Welcome to cybersecurity! This guide will introduce you to essential concepts in a safe, legal environment. Remember: ethical hacking is about improving security, not breaking systems.
Networks are the foundation of all hacking knowledge. Understanding how data moves is essential for both attack and defense.
Every device on a network has an IP address. There are two versions:
Ports are communication endpoints. Common ports include:
SQL Injection is one of the most critical web application vulnerabilities. It allows attackers to interfere with database queries.
Consider a login form with this SQL query:
If a user enters admin' -- as username:
The -- comments out the password check, allowing login as admin without a password!
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. It's one of the most common web vulnerabilities.
This is a simulated vulnerable comment system. Try injecting scripts below:
Session hijacking involves stealing or manipulating a user's web session to gain unauthorized access to web applications.
Web applications use sessions to maintain state between HTTP requests. Typically:
Password cracking involves recovering passwords from data stored or transmitted by computer systems. Understanding these techniques helps create stronger passwords.
Firewalls and encryption are fundamental defense mechanisms that protect networks and data from unauthorized access.
Firewalls control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on security rules. Types include:
Encryption converts data into unreadable format to protect confidentiality. Key concepts:
The cybersecurity field offers diverse career opportunities with excellent growth potential and high demand.