The ethical hacking or pen test domain is changing excessively; previously, it could only be done by only some security experts, but now with the occurrence of automated tools, which are also evolving continuously, now, nearly anyone can check the security of their system. Ethical hacking tools are fundamentally codes and scripts which help to find unprotected or weak points in web servers, computer systems, and applications.
There are numerous numbers of this tools available to protect the systems from fraud attacks. Some are open source and can be used by anybody willing to better protect their system, while some are used by firms or companies which are commercial tools. Associating the ethical hacking tools for the security attempt of a firm has proven to be truly beneficial.
Top 15 Ethical Hacking Tools
To help you find the tools, we have put together the top 15 ethical hacking tools which will guide you in the process of safeguarding your system.
1. NetStumbler
NetStumbler which is also known as Network Stumbler, is a wireless networking tool that detects wireless LANs; it is a tool available for the windows-based operating system. It helps to identify, inspect and refine the entry points. If you are seeking a tool that helps you to check the strength of the received signal, NetStumbler is useful. It helps the IT management detect and examine the wireless networks and checks if the network is well constructed. Users can check the unauthorized entry points. NetStumbler has a trimmed-down version which is called MiniStumbler, which is for portable Windows CE OS.
Key Features:
- Uses WLAN 802.11b, 802.11a, and 802.11g for the detection of wireless LANs.
- Helps to verify network configuration.
- Can detect the unauthorized access point.
- Find the causes of network interferences.
- Creates signal-to-Noise Graphs
- GPS support
- Contain active scripting languages due to which it can support various functions
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2. Wiresharkhttps://mindmajix.com/sql-server-tutorial
It is a widely used network analyzer. Helps you detect networks at the microscopic level. It is an open-source platform that allows you to analyze your network in real-time. It can detect security problems in any network and solves general networking problems as it contains sniffing technology. Users can read the results of their network in a human-readable format which helps to detect problems or vulnerabilities. It has the function of applying coloring rules to packet lists so users can do the analysis more easily and quickly.
Key Features:
- Wireshark can interpret Protocols like IPsec, ISAKMP, etc.
- It can do offline examinations and can perform real-time capture.
- Supports cross platforms, can read other file formats including Sniffer Pro, Tcpdump, Microsoft network monitor, Cisco Secure IDS IP log, etc.
- Ethernet, IEEE 802.11, PPP/HDLC, ATM, Bluetooth, USB, Token Ring, Frame Relay, FDDI, ports, and network devices are supported
- Can exports results to XML, PostScript, CSV, or plain text
- Files captured can be compressed with gzip and can be decompressed on the go.
3. Metasploit
One of the best hacking tools is called Metasploit. Information security specialists can utilize a variety of penetration testing tools, such as Metasploit Hacking Tool, to find remote software vulnerabilities.
Both a commercial and a free edition are available. Both the command prompt and the web UI can be used to access the Metasploit Hacking Tool.
Key features:
• Run fundamental network penetration tests
• Run quick analyses of vulnerabilities’ exploitability
• Finding the network or importing scan results
4. Nmap
Network Mapper is referred to as Nmap. Open-source software, such as this hacking tool, is frequently used for network discovery and security auditing.
It is also helpful for activities like network inventory, scheduling service upgrades, and observing host or service uptime, according to network administrators.
Key features:
• A list of the network’s available hosts
• Precisely what services certain hosts provide,
• Nmap is compatible with Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux, among other popular operating systems.
5. John the Ripper
To crack passwords, hackers use John the Ripper. Windows, DOS, and Open VMS are all compatible with this hacking program.
The hacking tool is available for free use. To find weak UNIX passwords, this hacking tool was developed.
This hacking tool has become one of the most well-liked password cracking tools for hackers, thanks to its ability to merge multiple password crackers into a single package.
Key features:
• A variety of encrypted passwords can be tested using John the Ripper.
• It engages in dictionary assaults.
• It offers many password crackers in a single package.
• It offers a cracker that may be customized.
• Best For: It cracks passwords quickly.
6. Ettercap
Cross-platform support is provided through the hacking tool Ettercap. You can make unique plugins utilizing Ettercap’s API.
This hacking software is capable of sniffing HTTP SSL-protected data even when using a proxy connection. Man-in-the-middle attacks on LANs can be prevented with the help of the free and open-source Ettercap Hacking Tool.
Key Features:
• The detection of live connections.
• Filtering of content.
• Dissecting several protocols both actively and passively.
• Analysis of hosts and networks
7. SQLMap
Security researchers may run SQL code injection experiments against remote hosts with the aid of the cool Python hacking tool SQLMAP.
You can find and test various SQL-based vulnerabilities using the SQLMap hacking tool to secure your servers and apps or to submit vulnerabilities to various businesses.
Key Features:
• Support for a variety of database servers, including Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MSSQL, MS Access, DB2, and Informix.
• Capability for automatic code injection
• Recognition of password hashes
• Using a dictionary to crack passwords
• User counting
• The hashes of passwords
• Escalation of database user privileges
• Table information dump
• Operates remotely SELECTS IN SQL
8. Angry IP Scanner
A quick scanner of ports and IP addresses is the hacking program Angry IP Scanner. It is possible to scan IP addresses in any range as well as their ports with this hacking tool, which is a portable and cross-platform program. Pinging each IP address is all that the hacking tool does.
Key features:
• Examines both local networks and the Internet
• The program is open-source and free
• Any random or file format
• Scalable with numerous data fetchers
• A command-line interface is offered
• Operates on Linux, Mac, and Windows
• No installation is required
9. Burp suite
One of the most popular platforms in use today in the security testing and bug bounty industries is Burp Suite. A variety of hacking tools are included with it, enabling bug bounty hunters and security researchers to identify, map, assess, and ultimately exploit vulnerabilities in any application’s attack surface.
Key features:
• Automation of penetration testing
• Manual penetration testing methods
• Browser data is intercepted.
• Attacks using brute force and fast fuzzing
10. Acunetix
Invicta’s Acunetix is an ethical hacking tool that finds and reports on over 4500 web application vulnerabilities, including every type of SQL Injection and XSS. Since HTML5, JavaScript, and single-page applications are supported, the Acunetix crawler can audit sophisticated, authorized apps.
Key features :
You can scan anything, from straightforward pages to password-protected areas and multi-level forms, using strong crawling technologies.
Schedule quick or thorough scans according to your requirements, and check newly released releases immediately.
11. Aircrack- Ng
Various hacking tools are available from Aircrack-ng to assess the security of Wi-Fi networks. Each one is a command-line tool to secure Wi-Fi.
The main objectives of the hacking tool are testing, monitoring, attacking, and cracking. It supports eComStation 2, Linux, Windows, OS X, Free BSD, NetBSD, and OpenBSD.
Key features :
• Replay attacks, de-authentication, bogus access points, and other issues are all areas where Aircrack-ng can concentrate.
• To text files, data export is supported.
• The capabilities of Wi-Fi cards and drivers can be examined.
• It employs PTW attacks, dictionary attacks, and FMS attacks to crack WEP keys.
• Dictionary attacks are used by it to break WPA2-PSK encryption.
12. Recon NG
A Python-based framework is Recon NG. Independent modules, database interface tools, built-in convenience features, interactive help menus, and command completion tools are some of the features of this framework.
Key features :
• Powerful capabilities for footprinting and reconnaissance.
• A fully modular framework that enables contributions from Python programmers of any skill level.
13. Traceroute NG
Using a command-line interface, Traceroute NG can detect any changes in the ICT and ICMP network channels. Users can continuously scan their networks and produce txt log files, a form of network path analysis code.
Key features :
• It can identify changes in the path.
• Probes may be run continuously.
• Network path analysis is possible using TCP and ICMP.
• Enables the creation of a text file log.
• They both support IPv4 and IPv6
14. NIKTO
Another popular and well-known hacking tool included in the Kali Linux distribution is called Nikto.
With the Hacking Tool’s clear and straightforward command-line interface, checking for vulnerabilities against your target is simple.
Key Features :
• Identifies the default installation files for any OS
• Scans for out-of-date software packages.
• Carries out XSS vulnerability testing
• Exports outcomes as plain text, CSV, or HTML files.
• The Metasploit Framework is integrated.
15. Maltego
The link analysis and data mining hacking tool Maltego. An open-source forensic and intelligence program, this hacking tool is used to acquire data across the entire security-related job process.
Real-time information collection and data mining are done by the hacking tool. With really large graphs, this hacking technique is effective. In addition, Windows, Linux, and Mac OS are supported by the hacking tool.
Key Features :
• Depicts the information about node-based graph patterns.
• Large graphs are compatible with Maltego XL.
• You will receive a graphical representation that will show you the network’s strong points and anomalies.
Summary
These are the top 15 Ethical Hacking Tools. With the growing technologies, Ethical hacking tools are becoming a necessity for a protected system. With the growing interest by businesses, it is becoming more popular. Ethical hacking tools and pen testing is the today’s requirements for a secure system. It protects the information from getting disclosed and protects the system from the threat of creating a trustworthy structure within the organization. It encourages prior identification and prevention of the threats by continuously reporting remote activities and detect for vulnerabilities.
Author Bio
Meravath Raju is a Digital Marketer, and a passionate writer, who is working with MindMajix, a top global online training provider. He also holds in-depth knowledge of IT and demanding technologies such as Business Intelligence, Salesforce, Cybersecurity, Software Testing, QA, Data analytics, Project Management and ERP tools, etc.
