Must Have Tools For Hackers

Hackers are the security experts who penetrate the systems to find the security loopholes with respect to prior permissions granted. Hacking tools are coded by some expert programmers and coders  out there. So, these are some tools every hacker must have to test the operating environments.

=> NMAP

This tool is widely used by security researchers to audit the security. This tool is designed to scan the very large networks on the go. The software provides features like investigating computer networks, including host discovery and service and operating system detection. Some more features like- Port Scanning, Version Detection, Scriptable interaction with the target, Reverse DNS names, device types and mac addresses of the devices on the network.

Download NMAP (Network Mapper) here.

=> Nessus

Nessus is a proprietary comprehensive vulnerability scanner. But it is freely available for personal use and non enterprise use. It scans for vulnerabilities like- vulnerabilities that allow a hacker to remotely access the confidential data, denials of service on TCP/IP etc.

=> Cain and Abel

Cain and Abel is basically a password recovery tool for Microsoft Operating Systems. It allows easy recovery of various kind of passwords by sniffing the network, cracking encrypted passwords using Dictionary, Brute-Force and Cryptanalysis attacks, recording VoIP conversations, decoding scrambled passwords, recovering wireless network keys, revealing password boxes, uncovering cached passwords and analyzing routing protocols.The latest version is faster and contains a lot of new features like APR (Arp Poison Routing) which enables sniffing on switched LANs and Man-in-the-Middle attacks. The sniffer in this version can also analyze encrypted protocols such as SSH-1 and HTTPS, and contains filters to capture credentials from a wide range of authentication mechanisms. The new version also ships routing protocols authentication monitors and routes extractors, dictionary and brute-force crackers for all common hashing algorithms and for several specific authentications, password/hash calculators, cryptanalysis attacks, password decoders and  some not so common utilities related to network and system security.

Download Cain And Abel here.

=> NetStumbler

It is a powerful tool for windows platform. Built a nice and user friendly interface for easy use. It is basically meant for detection of Wireless LANs that are using IEEE standards like 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g. 

There are plenty of tools available on the internet for testing purposes. Writing the rest tools shortly. 

Stay Connected.

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Emerging Threats to Wireless LANs

The Internet (a.k.a The Mother of All Networks) has become the biggest threat to the security and privacy of its users, still, the number of users are rising by millions every year. 

Earlier it is said that the Safe computer is the one that isn't networked at all i.e. has no internet connection but have a look to this Computers can be hacked without any Internet Connectivity. 

Your data is more at risk than on Wired LANs too. Your system can be compromised via your Network Cards also. However, To hack your systems into WLAN (Wireless LANs) by bypassing the security installed on the Router is only in the hands of a professional hacker. 

Classification of Vulnerabilities to WLANs:-

1. Unauthorized Access Threats
2. Denial of Authorized Access

The first one involves threats from hackers and their created Trojans or Viruses to get into your network and have the unauthorized access to your computer systems.

The other one is like a Denial Of Service Attack(DoS Attack) in which your network got jammed or affected by some other source. 

So, How to overcome the threats of Unauthorized access-

1. Dont Broadcast SSID's : Wireless APs (Access Points) have the fully functional feature to stop broadcasting SSID's. This will affect the third party users to not maintain access to your network. On its worst side, Hackers can still detect your AP SSID with the penetration tools pre-installed in Operating Systems like Kali Linux (Most advanced OS for the security researchers and Penetration Testers).
2. Use IP Access Control : Use this feature if your network consists only few devices, make sure to provide access to only those devices. In that case your AP would only respond if your specified IP wants access to Internet not other than that. Or you can do is set the computer's MAC address to the allowed devices list. Find your MAC by "ipconfig /all "a command line utility.  
3. WEP or WPA2 : It is Wired Equivalent Protocol used as an encryption standard for 802.11b networks. When purchasing Modems make sure that it supports latest Security techniques.

Be careful in case of wireless security, to make hackers keep trying to penetrate your network without any successful attempts in their hands. 

Source:- Digit Magazine

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