If you’re interested in hacking and want to jump right in, there are seven tools that are essential to being successful at this challenging and rewarding hobby.
These are the best devices to help you with hacking, which is why they have been the most popular since their inception several years ago.
Every technical hacker should own each of these devices and have them on hand at all times so they can quickly and easily solve computer problems that arise frequently during hacking adventures.
Here’s your guide to these seven tools every hacker needs.
1) Social Engineering
Social Engineering is a general term used to describe the mental manipulation or tricking of people into giving up personal information.
These people may be called social engineers, but they are more commonly known as con artists or scammers.
One of the most basic forms of social engineering is an old-fashioned face-to-face con game, in which a scammer fools you into believing something false and acting upon that belief to make the scammer money.
2) Reverse Engineering
While the majority of hacking is performed through the exploitation of software vulnerabilities, reverse engineering can also be used to identify and exploit vulnerabilities.
Reverse engineering often involves pulling apart software with specialized tools and identifying areas that may be susceptible to attack. When these security flaws are found, attackers can either sell them on the black market or use them for their own malicious purposes.
One example of this was when a security flaw was discovered in 2015 in Apple's iOS system that allowed hackers to bypass an iPhone's password lock screen.
The hacker then sold this vulnerability on the black market for $200,000 because it allowed someone to steal passwords and other data stored on iPhones
3) Malware
Malware is a term for any malicious software that’s designed to damage and destroy a computer, steal your data, or spy on you. Malware can infect a computer in many different ways.
It can take over your computer by exploiting weaknesses in outdated software, download onto it automatically from the internet as you visit websites, or be installed by someone who has physical access to your device.
4) Network Security
Network security is a serious concern for all businesses these days. Whether it's protecting their network from data breaches or intrusions, what to do when the worst happens, or keeping the IT system secure and stable, the list of technology-related concerns is endless.
There are plenty of software solutions to cover some aspects of this, but where can you go if your business needs outside assistance?
The answer is often a security consultant who will not only help you with your network design but will be on call in case anything ever goes wrong.
5) Web Exploitation
Hackers need to know a lot of different things, including how to install and use software like Kali Linux, Metasploit, and Wireshark.
Plus they have to have specialized equipment like antennas and high-tech cameras, but there are some more mainstream tools too.
For example, every hacker needs something to work on, which might be a laptop or their phone.
Other necessary items include a USB drive for transferring data (but not an ordinary one), an Ethernet cable for remote access, and an ethernet jack so the internet connection isn’t interrupted while hacking. Some hackers might also need extra batteries in case power gets cut off during the hack.
6) RATs
Remote Administration Tools are what most hackers use to control their targets and the types of servers they interact with.
A RAT can be acquired as a one-off purchase or built in-house, but it will always include the following seven core features:
1) Reconnaissance
2) Uploading a Program
3) Logging Keystrokes
4) Exfiltrating Files
5) Screen Captures
6) Webcam Controls
7) Keylogging
7) Crypto Exchanges and Wallets
If you want to know how hackers manage to get hold of cryptocurrency, one of the first things they need is a place to sell it and cash out.
So, two important tools are exchanges and wallets. First off, you’ve got traditional exchanges where anyone can buy cryptocurrencies with fiat money and other established cryptocurrencies.
Conclusion
Every hacker needs a laptop, a malware kit, and at least one VPN to get the job done.
There are plenty of other tools out there too: some fun (like hacking as part of an art project) and some destructive (say a virus that wipes out an entire town's memory).
There's more than one way to hack. If you need to start hacking yourself, you can use this list to make sure you're ready.