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Hackers use hacking techniques to get unauthorized access to a computer or network system and exploit a digital device, computer system, or private network. Hacks can have a huge impact, by stealing personal information or installing malicious code. Hacking methods can also be used to do ethical hacking, which helps organizations find weaknesses in their cyber security.

Hacking techniques can help you get a job in cyber security because hacking ideas are so useful in testing cyber security defenses. Information security analyst jobs will grow by 33 percent over the next decade. In this article, we’ll share some resources on how to learn hacking, different forms of attacks that hackers use, and how to use hacker culture for good.

Best Hacking Technique Examples

Hackers use various hacking techniques to gain unauthorized access to computer systems or networks. There are different hacking techniques for different types of attacks, and the elderly are targeted more often than other age groups. Some forms of attack can be prevented by using a secure browser or installing good antivirus software on your device.

Phishing

Phishing is one of the most common hacking techniques. It is a social engineering attack to steal user data. In a phishing attack, the goal is to get a target to open an email or text message that includes a malicious link, which can install malicious code or reveal information. To get the user to open the email or text message, the hacker mimics commonly used websites and apps.

Bait and Switch

Bait and switch is a hacking technique where hackers buy advertising space on websites, imitate advertisements, and include a bad link that leads users to a page or website infected with malicious code or harmful programs. Sometimes, the link may lead to a genuine website but redirect you to a malicious site. The ads are usually designed to look like regular ads.

Cookie Theft

Cookies are files that store browsing information when you visit a website. Cookie theft is a common type of hacking where a hacker gets access to your device’s cookies to impersonate you. Hackers do this by manipulating a user’s IP Packet and using it to pass through the attacker’s machine. This only works if the website doesn’t have an SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificate.

Eavesdropping Attack

In an eavesdropping attack, a hacker listens to network communications to get personal information from a user. This is a passive attack that does not install harmful code on the computer. The target can be an email account, phone calls, banking transactions, or credit card history. This form of attack is done by black hat hackers or government agencies and usually targets governments and powerful people.

Keylogger

A keylogger is a malicious software program that logs keystrokes. Keystroke logging lets hackers record everything that is typed out on a computer keyboard, like passwords.

Software-based keyloggers are designed to monitor computer programs, while hardware-based keyloggers monitor keyboards and smartphone sensors.

ClickJacking Attacks

ClickJacking, also known as UI Redress, is a type of attack where the hacker uses a fake user interface to trick a user into clicking another link. The hacker can use the fake interface to trick the user into downloading harmful code, providing personal information, or visiting a malicious website. This form of attack is commonly used to earn advertising money through movie streaming sites, in-app downloads, and torrent websites.

Denial of Service (DoS\DDoS) Attacks

A Denial of Service attack, usually called DOS, is a form of attack used to shut down a machine or network, making it unavailable to users. In this brute force attack, your web server is flooded with enough requests to overload it and cause it to crash. This common type of attack uses botnets or zombie computers.

Fake WAP

WAP stands for ‘wireless access point.’ This hacking technique lets hackers access your data by creating a fake WAP that connects to the official WAP of a public network that you’re using, say at your local coffee shop. Hackers give the public wireless network an official name to get users to connect to it.

How to Protect Yourself From Common Hacking Techniques

1. Be careful when using public networks. Don’t send any personal information over public WiFi networks. This includes making financial transactions through banking apps. Wait until you are connected to a secure internet connection.
2. Only download verified apps. Make sure any app you download comes from a verified source. Hackers can create realistic-looking apps that install a malicious program on your device or steal your user credentials for another app.
3. Check website verification. Before you put any personal information into a website, check for a verification certificate. In most browsers, this is a padlock icon on the side of the address bar.
4. Use a unique password for every site. Don’t ever reuse passwords for multiple accounts. If a hacker steals your one password, they can access all of your personal accounts. Use a secure password manager to help you keep track of all your passwords.
5. Don’t click on links or download files from unknown senders. Hackers use social engineering to create emails and text messages that look real and are interesting to you. The goal is to make you want to click a link or download a file to install malicious code.

Hacking Ideas: Top 5 Tips to Master Hacking

Hacking requires a lot of practice and techniques are always changing as cyber security adapts to common types of attacks. Keeping your identity hidden requires a great deal of skill to cover any traces of your attempts to access a device or network. Below are some tips to master hacking.

Learn How to Program

To master hacking, you need to learn a few of the most popular programming languages for ethical hacking. These languages are used to write the code that makes devices and computer networks run. Hackers need to understand the framework that all devices run on so they can infiltrate it.

Stay Anonymous

To have a successful career as a hacker, you need to learn to be anonymous. Being a hacker involves the ability to cover all traces and ensure that no one can backtrace or find you. You should learn to hide your identity online without anyone being able to find you. This is important even if you get a job in ethical hacking.