What is Hacking ?
Computer hacking is the practice of modifying computer hardware and software to accomplish a goal outside of the creator’s original purpose. People who engage in computer hacking activities are often called hackers. Since the word “hack” has long been used to describe someone who is incompetent at his/her profession, some hackers claim this term is offensive and fails to give appropriate recognition to their skills.
Computer hacking is most common among teenagers and young adults, although there are many older hackers as well. Many hackers are true technology buffs who enjoy learning more about how computers work and consider computer hacking an “art” form. They often enjoy programming and have expert-level skills in one particular program. For these individuals, computer hacking is a real life application of their problem-solving skills. It’s a chance to demonstrate their abilities, not an opportunity to harm others.
Since a large number of hackers are self-taught prodigies, some corporations actually employ computer hackers as part of their technical support staff. These individuals use their skills to find flaws in the company’s security system so that they can be repaired quickly. In many cases, this type of computer hacking helps prevent identity theft and other serious computer-related crimes.
Common Methods for Hacking Computer Terminals(Servers):
This comprises of either taking control over terminal(or Server) or render it useless or to crash it.. following methods are used from a long time and are still used..
1. Denial of Service -
DoS attacks give hackers a way to bring down a network without gaining internal access. DoS attacks work by flooding the access routers with bogus traffic(which can be e-mail or Transmission Control Protocol, TCP, packets).
2. Distributed DoSs -
Distributed DoSs (DDoSs) are coordinated DoS attacks from multiple sources. A DDoS is more difficult to block because it uses multiple, changing, source IP addresses.
3. Sniffing -
Sniffing refers to the act of intercepting TCP packets. This interception can happen through simple eavesdropping or something more sinister.
4. Spoofing -
Spoofing is the act of sending an illegitimate packet with an expected acknowledgment (ACK), which a hacker can guess, predict, or obtain by snooping
5. SQL injection -
SQL injection is a code injection technique that exploits a security vulnerability occurring in the database layer of an application. It uses normal SQL commands to get into database with elivated privellages..
6. Viruses and Worms -
Viruses and worms are self-replicating programs or code fragments that attach themselves to other programs (viruses) or machines (worms). Both viruses and worms attempt to shut down networks by flooding them with massive amounts of bogus traffic, usually through e-mail.
7. Back Doors -
Hackers can gain access to a network by exploiting back doors administrative shortcuts, configuration errors, easily deciphered passwords, and unsecured dial-ups. With the aid of computerized searchers (bots), hackers can probably find any weakness in the network.
So, not interested in these stuffs.. huh??? wait there is more for you.. So, how about the one related to hacking the passwords of email and doing some more exciting stuffs.. The various methods employed for this are:
8. Trojan Horses -
Trojan horses, which are attached to other programs, are the leading cause of all break-ins. When a user downloads and activates a Trojan horse, the software can take the full control over the system and you can remotely control the whole system.. great..!!! They are also reffered as RATs(Remote Administration tools)
9. Keyloggers -
Consider the situation, everything you type in the system is mailed to the hacker..!! Wouldn't it be easy to track your password from that.. Keyloggers perform similar functionallities.. So next time you type anything.. Beware..!! Have already posted about keyloggers and ways to protect yourself from them..
10. BruteForcing -
The longest and most tiring job.. don't even consider this if you don't know the SET of password for your victim..
11. Secret Question -
According to a survey done by security companies, it is found that rather than helping the legitimate users the security questions are more useful to the hackers.. So if you know the victim well try this..
12. Social Engineering -
Ya this was one of the oldest trick to hack.. Try to convince your user that you are a legitimate person from the system and needs your password for the continuation of the service or some maintainence.. This won't work now since most of the users are now aware about the Scam.. But this Social Engginering concept is must for you to have to convince victim for many reasons..!!!
13. Phishing -
This is another type of keylogging, here you have to bring the user to a webpage created by you resembling the legitimate one and get him to enter his password, to get the same in your mail box..!! Use social engginering..
14. Fake Messengers -
So its a form of phishing in the application format.. getting user, to enter the login info in the software and check your maill..!!!
15. Cookie Stealer -
Here the cookie saved by the sites are taken and decoded and if you get lucky.. You have the password..!!!
Hmmm.. not satisfied with single account at a time..?? so there are ways to hack lots of accounts together.. I know few but there exists many..!! listed are the ones i know and will teach you in coming posts...
16. DNS Poisoning or PHARMING -
So, phisihing is a tough job.. isn't it..?? convincing someone to enter their password at your page..?? what if you don't have to convince..?? what if they are directed automatically to your site without having a clue..?? Nice huh..?? Pharming does the same for you.. More about it in my next post..17. Whaling -
This method gets you the password of the accounts which are used by the hackers to recive the passwords.. So you just have to hack one ID, which is simplest method( Easy then hacking any other account, will tell you how in coming posts..) and you will have loads of passwords and so loads of accounts at your mercy..!!!Hope you have liked this post!! waiting for your comments AADISH!!!!!
