Do you have an interest in computers and technology? Are you always looking for ways to stay one step ahead of the bad guys? If so, then you may want to consider becoming an ethical hacker! Ethical hackers are computer security professionals who use their skills to protect organizations from cyber attacks. In this blog post, we will discuss five easy steps that will help you become an ethical hacker!

What is an Ethical Hacker?

An ethical hacker is a computer security professional who uses their skills to protect organizations from cyber attacks. Ethical hackers are also known as white hat hackers, and they differ from black hat hackers in that they adhere to a code of ethics.

They are essential in the modern world because as technology evolves, so do the methods that cybercriminals use to exploit vulnerabilities. Businesses need ethical hackers to help ensure that malicious hackers do not compromise them. As an ethical hacker, your job will be to hack into systems and find vulnerabilities before criminals can exploit them.

In essence, you’re basically hacking a computer system as you would if you were a criminal hacker, but you’re being paid by the company you’re hacking to tell them then what you did, identifying areas for them to improve their security.

Step #1 – Determine if you have the right skills and qualities.

The first step in becoming an ethical hacker is determining if you have what it takes! You must be well-versed in cybersecurity, as well as computer programming languages such as C++ or Python. It’s also important to be creative and have a strong interest in technology.

You’ll want some kind of experience in computers beforehand, perhaps with systems management or networking interfaces. If you don’t have this experience and are looking to start from scratch, then many online resources will take you through the basics of ethical hacking before you get started in your career.

Step #02 – Get certified.

The next step is to get certified! Many different ethical hacking certifications are available, such as the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and the Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP). It’s important to choose a certification that meets your needs and goals.

Companies are only really going to be interested in hackers who have gone through the process and jumped through the right hoops to prove that you not only have the skills to be an ethical hacker but also the right morals.

This is important because even as an ethical hacker, you’ll have potential access to a ton of sensitive information which the company is trying to protect from being stolen. There have been stories of ethical hackers that hack a company and get paid for their data but also steal the information and make money off it.

If you’re caught doing something like this, you will lose everything, and you’ll never be able to secure a job in this sector again.

Step #03 – Acquire experience and skills through training courses.

The final step is to acquire experience and skills through training courses! There are many different ethical hacking training courses available, but it’s essential to choose a course that meets your needs and goals. You can also learn from online resources like YouTube videos or books.

“The more skills and techniques you have and the more you’ll be able to offer companies, and the broader your working opportunities will be. The world of technology moves incredibly fast, especially when it comes to cyber security, so you need to be on your game and constantly learning and staying up to date with your information to ensure you can deliver the best service, especially if you’re running freelance,” shares Bett Taylor, a business writer at Paper Fellows and Ukwritings.

Step #04 – Become a Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH).

“The final step is to become a Certified Ethical Hacker! To do this, you must pass an exam administered by the International Council of E-Commerce Consultants (EC-Council), which is the governing body that oversees the CEH certification,” explains Nicole Coombes, a technical writer at Boomessays and State of writing.

This may change, and new certifications may come out in the future, so stay in the know and make the decision that’s right for you at the right time, depending on how your career is progressing.

Step #05 – Start working!

If you’ve made it this far, congratulations!

Now you can start looking for a job as an ethical hacker. You should consider applying to companies that offer cybersecurity services such as penetration testing or vulnerability assessment. It may also be helpful to go through your local government’s website and find out if they offer any internship or job opportunities in this field.

Yes, there are stories where people hack companies off their own back and then sell the data to the company to prove themselves, and sure, on a rare occasion, this has worked. However, this is still against the law, and if you hack a company and say, hey, I hacked your company, and this is what I found, now pay me, this is technically against the law and can land you in a lot of trouble.

Instead, it’s perhaps best to stick with the more legitimate ways of finding a job.

Conclusion

So there you have it! Five easy steps that will help you become an ethical hacker. Remember always to stay ahead of the curve and keep learning new skills, and you’ll have the best chances of making it in the world of ethical hacking.