without first knowing why they performed the hack and what their goals were. This type of hacker works with software vendors to patch any vulnerability in their software.
White Hats usually do what they do as a public service. Their intent is to make the public aware of the threats out there so that people know how vulnerable a system is. However, they never publicly publish such data until the vendor of the software has done so themselves. Black Hats — This type of hacker is often convinced that they are doing a public service, but in reality, their major motivation is power and money.
They tend to penetrate networks so that they can steal or cause damage to data. They are driven by malicious hatred or anger against an organization or country. It is interesting to note that they got their name from the fact that villains in most cowboy Western movies wore black hats. Gray Hats can be described as hackers who used to be Black Hats but have reformed and are now working as cyber security experts.
They are sometimes defined as hackers who consult as well as gain illegal access to networks. Classes of hackers There are specific classes that fall under the Black and White Hat hacker categories mentioned above.
These include: Elite — These are the gurus of the hacking world. They have the skills and knowledge nobody else has. But what makes them extremely rare is their ethics and integrity. They often act as White Hats who know network infrastructure and have the programming knowledge to write their own tools.
You can only become an elite hacker by performing a well-known hack or exploit or maintaining longevity as a hacker. They thrive and love the fact that they can hide behind the veil of the web as they share information with each other. They are able to hide encrypted data in plain view such that only a fellow cyber criminal can find it. Governments all across the globe tend to hire these types of hackers to do their dirty business, ranging from simple spying to cyber warfare.
Script Kiddies — Nobody is as maligned or ridiculed as a script kiddie. This class of hacker is young, inexperienced, and unskilled in creating their own exploit tools. They use tools made by elite hackers, and can only hack systems that others have identified vulnerabilities in. They mostly hack for fun and are the ones whose exploits are commonly mentioned in the media.
Their main achievements are usually DoS attacks and web page defacements. Hacktivist — This is a combination of a hacker and an activist. They carry political, social, or religious agendas and can be quite tenacious. They deface websites and perform DoS attacks to put pressure on governments or organizations they consider are causing harm to a particular group of society.
Angry employees — These are people who have inside knowledge about an organization and use their access to gather information for themselves or others. They are considered extremely dangerous even though the public rarely gets to hear about them. Such hackers are normally quiet and shy but have narcissistic personalities. They turn on their employers whenever they believe that they have not been recognized for their work. Virus Writers — These are people who take advantage of any weaknesses that a hacker has exposed, and go on to write code to exploit those vulnerabilities.
Skills Required for Hacking As a beginner, there are some basic skills that you will need to develop if you are to progress in the world of hacking. These include: 1. Computer skills — You have to be knowledgeable in computer use and be able to understand written instructions. Can you use the Windows command module? These basic skills are critical for every hacker worth their salt. Working knowledge of Linux OS — Linux allows you to customize your programs, which is why hackers prefer it over Mac and Windows.
Database skills — Learning how to use database management systems like Oracle and MySQL will help you understand how to penetrate databases.
Networking skills — As a hacker who will be engaging in a lot of online activity, you should know about concepts like subnetting, DNS, ports, WPS passwords, and so on.
Scripting skills — You may not know how to code right now, but sooner or later you will have to learn. Every hacker needs to have their own hacking tools rather than depend on what others have created. Relying on tools made by other hackers leaves your system vulnerable to exploitation. Take time to learn some scripting languages such as Ruby on Rails or Python.
Reverse engineering skills — One of the most effective ways to develop a great hacking tool is to take an existing one, take it apart, and find a way to make it better. Such skills are invaluable for a hacker.
Use of virtualization software — This type of software allows you to safely test your hack on your own computer before you unleash it on somebody else. A good example is VMWare Workstation. What Motivates a Hacker? Nowadays, cyber attacks are more sophisticated and widespread. So what drives a cyber criminal to hack a network or system? There are four fundamental motives: 1. You have heard of hackers exploiting system vulnerabilities of financial institutions and making off with credit card numbers, email accounts, passwords, usernames, and etc.
A malicious hacker will sell anything they can find for a price. Some Black Hats even blackmail organizations using ransomware. They attack the networks of government institutions, organizations, and prominent personalities to further their ideological, political, social, or scientific agendas.
One group known for having such motivations is Anonymous. Entertainment — The majority of Gray Hats tend to exploit networks for fun or pride.
They are seeking a challenge and will violate ethical laws to satisfy their curiosity. However, they are not malicious and will even inform the network administrator about the vulnerabilities they find.
Cyber Security — White Hats generally exploit a system to find weaknesses so that they can make them more secure. Organizations often employ hackers to work for them, patch vulnerabilities, and create codes of practice for employees to follow to avoid cyber breaches. Chapter 2: Penetration Testing Penetration testing refers to the testing of a cyber system, network, or application to detect weaknesses that may be exploited by a malicious hacker.
You are essentially trying to gain access to a system without having any usernames or passwords. The aim is to see how easy it is to acquire confidential information about an organization, and then increase the security of the system being tested.
So what exactly is the difference between a penetration test and an attack? A hacker who conducts a penetration test will be given the authorization by the owner of the system, who will then expect a detailed report at the end of it all. As the tester, you may be given user-level access to allow you to gain entry into the system.
The other option is to go in blind. In a blind or covert assessment, you are not given any information except the name of the client organization. The rest is up to you, which is exactly how most malicious hackers do it anyway. The only issue with a covert assessment is that it will take more time than an overt one, increasing the chances of you missing some flaw. You may be hired to find just one weakness, but in most instances, you will be expected to keep searching to find all the potential vulnerabilities in a network.
Once identified, you will have to find ways of fixing these holes. This is why you will have to write down detailed notes regarding your test procedure and results. Keeping notes enables the client to determine the effectiveness of your work and check to see if the issues you discovered are indeed fixed. However, it is highly unlikely that you will detect every single security flaw or hole in the system. Detecting Vulnerabilities The steps taken by a penetration tester and a malicious hacker are usually the same.
In most cases, a malicious hacker will move slowly through a system in order to avoid being detected. Once this is done, these loopholes should be sealed. The first step is usually reconnaissance. You attempt to collect as much information about your target network as you possibly can. This is normally a passive process that involves using resources available to the public.
When you have gathered your information, it is then time to verify it. This can be achieved by comparing the network or system information gathered with known vulnerabilities. Once you test the vulnerabilities, you will know for sure whether the information you had gathered is accurate or not.
Reasons for Performing Penetration Testing 1. Identify weaknesses that malicious hackers may exploit Even as you read this book right now, it is possible that there are malicious hackers launching tools and network attacks to try to penetrate your system.
These attacks are never-ending and you cannot predict when a system will be hit. In most cases, these exploits are well known and thus preventable. The IT department of an organization may be keen on knowing where the weaknesses are within their network and how a malicious hacker may take advantage of them.
As a penetration tester, you will be required to attack the system and fix the holes before someone with bad intentions finds their way in. A system may be secure today but tomorrow it may fall victim to a breach. The cyber security team may be aware of vulnerabilities but management is resistant to support changes being made to the existing system.
By outsourcing the testing to an external consultant, management is more likely to respect the results obtained. Confirm that the internal security team is doing its job The penetration test report will show whether the cyber security department is efficient in its work.
It may identify whether there is a gap between knowledge of system vulnerabilities and implementation of security measures. By performing a penetration test, it is possible to discover just how vigilant your security is and whether the staff needs extra training. It also highlights the effectiveness of the countermeasures that have been put in place in case of a cyber attack. Testing of new technology Before launching a new piece of technology, for example, a new wireless infrastructure, it is critical that the system is tested for vulnerabilities.
This will definitely save more money than performing the test while customers are already using it. The Penetration Testing Report Once you have completed the test, you have to compile all the data in a proper format and submit a report.
Keep in mind that the majority of the management staff may not be technically oriented, so the has to be split into appropriate sections for easy reading. You should have an Executive Summary, a Technical Summary containing all the specific IT jargon, and a Management Summary that explains what needs to be done to fix the flaws detected.
They are full of confidence and know for certain that they are going to win. However, when the fighting starts, the soldier discovers that he walked into an ambush. He may take down most of the enemy troops, but because he was never prepared for the battle, he ends up losing.
This is where a hacking methodology comes in handy. A hacking methodology is what a hacker uses to guide them from the first step to the last. To effectively exploit any vulnerability in a system, you need to identify some key things that will help you achieve your objectives. Without a proper methodology, you are likely to end up wasting time and energy fighting a losing battle. Target Mapping Finding the perfect target for your attack is not as simple as it sounds.
You have to be strategic in the way you conduct your research and search out the target with the most potential. You have to analyze their habits and then use the information collected to come up with the most appropriate strategy. The objective of mapping your target is to determine what and who you are attacking before penetrating the system.
Hackers usually go after one or several targets at once. Depending on the kind of information that you are looking for, you can decide to attack web servers storing personal information. You could also decide to go big and hack into a financial institution. Your target could be a specific website that you want to take down using DoS attacks, or you could deface its web page.
You may be interested in a specific individual in an organization. When you are searching for potential targets to attack, you have to consider the level of security that you will be trying to overcome.
Most hackers only go after targets that they know are easy to beat, so the level of vulnerability is often a key factor in mapping your target. Another factor to consider is whether the information gained from the attack is worth it. This will help determine how long you are willing to take trying to access the system. So how do you go about gathering information about your intended target?
This may bring up their contact information. If your target is an organization, then you can search for job openings that the company has advertised for, specifically in the IT department. You may be surprised to learn just how much useful information is given out in a job advert, for example, the software that potential recruits need to be familiar with.
As a hacker, you need to know which keywords will bring up the most information. Whois is a great way to perform a social engineering attack or scan a network. You can find the DNS servers of the target domain as well as the names and addresses of the people who registered the target domain.
Google Groups tends to store a lot of sensitive data about its users, for example, usernames, domain names, and IP addresses. Once you have done this, every file within the site that is publicly accessible will be downloaded onto your local hard drive.
This will allow you to scan the mirror copy and find names and email addresses of employees, files, directories, the source code for its web pages, and much more information. Websites By now you should be aware that there are certain websites that are a treasure trove of key information about individuals and organizations.
Good examples include www. Scanning the Target Network So far you have been collecting information that will allow you to see the entire target network as a whole. The hostnames, open ports, IP addresses and running applications should now be visible to you.
This short guidebook gives you all the basics you need to get started right away. Don't let malicious hackers take down your computer or web pages.
Get the skills you need to keep your devices and systems safe today. Kirimkan Ini lewat Email BlogThis! Label: best seller , books.
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