The Art of Ethical Hacking: How Hackers Think & How to Defend Against Them

** How Hackers Think: The Attacker’s Mindset **

To defend against hackers, you need to think like one. Ethical hackers follow the five-phase attack methodology, which helps them find vulnerabilities before malicious hackers do.

 **  Reconnaissance (Footprinting & Gathering Info) **

Hackers gather information about a target (company, website, or person).
Tools used: Google Dorking, Maltego, Shodan, Nmap

  ** Scanning & Enumeration **

Attackers scan for open ports, services, and vulnerabilities.
Tools used: Nmap, Nessus, Metasploit

   ** Gaining Access (Exploitation) **

Hackers use exploits to gain unauthorized access.
Techniques: SQL Injection, XSS, Buffer Overflow, Brute Force
Tools: Metasploit, Burp Suite, SQLmap

   ** Maintaining Access (Persistence)**

Hackerplant backdoors & rootkits to keep control.
Tools: Netcat, Mimikatz, Empire

   ** Covering tracks (Hiding Evidence) **

Attackers delete logs, encrypt files, and use anonymous proxies.
Key Takeaway:
Hackers follow a structured approach to break into systems
Ethical hackers use the same approach but legally test security.

  **Common Hacking Techniques & How to Defend Against Them **

1. Phishing Attacks

2. SQL Injection (SQLi)

3. Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) Attack