What is Hacking?
In the world of cyber security, Hacking refers to the process of gaining unauthorised access to a computer system or network. Hackers exploit vulnerabilities in software, hardware or human behaviour to achieve their goals, which can range from stealing data or disrupting operations to installing malware or launching further attacks.
It’s important to distinguish between ethical hacking and malicious hacking:
- Ethical hacking: Also known as white hat hacking, this involves using hacking techniques to identify vulnerabilities in a system with permission from the owner. Ethical hackers help organizations improve their security posture by finding and patching weaknesses before malicious actors can exploit them.
- Malicious hacking: This refers to unauthorised hacking attempts with malicious intent. Black hat hackers aim to steal data, disrupt operations, install malware or cause other damage. Grey hat hackers fall somewhere in between, sometimes hacking without permission but not necessarily with malicious intent.
Key components_
- Vulnerability scanning: Hackers often use automated tools to scan for vulnerabilities in systems.
- Social engineering: Hackers may attempt to trick users into revealing sensitive information or clicking on malicious links.
- Exploit kits: These are pre-written tools that hackers can use to exploit vulnerabilities in software or systems.
- Post-exploitation techniques: Once they gain access to a system, hackers can use various techniques to maintain access, steal data or move laterally within the network.
How Microsoft tools protect against hacking attempts_
- Microsoft Azure Penetration Testing Service: This service connects organisations with ethical hackers who can perform penetration testing on their Azure environment, identifying potential security weaknesses.
- Microsoft Defender for Cloud: This cloud-based security solution offers vulnerability scanning capabilities that can help organisations identify potential weaknesses in their cloud workloads.
