Ethical hacking, also known as penetration testing or white-hat hacking, involves legally and systematically probing computer systems, networks, and applications to identify security vulnerabilities. Ethical hackers use their skills to uncover potential threats and weaknesses that malicious hackers could exploit. By doing so, they help organizations strengthen their security measures, protect sensitive data, and ensure the integrity and reliability of their IT infrastructure. This proactive approach is crucial in today’s digital landscape, where cyber threats are continually evolving and becoming more sophisticated.
Ethical Hacking Three-Month Course Syllabus
Week 1: Introduction to Ethical Hacking
- Overview of ethical hacking and its importance
- Legal and ethical considerations
- Types of hackers: white-hat, black-hat, gray-hat
- Hacking methodologies and frameworks
Week 2: Networking Fundamentals
- OSI and TCP/IP models
- Basic network topologies and devices
- IP addressing and subnetting
- Common network protocols
Week 3: Network Security Basics
- Firewalls, IDS/IPS, and VPNs
- Understanding wireless network security
- Basic network security configurations
Week 4: Reconnaissance Techniques
- Passive and active reconnaissance
- Tools for information gathering
- Network scanning tools (Nmap, Netcat)
Week 5: Vulnerability Analysis
- Types of vulnerabilities (software, hardware, network)
- Common vulnerability databases (CVE, NVD)
- Vulnerability scanning tools (Nessus, OpenVAS)
Week 6: System Hacking Techniques
- Exploiting system vulnerabilities
- Password cracking techniques and tools (John the Ripper, Hashcat)
- Maintaining access: backdoors, rootkits
Week 7: Web Application Security I
- Common web application attacks (SQL Injection, XSS, CSRF)
- Using web application testing tools (Burp Suite, OWASP ZAP)
- Conducting web application security assessments
Week 8: Web Application Security II
- Secure coding practices: input validation, output encoding
- Authentication and session management best practices
- Real-world web application security case studies
Week 9: Wireless Network Security
- Wi-Fi standards and encryption protocols
- Wireless network attacks (WEP/WPA/WPA2 cracking, deauthentication attacks)
- Wireless security tools (Aircrack-ng suite, Kismet)
Week 10: Social Engineering
- Understanding social engineering attacks (phishing, pretexting, baiting)
- Techniques for social engineering
- Tools for social engineering (Social-Engineer Toolkit)
Week 11: Penetration Testing Frameworks
- Penetration testing methodologies (OSSTMM, PTES)
- Using the Metasploit framework
- Automated vs. manual testing tools
Week 12: Cryptography Basics
- Basic concepts of encryption and decryption
- Common cryptographic algorithms
- Applications of cryptography in security
Week 13: Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs)
- Understanding APTs and their lifecycle
- Techniques for detecting and mitigating APTs
- Case studies of notable APTs
Week 14: Mobile Device Security
- Security considerations for Android and iOS
- Mobile penetration testing tools and techniques
- Protecting mobile devices from common threats
Week 15: Cloud Security
- Security challenges in cloud environments
- Cloud service models and security implications
- Penetration testing in cloud infrastructure
Week 16: Reporting and Documentation
- Writing detailed penetration testing reports
- Communicating findings and recommendations
- Creating action plans based on assessment results
Week 17-18: Capstone Project
- Comprehensive project to apply learned skills
- Real-world scenario simulation
- Presentation and critique sessions
Week 19-20: Review and Final Assessment
- Review of all modules
- Hands-on labs and practical exams
- Final written and practical assessments
