Ethical Hacking
Ethical hacking, also known as penetration testing or white-hat hacking, is the practice of legally and systematically probing computer systems, networks, and applications to identify security vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them. It involves using the same tools and techniques as malicious hackers but with authorized access and the goal of improving security defenses. This process helps organizations protect sensitive data, comply with regulations, and prevent cyberattacks.
Developers should learn ethical hacking to build more secure software by understanding common attack vectors like SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and buffer overflows, which directly informs secure coding practices. It is essential for roles in cybersecurity, DevOps with security responsibilities, and any development work involving sensitive data or critical infrastructure. Use cases include conducting security assessments, implementing robust authentication systems, and responding to security incidents in tech, finance, healthcare, and government sectors.