An Absolute Guide On How To Become A Hacker (Ethical Hacker)

So you want to become a professional hacker but don’t know what it takes. Here is a complete guide on how to become a hacker. 

Well, Ethical hackers are the great guys of the hacking world, usually, they wear a “white hat.” The “white hat” ethical hackers use hacking skills which also help them in identifying security vulnerabilities in software, and hardware network stores.

Instead of using their advanced computer skills for vicious and criminal activities. However, they identify weaknesses in data computer security for organizations and businesses across the world. Therefore, they protect themselves from hackers with less honest motives. 

According to experienced experts, there will be more than 3 million open jobs in the Cybersecurity industry by 2023. So if you want to know how to become a hacker then read this complete blog to get depth information. 

What does an Ethical Hacker do?

Professionally, there are a few downsides to working in the field of ethical hacking. And if your authorized attacks work, you can send your clients a report with a list of vulnerabilities and the best way to fix them. 

However, this makes the security system stronger so it can keep out attackers. Besides, skilled “white-hat” hackers are just as competent in cybersecurity as “black-hat” hackers, which is why their work is just so important when looking for security flaws and entry points in a network, infrastructure, or web application.

Before understanding how to become a hacker, you should know its role. So here are some of the most important abilities every ethical hacker should have:

• Knowledge of how to work with databases, networks, and operating systems.
• Understanding Python and other programming languages well enough to use them.
• Potential to use social engineering to start phishing campaigns or other types of attacks.
• Taking over web servers and programs.
• Methods for getting around and breaking wireless encryption.
• Use buffer overflow holes to your advantage.
• Injections of Relational databases.
• Cracking a password.
• Checking out networks.
• Tools like Nessus and NMAP can be used to check both open and closed ports.
• Taking a look at patch releases.
• Avoiding detection and prevention systems for attacks.

Learning How To Become A Hacker: Steps 

The difficult part is figuring out how to make a career out of hacking in a good way. Here are some steps to take if you want to learn how to become a hacker:

Step 1: Consider yourself

Before you can learn how to become a hacker, you need to know if it’s a good career move.

So, think about this: Do you fit the description of an ethical hacker? Do you have the skills and personality to keep up with the rapid development of ethical hacking?

People often move up to ethical hacking from IT jobs like programming, coding, and system specialists. Since ethical hacking is a more advanced form of cybersecurity, it does require some IT knowledge. But you don’t have to be a computer expert to make it your job. However, some ethical hackers came from completely different fields, like liberal arts and law.

As an ethical hacker, you need to have a lot more than just technical skills. Besides, the ideal ethical hacker is very good at analyzing things, solving problems, and coming up with new ideas. However, ethical hackers are naturally curious and like to look into things. They do well when things are hard and think outside the box.

Step 2: Learn More About Education

If you think you’d be a good fit for a career as an ethical hacker, the next step is to look into all the different ways you can learn about cybersecurity.

Besides, when you switch to ethical hacking, you don’t have to spend money on a four-year college degree, which is a big plus. However, there are many hands-on cybersecurity programs that give you the training you need to get good jobs quickly.

Well, the courses that are offered will depend on a number of factors. Before you start, you should think about where you live, how much time and money you want to spend on your ethical hacking education, and whether you want to learn online or in a classroom.

Step 3: Get a license

In the last 10 to 20 years, the number of skilled cyber professionals has grown faster than in the cybersecurity industry. And this means that many ethical hacking jobs were filled by people with few or no qualifications, whose only cyber education was what they learned on the job.

Since then, the industry has become pretty strict, and education standards and certifications have been put in place to make sure that candidates are trained cybersecurity and ethical hacking professionals.

Today, if you want to start a career in ethical hacking, you need to get the right training and academic qualifications. And to get a certification, you have to sign up for a hands-on, practical pen testing course that will prepare you for industry exams like the EC-OSCP Council’s (Offensive Security Certified Professional) and CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) exams.

Additionally, make sure to choose a training program that has lab computer models based on the real world and a teaching staff made up of people who work in the field.

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Step 4: Create a network

As the cybersecurity industry is growing, so do the local networks of people who work in cybersecurity. Also, students of ethical hacking need to become a part of their local cyber ecosystem. Moreover, networking helps you make connections with colleagues, employers, and instructors. It also keeps you up to date on new developments and local job opportunities.

Thus, you can build your professional cyber network by learning about pen testing at a college or institute near you that offers in-class training. This way, you can meet teachers, students, and people who work in the local industry face to face.

Moreover, you can also join a pen testing class or course that offers networking opportunities like social events and job fairs and has teachers from the local cyber ecosystem. Therefore, ethical hacking is easier to do when you are part of a networking team. It’s not just about the program.

Step 5: Look for the right job

It is the last step on how to become a hacker. Once you’ve finished your training, managed to pass your certification exams, and made connections with other professionals in the same field, it’s time to look for an ethical hacking job.

With numerous job openings in the US and around the world, you can easily find your ideal ethical hacking job. Thus, it’s just a matter of getting the right career advice and help with looking for a job.

However many ethical hacking workshops offer services to graduates, such as career counseling, interview coaching, help with building a LinkedIn profile, and help to find an internship. 

Besides, when looking for the right ethical hacking program, make sure it has these extras, which can help you get your career in ethical hacking off to a good start.

Top Jobs For Ethical Hacking

There are three types of Ethical hacking jobs available for the one who wants to make a career in them. 

While there is a wide range of skill levels among ethical hackers, most entry- and mid-level white-hat hackers seek jobs in an agency context. Thus, the ethical hacking jobs that people want the most are

Penetration Tester

If you’ve always wanted to be a hacker but want to stay on the right side of the law, you might want to become a pen tester. However, you will look into computer networks to find weak spots, simulate cyberattacks, and break into information systems just like a bad hacker would.

Vulnerability Assessor 

This could be your dream job if you like taking things apart. Also, Vulnerability assessors, who are frequently called vulnerability assessment analysts, look for flaws in applications and systems and search networks for critical flaws.

Security Consultant

If you are an experienced ethical hacker with years of successful pen-testing under your belt, it might make sense for you to go out on your own and either start your own security agency or try freelancing.

However, every client will have different security concerns, so you’ll need to be able to analyze a wide range of possible cybersecurity threats by running different kinds of tests and looking for possible holes.

A Look at the Top 5 Countries’ Salaries

Research shows that salaries for workers in different countries are very different. These are the top five countries where workers earn the most on average:

Bottom Line

This new article is about how to become a hacker” gave you an idea of what Ethical Hacking is and who Ethical Hackers are. Also, you learned that there are different steps you need to take to become an Ethical Hacker.

Clearly, the need for ethical hackers will continue to increase in the future years. However, if you have the right skills, you can also become a certified ethical hacker and work in this in-demand field to keep data and systems safe from cybercrime.

Also, you should start studying for the certification exams and work in the field to gain experience. Well, all I need to say is that you should stay up-to-date on the latest security threats and keep learning and practicing your skills.