Q&A for How to Become a Qualified and Professional Ethical Hacker

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How can I build skills as a hacker to test web security?

Tyrone Showers
Technologist
Tyrone Showers is a Technologist and the Co-owner of Taliferro Group, an IT consulting company based in Seattle, Washington. With over 35 years of professional experience, he specializes in API Design, e-Commerce, Operational Efficiency, and website development. He has a B.S. in Computer Science from DeVry Institute of Technology.

Tyrone Showers

Technologist

Expert Answer

To build skills as a hacker requires a lot of trial and error. The best way is to dive into the intricacies of web technologies and protocols. Understanding the underpinnings of web protocols like HTTP/2 and HTTP/3 can provide unique insights into potential security vulnerabilities. The newer protocols have nuances that have yet to be widely understood, potentially opening up new avenues for security testing. Exploring browser internals, such as how JavaScript engines work and their rendering processes, can provide a clear perspective on how web applications interact with browsers. Attaining this knowledge can help identify security flaws. For example, a deep dive into the Document Object Model (DOM) or Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) is often overlooked. Understanding how APIs are constructed and the common security oversights helps uncover vulnerabilities.

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How can a hacker be placed in a government job?

Community Answer

Government jobs look for hackers with professional wit, knowledge and skill in protecting their networks from exploits and other intrusions. Hackers who solve cyber crimes can work as a cyber security analyst. There are also Certified Ethical Hacker courses designed to teach students additional hacking skills.

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Where do I start if I want to become an ethical hacker?

Chris Sdogkos

Community Answer

If you want to become an ethical hacker, you should learn a programming language first.

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What are all the software and tools I need to start the hacking process, and is it okay with Windows, or should I change OS?

Community Answer

Kali Linux OS was designed for hacking purposes, and has all the tools you need.

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How do I become a black hat hacker?

Community Answer

A black hat hacker is not recommended, though the process for becoming one is basically the same as it is for white hat hackers. Keep in mind that black hat hackers are often sentenced to prison.

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Is a master's degree mandatory for becoming an ethical hacker?

Community Answer

No, a degree is not mandatory to be an ethical hacker.

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How do I start from the beginning?

Community Answer

Security+ is the ground of security. Its pretty much your IT recon in the security field

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What are the qualifications needed to be an ethical hacker?

Community Answer

There are no specific qualifications, but you should understand basic ethics.

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Question

Is maths compulsory in class 10 to join an ethical hacking course?

Community Answer

No, maths is not compulsory.

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What do I do next if I have completed my CCNA and CEH to be an ethical hacker?

Community Answer

CCNP and then CISSP and OSCP would be a great thing to add to your skillset after you have achieved your CCNA and CEH. Security+ and Linux + would be great too.

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What A levels are required to become an ethical hacker?

Ishaqfaheem

Community Answer

There are no levels required for hacking. You just have to learn a programming language.

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What websites can I learn hacking online?

Community Answer

There are many sites out there. The first site I would recommend is w3schools.com or htmldog.com. And to test out your skills, there is hackthissite.com and hackthis.co.uk.

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Is engineering necessary for hacking?

Community Answer

No, it is not necessary.

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Is it compulsory to become an ethical hacker to get certified in CCNA?

Community Answer

No, Is it not compulsory to become an ethical hacker to be certified in CCNA. Instead, you need a CEH certificate.

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What academic stream should I take to become an ethical hacker?

Community Answer

You can take any stream with Mathematics as a major subject (taking computers as an optional subject is recommended).

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Question

What types of jobs are available for an ethical hacker?

Community Answer

You can be hired by companies like Facebook and Google to check their coding and find bugs. Or you can be hired by Government sectors to improve the security of their websites.

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What is the procedure to become a hacker? Do I have to go to university?

Community Answer

University is not required. You can start learning to hack by sitting in your home. There are many online tutorials on YouTube. You can learn from any ethical hacking videos there.

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What field of education should be studied to be an ethical hacker?

Community Answer

Learn computer science in university, as it helps in developing programming skills. After you gain good knowledge, you can be an ethical hacker and can work for some good companies to check their security.

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Question

What's the best language for cyber security?

Community Answer

Python, Perl, HTML, CSS and Java are the most important.

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What is a beginner's first steps for starting with computer hacking?

Community Answer

Seek to gain a very solid knowledge about how computers work. Learn about things like sharing of emails, how you upload and download files, file pathways, etc. Then, develop a good typing speed. Learn how to use any software; then learn a programming language. Also have a good understanding of any operating system like Linux, Ubuntu, Parrot, etc.

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