Various Hacking Techniques - Part I

 HACKING TECHNIQUES 

There are various hacking techniques performed by hackers to gain information about the target. The target can be a person, organization, or network. The information about the target is very necessary for performing an attack on the target. Some of the commonly used methods to gather information about the target are :

• Reconnaissance
• Social Engineering
• Network Scanning

Reconnaissance :

Reconnaissance is the process of gathering information about a target system, network, or organization with the goal of identifying potential vulnerabilities that can be exploited in a cyber attack. It is the first step in a cyber attack and involves collecting data about the target to gain an understanding of its architecture, security protocols, and potential entry points.

Types of Reconnaissance:

Passive Reconnaissance: 

        This type of reconnaissance involves collecting information about the target without interacting with it directly. This can be done through online research, social media, or other public sources of information.

Active Reconnaissance: 

        Active reconnaissance involves directly interacting with the target system or network to collect information. This can be done through port scanning, vulnerability scanning, or other methods that involve sending packets to the target system.

Physical Reconnaissance: 

        Physical reconnaissance involves physically observing the target to gather information about its security systems, access points, and other vulnerabilities. This can be done by visiting the physical location of the target, such as an office building or data center.

Social Engineering: 

        Social engineering is a type of reconnaissance that involves manipulating people to gain access to sensitive information. This can be done through phishing emails, phone calls, or other methods that involve tricking the target into sharing information.

Methods of Reconnaissance:

Network Scanning: 

        Network scanning involves scanning a target network to identify potential entry points, open ports, and vulnerabilities.

OSINT: 

        Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) involves gathering information about the target from publicly available sources, such as social media, company websites, or online forums.

Social Engineering: 

        Social engineering involves manipulating people to gain access to sensitive information. This can be done through phishing emails, phone calls, or other methods that involve tricking the target into sharing information.

Dumpster Diving: 

        Dumpster diving involves searching through trash or recycling bins to find information about the target. This can include sensitive documents, passwords, or other information that can be used to gain access to the target.

How to Prevent Reconnaissance:

Network Monitoring: 

        Organizations can monitor their networks for suspicious activity and potential reconnaissance attempts.

Access Controls: 

        Access controls can limit access to sensitive information and systems to authorized personnel only.

Strong Passwords: 

        Strong passwords and multi-factor authentication can prevent unauthorized access to systems or data.

Security Software: 

        Companies can use security software, such as firewalls and antivirus software, to detect and prevent reconnaissance attempts.

Social Engineering :

Social engineering is the art of manipulating people to perform actions or divulge sensitive information that would otherwise not be accessible. Social engineers take advantage of human emotions, psychological weaknesses, and social norms to gain access to systems, data, or personal information. It is a common tactic used by cybercriminals to gain access to sensitive information or systems.

Types of Social Engineering Attacks:

Phishing: 

        This is one of the most common social engineering attacks where attackers impersonate a legitimate entity to deceive the target into sharing sensitive information or clicking on a malicious link.

Pretexting: 

        This type of social engineering involves creating a fake scenario to trick the target into giving out sensitive information or performing an action that would benefit the attacker.

Baiting: 

        Baiting is a type of social engineering attack where attackers offer something attractive to the target, such as a free movie or game, to lure them into clicking on a malicious link or downloading a malware-infected file.

Tailgating: 

        This is a physical social engineering attack where attackers follow authorized personnel into restricted areas by pretending to be an employee, delivery person, or contractor.

Spear Phishing: 

        Spear phishing is a more targeted form of phishing where attackers gather information about the target to create a personalized attack that appears to be legitimate.

How to Prevent Social Engineering Attacks:

Awareness: 

        The first step in preventing social engineering attacks is to educate employees and users on the different types of attacks and how to spot them. Employees should be trained to verify the authenticity of emails and messages before sharing any sensitive information.

Strong Passwords: 

        Employees should be trained to use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication to prevent unauthorized access to systems or data.

Limited Access: 

        Access to sensitive data or systems should be limited to only authorized personnel.

Regular Updates: 

        Systems and software should be updated regularly to patch any vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers.

Security Software: 

        Companies should use security software, such as antivirus and firewalls, to protect against social engineering attacks.

Network Scanning :

Network scanning is the process of gathering information about a target network to identify potential vulnerabilities that can be exploited in a cyber attack. It is a critical step in the reconnaissance process and can help attackers identify weak points in a network's security architecture.

Types of Network Scanning:

Port Scanning: 

        Port scanning involves scanning a network to identify open ports and services. Attackers can use this information to identify potential vulnerabilities and plan their attacks.

Vulnerability Scanning: 

        Vulnerability scanning involves scanning a network to identify potential vulnerabilities, such as outdated software or weak passwords. Attackers can use this information to exploit these vulnerabilities and gain access to the network.

Host Discovery: 

        Host discovery involves identifying all the devices connected to a network. Attackers can use this information to identify potential targets and plan their attacks.

Operating System Identification: 

        Operating system identification involves identifying the operating system running on devices connected to the network. Attackers can use this information to identify potential vulnerabilities specific to that operating system.

Methods of Network Scanning:

Ping Scanning: 

        Ping scanning involves sending a series of ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) packets to identify devices connected to the network. This can help attackers identify potential targets for further scanning.

TCP/IP Scanning: 

        TCP/IP scanning involves sending packets to different ports on a network to identify open ports and services. This can help attackers identify potential vulnerabilities and plan their attacks.

Banner Grabbing: 

        Banner grabbing involves retrieving information about the services running on open ports. This can help attackers identify potential vulnerabilities and plan their attacks.

Operating System Fingerprinting: 

        Operating system fingerprinting involves analyzing network traffic to identify the operating system running on devices connected to the network. This can help attackers identify potential vulnerabilities specific to that operating system.

How to Prevent Network Scanning:

Firewall: 

        A firewall can help prevent unauthorized access to a network by blocking traffic from unauthorized sources.

Vulnerability Management: 

        Regular vulnerability scanning and patching can help prevent attackers from exploiting known vulnerabilities in a network.

Network Segmentation: 

        Network segmentation can limit the potential impact of a successful attack by isolating sensitive systems from the rest of the network.

Intrusion Detection System: 

        An intrusion detection system can help detect and prevent network scanning attempts by alerting administrators to suspicious activity.