Updated on Sep 25, 2024 12:25 IST
Anshuman Singh

Anshuman SinghSenior Executive - Content

Introduction to Ethical Hacking

Scanning a computer or network for faults and potential threats may be broadly defined as Ethical Hacking. An ethical hacker finds and informs the organisation about loopholes or vulnerabilities in a computer system, web application, or network. In today's age of information and technology, when nearly all organisations rely on cloud storage and support, cybercrime has become rampant globally. The attacks evolve and get complicated, resulting in security breaches and extortion. As more organisations turn to e-commerce and cloud computing, Ethical Hacking can shield against potential security threats and breaches. Thus, cybersecurity employment is becoming one of the fastest-growing positions with significant vacancies, attracting many students to take courses in Ethical Hacking.

Syllabus - Important Facts for Ethical Hacking

  • Sc. in Cyber security: B.Sc. in Cyber Security is a 3-year undergraduate degree course that focuses on introducing the field of Ethical Hacking, dealing with cybersecurity management and security threat analysis.
  • Tech Cyber Security: It is a 4-year undergraduate degree course where students learn about cybersecurity, mentoring students regarding maintaining digital documents and investigating data breaches. It follows an entrance based admission, and candidates are shortlisted based on JEE Mains.
  • Scope in India: Information technology security requirements are rapidly increasing, with the demand scaling as high as 60,000 employees. Reputed firms like Google, Wipro, Dell, Accenture, and IBM actively recruit eligible candidates to reinforce cybersecurity.
  • Ethical Hacking syllabus in IITs: The Certified Ethical Hacking Course at IITs is a 6-week training period that provides hands-on experience in ethically penetrating network systems and safeguarding any gaps or leaks. The course covers all the latest developments in operating systems in mobile and web technologies.
  • General Examination Pattern: Generally, students have to appear for a 4-hour test with 125 multiple-choice questions. A candidate is expected to score between 60 and 85% to qualify for the exam.

Scope of Ethical Hacking:

Ethical Hacking is typically used in conjunction with penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities and flaws in a security system and take countermeasures against those attacks. Risk assessment, auditing and fraud detection need Ethical Hacking.

List of Subjects in Ethical Hacking

The space below mentions the list of subjects that are included in Ethical Hacking courses. We have furnished Typical Core Subjects for Ethical Hacking and Typical Elective Subjects for Ethical Hacking in two separate tables below:

Typical Core Subjects for Ethical Hacking

Subject title

Subject details

Cyber Ethics-Hacking

Ethical Hacking is a legal attempt to obtain unauthorised access to databases, systems or apps. Ethical hackers replicate the techniques and behaviours of hostile attackers.

Information Gathering

For a better penetration-testing experience, every penetration-tester (pen-tester) and hacker should learn the art of information collecting. Analysts utilise this strategy to figure out what clients and users want.

Scanning

Scanning is swiftly sweeping a text to locate specific information, such as figures or names.

Google Hacking Database

The Google Hacking Database (GHDB) is a collection of Google hacking search phrases discovered to uncover sensitive data that vulnerable servers and web apps have exposed.

Virus, Worms – Virus Analysis

A study about the major function of this sort of malware is to self-replicate and infect other computers while remaining active on infected systems. A computer worm replicates itself to infect machines that are not already infested.

Trojans and Backdoors

A study on malicious software programmes that provide unauthorised access to a computer to launch a remote assault. Remote attackers can use a hacked machine to send commands or gain complete control.

Sniffers and Keyloggers

Studies a virus that discreetly records users’ keystrokes on a computer or mobile device. Malware authors can readily extract entered information such as passwords, bank account numbers, messages to friends, and credit card details typed on payment pages in this fashion.

Social Engineering

Various nefarious activities carried out through human interactions are social engineering. It uses psychological manipulation to make users commit security mistakes or reveal sensitive information. The attacks are carried out via a series of steps.

Email, DNS, IP Spoofing

DNS poisoning and spoofing use DNS server flaws to redirect traffic away from real servers toward false ones. You may be perplexed about how to resolve a bogus page, even though you are the only one who can.

System Hacking and Security

System hacking is the breach of computer systems and software to access the target machine and steal or misuse sensitive data. The malware and the attacker find and exploit the computer system's vulnerability to acquire illegal access.

HoneyPots

A honeypot is a security feature that simulates an attack and lures attackers into it. An attacker can exploit weaknesses on a deliberately compromised computer system, allowing you to analyse them and enhance your security practices.

 Typical Elective Subjects for Ethical Hacking

Subject title

Subject details

Scanning

Scanning is the second phase of information gathering used by hackers to scale up a network after footprinting and reconnaissance. Ethical hackers who try to prevent assaults on an organisation's infrastructure and data use network scans as a vital tool in their toolbox.

Google Hacking Database

The GHDB is a database of search queries (dorks) used by pentesters and security researchers to retrieve publicly available information.

Virus, Worms – Virus Analysis

Hackers have a variety of abilities, including programming and computer networking. To gain access to systems, they frequently employ these abilities. Targeting an organisation would have the goal of stealing confidential data, disrupting corporate operations, or physically damaging computer-controlled equipment. Trojans, viruses and worms are utilised to achieve the legitimate goal.

Social Engineering

Hackers employ social engineering to deceive end-users and gather information about a company or its computer systems. IT security professionals must understand social engineering and how social engineering attacks are planned to safeguard their networks.

Email, DNS, IP spoofing

IP spoofing is a malicious attack in which the threat actor hides the true source of IP packets to make it more difficult to figure out where they came from. The attacker sends packets with a different source IP address to mimic a different computer system, conceal the sender's identity, or both.

System Hacking & Security

Hackers gain access to individual machines on a network through system hacking. To detect, avoid, and counter these types of assaults, ethical hackers master system hacking.

 Detailed Syllabus for Ethical Hacking

Network security officers and practitioners, site administrators, IS/IT specialists and analysts, IS/IT auditors, IT operations managers, IT security officers, network specialists, technical support engineers, senior systems engineers, and systems analysts will benefit from this Ethical Hacking course.

Semester

Core/Elective

Subject title

Subject Details

1.

Introduction to Ethical Hacking

Information Security Overview

It is a foundational course detailing Aspen and iLabs, essential terminology, various elements of information security, functionality, and its usability.

Some parts of the syllabus include:

  • Hacking concepts
  • Ethical Hacking concepts
  • Information security controls
  • Penetration testing concepts
  • Information security laws and standards

2.

Footprinting and Reconnaissance

Footprinting Concepts

Footprinting and reconnaissance detail the footprinting process of gathering information about a target network and how it can be prevented.

Some parts of the syllabus include:

  • Basic footprinting concepts
  • Footprinting through search engines
  • Website footprinting
  • Email footprinting
  • DNS footprinting
  • Network footprinting
  • Footprinting through social engineering
  • Footprinting tools

Specialisations Offered in Ethical Hacking

There are many similar courses to learn about Ethical Hacking that provide students with the same type of employment. Before applying to any of them, one must understand the eligibility criteria. Below is a list of the most popular specialisations in Ethical Hacking:

Specialisation

Subjects

Details

B.Sc. in Cyber Security

Cyberspace and the Law

Securing Web Application

Services and Servers

Big Data & IoT Security Penetration testing

Virtualisation and Cloud Security

Cryptography & Information Security

Cyber Threat and Modelling

Penetration Testing and Incident Handling

Cyber Forensics

Intrusion Detection and Prevention

Artificial Intelligence In Cybersecurity

Auditing IT Infrastructures for Compliance

Parallel and Distributed Computing

Operating System & system programming

Malware Analysis

Vulnerability Analysis

Cyber Law and Ethics

The duration of this course is 3 years, where students gain training in business and technical skills like system administration, database applications and recovery.  

B.Sc. Networking

Computer Hardware and Networking Technologies

Network Operating Systems

Designing

Configuring

Troubleshooting Windows Server 2008 Network

Designing and Administering Cisco Internetworks Infrastructure

Designing and Implementing Wi-Fi and VoIP Networks

Configuring Electronic Security

Systems in IT Networks

Information Security and Ethical Hacking

Management Skills

The duration of this course is 3 years, in which students learn applied comprehension and best innovation in administering systems for remote and portable systems. I 

B.Tech CSE

Applied Mathematics

Computer Graphics

Operating Systems

Introduction to Programming

Database Management Systems

Object-Oriented Programming

Data Structure and Algorithm

Java Programming

Electrical Technology

Computer Network

Artificial Intelligence

Digital Communication

Microprocessor and Microcontroller

Software Testing and Quality Assurance

Web Engineering

Information Security

Machine Learning

Algorithm Design and Analysis

Industrial Management

Wireless Communication

The course duration is 4 years. Its goal is to give students a thorough understanding of computer technology and functional processes and programming, coding and Web and database development.  This course focuses on hands-on learning and allows students to explore computing technology while instilling an important desire to innovate.

B.Tech Cyber Security

Computer Networks

Principles of Operating System

Artificial Intelligence

Web Technologies

Cybercrime, network security, data structures, design and analysis of algorithms, cryptography, and intrusion detection and prevention systems are all covered in BTech cyber security. The course is usually 4 years long, with 8 semesters. Students can earn points depending on their performance in theory and practical tests and the project they are working on.

M.Tech CSE

VLSI Design

Operating Systems and System Programming

Machine Learning

Internet Technology

Principles of Programming Language

Distributed Database Systems

Artificial Intelligence

Software Testing

Computational Number Theory

Mobile Computing

Design and Analysis of Algorithm

Advanced Software Engineering

Parallel Computing

Cryptography and Network Security

Data Warehouse and Data Mining

A master's degree in computer science typically takes two years to complete and is divided into four semesters. Mtech is a more application-based subject with a more practical approach.

M.Tech in Information Security

Advanced problem-solving

Computer networks

Scripting

Network security

Discrete mathematics

Operating systems

Principles of information security

Information security

Information security audit assurance

Master of Technology Information Security is a master's degree programme in information technology management. Information Security and Assurance will give you the skills to safeguard networks, communications, and data and the knowledge you will need to develop, implement and manage enterprise-level security and system integrity.

M.Tech Network and Information Security

Cyber & Information Security

Advanced Algorithms

Distributed Systems

Advanced Computer Networks

The Master of Technology in Computer Network and Information Security programme is a two-year postgraduate programme. Candidates must have a BE, BTech, CS, IT, MCA, or MSc degree from a recognised institution with a minimum of 60%. Applicants must take the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering entrance examination (GATE). The candidates' GATE exam scores are used in the selection process.

M.Sc. in Cyber Security

Digital Securities

Malware Analysis

Cryptography and Secure Communication

Malware Analysis in Virtual Machine

Cyber Crime Issues and Investigation

Digital Forensics

Python programming

String and File Manipulation

Network Programming

Using Modules and Data Structures

Scapy – A Python Tool for Security Testing

Ethical Hacking

To be eligible for the MSc Cyber Security course, the candidate must have earned a BSc or BE/BTech degree in Computer Science, IT, Cyber Security, or any other equivalent degree from a recognised university. The course delves into every area of cyber security, Ethical Hacking, data encryption and hacker prevention. Digital Security, Cryptography, Digital Forensics, Malware Functionality and other topics are covered.

 Books and Authors Related to Ethical Hacking

Here is a handpicked list of the Top 10 Ethical Hacking Books that should be in any ethical hacker's collection, from beginner to advanced.

Subject

Book title

Authors

Description of the Book

Ethical Hacking and Network Defence

Hands-on Ethical Hacking and Network Defence

by James Corley

It is a beginner's book; best to learn hacking, especially for those new to networking, security, and hacking. Simple language and extensive explanations make it beginner-friendly. It is mostly a theory book with minimal focus on implementation or methods. You can get a high-level overview of hacking principles, such as security testing, various tools, penetration testing methodologies, mobile security and network security.

Basics of Hacking

The Basics of Hacking and Penetration Testing

Patrick Engebretson

Backtrack and Kali Linux, Nmap, Social-Engineer Toolkit, Netcat, and many more technologies are covered in this book. The book is well-organised, and it takes you through each topic step by step. It is a comprehensive Ethical Hacking book for beginners.

Security Flaws

The Web Application Hacker’s Handbook: Finding and Exploiting Security Flaws

Dafydd Stuttard

This is one of the most well-known and financially successful hacking books. The book is comprehensive in its coverage of website security that takes a practical approach. The author forces you to think at every step. There are numerous real-world best practices and scenarios in the book. The book is well-organised, with the first few chapters covering main web components and potential vulnerabilities, followed by chapters on hacking sessions, databases, and other systems.

Python Programming

Black Hat Python: Python Programming for Hackers and Pentesters

Justin Seitz

The book is written in Python 2 and focuses on using Python to create successful hacking tools. The book digs into each approach in depth and puts you to the test on various levels. It can be used as a reference and a learning starting point.

Hacking

Hacking: The Art of Exploitation

Jon Erickson

This intermediate hacking book takes a unique approach to hacking. Aside from networking and security, the author emphasises the need to have a strong technological foundation and explains how obscure hacking approaches work. This hands-on and practical book explores numerous hacking areas while working through examples. The author emphasises the importance of thinking like a hacker, being creative, and looking into areas never explored before.

Web Applications

The Tangled Web: A Guide to Securing Modern Web Applications

Michal Zalewski

This manual is thorough, and it also presents an engaging and exciting text. As a reader, you can connect to many of the events addressed in the book because we all use the internet for various reasons. It is a sobering reminder of how vulnerable our data is and the flaws that allow for large-scale hacking. The book also provides solutions to these issues using various tools and strategies.

Penetration Testing- Ethical Hacking

Penetration Testing – A Hands-On Introduction to Hacking

Georgia Weidman

The book outlines the basic skills and procedures that every pentester should be familiar with. As the title suggests, the book offers many examples, practical training using tools, and a machine-based lab. You will be able to fully comprehend how a hacker gains access to security systems and cracks network keys and passwords.

Coding

Exploiting Software: How to Break Code

Greg Hoglund and Gary R. McGraw

The book is technical, yet it is written in a way that is both knowledgeable and instructional. It is for people who have a basic understanding of reverse engineering and exploitation but want to delve deeper into black hat techniques for exploiting software flaws. The book focuses on attack patterns, something we haven't seen covered in such depth in any other book. The author provides numerous examples and case studies that are contemporary.

Penetration testing

Advanced Penetration Testing: Hacking the World’s Most Secure Networks

Wil Allsopp

The book goes over several difficult scenarios and how to deal with them. This course is designed for professionals who wish to think like professional hackers and conduct pen tests on highly secure networks. Many of the book examples use C, Java, JavaScript, VBA, Windows Scripting Host, Flash, and other programming languages. The author introduces you to various scanning tools and common library programmes in these languages.

Ethical Hacking

Gray Hat Hacking: The Ethical Hacker's Handbook, Fifth Edition

Allen Harper

It is a well-written, fascinating book with a clean and concise style. Although some concepts are brief, the information regarding Ethical Hacking, networking, and cybersecurity is adequate.

Entrance Exams for Ethical Hacking Courses

The eligibility criteria and the admission process for courses and degrees in Ethical Hacking vary for every college or university. Some Ethical Hacking course entrance exams are as below:

  • VITMEE: Those seeking admission to a postgraduate programme can take the VIT Master's Entrance Examination. It is held only once a year and is organised by the Vellore Institute of Technology. It provides M.Tech, MCA, and Integrated PhD programmes.
  • GATE: GATE is held by the IITs. The examination is a once-a-year national level examination. Even in their third year of a Bachelor's degree, students who want to pursue a Master's in Engineering programme can apply for the GATE examination.
  • IPU CET: Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University administers IPUCET, a university-level test. The exam allows students to apply for admission to various undergraduate and graduate programmes. Before registering for an exam, it is necessary to check the eligibility requirements.

Syllabus for Distance Programme in Ethical Hacking

The Delhi Institute of Computer Courses (DICC) has established customised training programmes for students from across India who want to improve their Ethical Hacking skills. Their Ethical Hacking experts, having years of experience in information security and Ethical Hacking, shall conduct live question-answer sessions through Skype. It is India's first distance learning institute offering distance learning Ethical Hacking lessons. Attendees will learn to secure their online assets from hackers and understand the many types of hacking after completing our distance learning Ethical Hacking curriculum.

The Ethical Hacking Distance Learning Course covers a range of topics like Introduction to Ethical Hacking, Google Database Hacking, Operating System Hacking & Security, Proxy Server & VPN Technology, Social Engineering, and Honeypots, among many others.

Top Colleges for Ethical Hacking

Around 160 institutions provide various Ethical Hacking certifications, such as degree, diploma and certificate programmes. These are the few top institutions that offer courses in Ethical Hacking:

College/University/Institution

Links

IIT Kanpur

To be uploaded soon

SRM University Chennai

To be uploaded soon

LPU Jalandhar

To be uploaded soon

REVA University, Bangalore

To be uploaded soon

HITS Chennai

To be uploaded soon

Amrita School of Engineering, Coimbatore

To be uploaded soon

CVR College of Engineering, Hyderabad

To be uploaded soon

Amity University Gurgaon

To be uploaded soon

BIT Durg

To be uploaded soon

Manav Rachna University, Faridabad

To be uploaded soon

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What courses are required for Ethical Hacking?

A: Here are some of the most important courses with Ethical Hacking themes and skills:
  • Computer Architecture
  • Computer Proficiency
  • Reverse Engineering
  • Linux Programming
  • Basic Hardware Knowledge
  • Cryptography
  • Database

Q: What is the CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)?

A: CEH stands for Certified Ethical Hacker, an Ec-Council credential. It has a coveted globally-recognised Ethical Hacking certification curriculum. It determines how well-versed a person is in Ethical Hacking.

Q: What should you learn first about Ethical Hacking?

A: The first and most important step in learning Ethical Hacking is to master the foundations and essentials. You can begin with the fundamentals of information security.

Q: What is the best way to get started with Ethical Hacking?

A: To begin Ethical Hacking, you must first understand the basics of Ethical Hacking. You can learn them by enrolling in an Ethical Hacking Course and becoming certified. Ec-Certified Council's Ethical Hacker is one of these globally recognised qualifications.

Q: What is the Ethical Hacking curriculum, and how can I learn it online?

A: Ethical Hacking has a large syllabus that is relevant to cyber security. You may learn it through Udemy, Coursera, Simplilearn, and other online courses. To study Ethical Hacking, you must first complete the following steps:
  • Resources should be researched and prepared
  • Learn the basics of Linux, Windows, Web applications, Python, server administration, networking and more
  • Metasploit, Nmap, Burp suite, Wappalyzer, Cain and Abel and other Ethical Hacking tools are covered
  • Vulnerable Machines, such as OverTheWire, DVWA, PicoCTF, VulnHub and others are discussed

Q: What is the core Ethical Hacking curriculum?

A: The most crucial thing for beginners in Ethical Hacking is understanding information security fundamentals. Aside from those, you can learn about the following topics:
  • Hardware and fundamentals of computers
  • Programming (Python/ Java/ C) basics of operating systems and Windows/Linux Computer Networking and Security
  • Web-based technologies
Server fundamentals

Q: Is it possible for me to teach myself Ethical Hacking?

A: Yes, you can teach yourself Ethical Hacking. The following are some of the subjects you will need to cover:
  • Concepts and Technologies in Security Computer Proficiency
  • VLANs, MAC addressing, IPv4, IPv6, and Public v Private IP Routers and Switches, OSI model Virtualisation Databases, ARP, DHCP, NAT, DNS, and Subnetting
  • TCP/IP Wireshark or Tcpdump Cryptography Web Applications Digital Forensics Linux wireless communication technologies scripting

Q: In college, what do hackers study?

A: Ethical Hacking certification courses, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate courses, are available. Ethical Hacking is a specialisation covered by Cyber Security, Networking, CSE, and Information Technology at the bachelor's and master's levels. The three important themes covered in college hacking courses are Ethical Hacking, website hacking and security and mobile and wireless security.

Q: What are the basic hacking steps in Ethical Hacking?

A: The following are the basic steps in Ethical Hacking: Scanning for Reconnaissance, Getting Access, Keeping Access and Clearing the Track.

Q: What is the Certified Ethical Hacker curriculum?

A: There are 20 modules in the Certified Ethical Hacker course. Introduction to Ethical Hacking, Footprinting and Reconnaissance, and Scanning Networks are only a few of the subjects covered. Enumeration, system hacking, malware threats, sniffing, social engineering, and various other attacks are all possible.

Q: Who are some of the most well-known recruiters of ethical hackers?

A: Some ethical hacker recruiters include:
  • Infosys
  • Wipro Technologies Ltd.
  • Ernst & Young
  • Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.
  • Deloitte India
  • WhiteHat Jr.
  • Genpact

Q: What is an Ethical Hacker's average salary?

A: An Ethical Hacker's average annual pay is Rs. 502,886.

Q: What skills do you need to pursue Ethical Hacking?

A: The following skills are required to pursue Ethical Hacking course:
  • Knowledge of Microsoft        
  • Knowledge of Linux
  • Programming Skills    
  • Technical Skills
  • Computer Skills

Q: What are the requirements for pursuing a UG or PG programme in Ethical Hacking?

A student must have completed 10+2 from a recognised board to pursue an undergraduate degree in Ethical Hacking. A bachelor's degree is required to enrol in a postgraduate programme in Ethical Hacking.

Popular Ethical Hacking Colleges in India

Following are the most popular Ethical Hacking Colleges in India. Learn more about these Ethical Hacking colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
2 K
3.99 L
1 Course
20 K
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Popular Private Ethical Hacking Colleges in India

3.22 L - 3.8 L
2 K
3.99 L
1 Course
20 K
0

Popular Ethical Hacking UG Courses

Following are the most popular Ethical Hacking UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

UG Courses

Popular Ethical Hacking PG Courses

Following are the most popular Ethical Hacking PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

PG Courses

Popular Exams

Following are the top exams for Ethical Hacking. Students interested in pursuing a career on Ethical Hacking, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.

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