Most of the students, who are interested in computers, want to learn
hacking or want to be a hacker. But they always find it difficult how to
start and what to learn to be a hacker. Before thinking too much, you
need to know that there is a big difference in between hacking and
computer tricks. If you can apply 2-3 computer tricks, it does not make
you hacker. I have seen many people who can apply some VLC tricks, some
registry
tricks and then claim to be a hacker. Hacking is beyond the computer
tricks. You should know what is hacking. You should also know how to
think different and how to analyze things. In this post, we will discuss
all aspects of hacking and
how to be a hacker.
How To Be A Hacker
What is Hacking?
Hacking is the practice of getting unauthorized access of a system, network or resources. Hacking is the breaking
authentication and authorization.
Person involved in hacking is called hacker. Hacking is not always
illegal. Companies hire hackers to break their security to know the
security holes in their
security systems. This kind of hacking is called Ethical Hacking which is not done by legal cause.
There are few possible characteristics that makes one a hacker
- Person who thinks different
- Person interested in hacking and cracking
- Person who can learn programming quickly
- Person who enjoys doing programming rather than its theory
- Person who is loves computer and Internet
- Person interested in how computer things, website and network devices works
- Person who only use tools to break system or network and limited to the scope of tools is called cracker.
How to Start Learning to Be a Hacker
First of all, you need to know that there is no trick or overnight
process to be a hacker. I have got so many requests for Ethical hacking
tricks, Hacking tricks and tools but Hacking is beyond the tricks and
tools. Tricks and Tools are the small part of it. If you really want to
know how to be a hacker, you should follow many things with dedication
and practice so many things a lot.
Follow these things to be a hacker:
Decide What Hacker You Want to Be
Hacking is not a small area. You should decide your area of interest
like web hacking, network hacking or system hacking. You can learn all
but you can be master in only one of these.
Computer hacking
was most popular form of hacking. But, now people are more interested
in web hacking because all want to hack Gmail and Facebook. You can also
find easy to use automatic tools for website hacking. So, people
generally turn to web application hacking.
Learn Programming
Programming is the most important thing which you should learn. You
can learn C, Java, PHP, Python, JavaScript or other programming
languages. If you are good in programming, you will be able to create
your own scripts to help you while hacking. It also helps you in
analyzing things. If you are a good programmer, you can easily
understand how web application or software works. It helps you in
breaking it.
You should also learn Linux which is the favorite OS of hackers.
Either you are interested in network hacking or system hacking, Linux
helps a lot. After learning Linux, switch to BackTrack. BackTrack comes
with all latest penetration testing tools and
hacking tools.
Tools Have Limits, So Learn How Things Work
Before hacking an authentication and authorization, you should know
how it works. If you do not know how it works, you cannot break it.
Hacking tools have a limit. It can work only for the pre-defined cases.
Suppose an XSS tool, it can only find limited cases of XSS, for
complicated XSS, you should know how web application and JavaScript
works.
If you are into network hacking, you should learn how packet
transfers in network, how protocol works and how network devices works.
Similar cases are with web application and system. So, start exploring
how stuff works.
Buy Some Books to Help You in Initial Stages
There are many nice books are available which you can buy to learn
hacking. These books will guide you step wise step. You can follow these
books and start learning things.
Hacking books worth to buy
Books can only guide you. You should also try it in your system and practice things to be a master in it.
Subscribe Monthly Magazines of Security
You should also be interested in what is new in security world. For
this, you can either subscribe to security magazine or follow
security blogs. There are many popular blogs which can help you.
How Long it Takes to Be a Hacker
It depends on your talent. It depends on how quickly to start
learning things. You cannot learn things in a night. You need to have
patience and dedication. Learn things, apply and see how it works. Take
reference of books, join good forums and ask experts. In general it
takes 1 year to 2 year to be an expert in hacking.
Practice is the key factor. You cannot be a hacker just by reading
books and learning about tools theoretically. You should try to focus on
practical things. But never try things on big websites or
private networks. You may create trouble for you by doing this.
Do Certifications to start Career As Ethical Hacker
If you want to be an ethical hacker to start your career in hacking,
you can join some good security certifications curses. CEH is the most
basic certification by EC-Council. Other certifications are ECSA, CHFI,
CISSP and many others. There are many good institutes to help in
building career as security professional.
I am sure now you know how to be a hacker. Follow the above mentioned
things with dedication. Start learning things. If you have any
question, you can ask in comments.
