Subject:- ETI Prof.

Kumudini Tripathi

Network Hacking
 What is Network Hacking?

Network hacking refers to the act of gaining unauthorized access to a computer network and its
infrastructure resources, such as devices, servers, software, and other services.Network hacking
involves gathering information about a target network, identifying vulnerabilities, and
exploiting them to gain access. A variety of tools and techniques are used to identify potential
security threats in computer networks.

 Network Fundamentals

Understanding the concept of network hacking effectively requires a solid understanding of the
fundamentals of networking. These include understanding what networks are, types of
networks such as LAN and WAN, communication protocols such as TCP/IP and HTTP, the
concept of ports and services, and the role of devices such as routers, switches, and servers in
facilitating network connectivity and data transmission.

 Steps Involved in Network Hacking

The steps involved in network hacking within an ethical hacking context typically include:
 Reconnaissance

 Scanning

 Enumeration

 Exploitation

 Post-Exploitation
Subject:- ETI Prof. Kumudini Tripathi

1)Reconnaissance:-

This phase involves gathering information about the target network, such as IP
addresses, domain names, network infrastructure, and other publicly available
information. It may include techniques like open-source intelligence (OSINT)
gathering, scanning public databases, or using tools like WHOIS to obtain domain
registration information.

2)Scanning:-

In this phase, the ethical hacker uses network scanning tools to discover active
systems, open ports, and services running on the target network. Techniques like port
scanning, network mapping, and vulnerability scanning are employed to identify
potential entry points or weaknesses.
Subject:- ETI Prof. Kumudini Tripathi

3)Enumeration:-
Once active systems and services are identified, the ethical hacker attempts to gather
more detailed information about those systems, such as user accounts, network shares,
or system configurations. This helps in identifying potential vulnerabilities or
misconfigurations that could be exploited.

4)Exploitation:-
In this stage, the ethical hacker attempts to exploit identified vulnerabilities to gain
unauthorized access or escalate privileges. Exploitation techniques may include using
known exploits, social engineering, or password cracking. The objective is to validate the
existence and severity of vulnerabilities.

5)Post-Exploitation:-

After successfully exploiting a vulnerability, ethical hackers explore the compromised

system to understand the extent of the potential damage that a malicious attacker
could inflict. This helps assess the risks and consequences of a breach.
Subject:- ETI Prof. Kumudini Tripathi

 Types Of Tools :-

 Nmap (Network Mapper):

Description: Nmap is a powerful and versatile open-source tool used for network exploration,
security scanning, and auditing. It's designed to discover hosts and services on a network by
sending packets and analyzing the responses.

Usage: Nmap is commonly used by network administrators, security professionals, and hackers
for tasks such as network inventory, vulnerability assessment, and penetration testing.

 Wireshark:

Description: Wireshark is a widely-used network protocol analyzer that allows users to

capture and interactively browse the traffic running on a computer network. It provides
detailed information about .

Usage: Wireshark is used for network troubleshooting, protocol development, network

security analysis, and educational purposes.
Subject:- ETI Prof. Kumudini Tripathi

 Metasploit Framework:
Description: Metasploit is an open-source penetration testing framework that provides tools
for developing, testing, and executing exploit code against remote targets. It's one of the most
powerful and widely-used frameworks in the field of ethical hacking.

Usage: Metasploit is used by security professionals, penetration testers, and hackers for
vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, and red teaming exercises.

 Burp Suite:
Description: Burp Suite is an integrated platform for performing web application security
testing. It's designed to help security professionals identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in
web applications.

Usage: Burp Suite is widely used by security professionals, web developers, and penetration
testers for testing the security of web applications during development and deployment.
Subject:- ETI Prof. Kumudini Tripathi

 John the Ripper:

Description: John the Ripper is a fast and flexible password-cracking tool that is used to
identify weak passwords through brute-force and dictionary attacks. It supports various hash
formats and algorithms.

Usage: John the Ripper is commonly used by security professionals and penetration testers to
assess the strength of passwords and identify weak authentication mechanisms.

 Hydra:
Description: Hydra is a parallelized login cracker that supports various protocols for attacking
remote authentication services. It's designed to automate the process of guessing credentials
and gaining unauthorized access to systems.

Usage: Hydra is commonly used by security professionals and hackers for testing the strength
of authentication mechanisms and gaining unauthorized access to systems.
Subject:- ETI Prof. Kumudini Tripathi

 Types of Network Attacks:-

Network attacks can target different layers of the network stack, from physical
infrastructure to application layer protocols. Some common types of network
attacks include:

 Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attack:-A DoS attack overwhelms networks, systems or

services with excessive traffic or requests, making them unavailable to legitimate
users.

 Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attack:-In a MitM attack, attackers intercept and

eavesdrop on network communications between two parties, allowing them to
capture sensitive information or manipulate the data being transmitted.
Subject:- ETI Prof. Kumudini Tripathi

 IP Spoofing Attack:-IP spoofing is a technique where an attacker falsifies the

source IP address in an IP packet to make it appear as if it originated from a
different source than the actual sender.

 ARP Spoofing Attack:-ARP spoofing, also known as ARP cache poisoning, is an

attack where an attacker manipulates the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) to
intercept or manipulate network traffic.
Subject:- ETI Prof. Kumudini Tripathi

 Privilege Escalation Attack:-Privilege escalation attacks involve exploiting

vulnerabilities or weaknesses in a system to gain higher levels of access or
permissions than originally granted, typically allowing attackers to execute
unauthorized actions or access sensitive resources.

 Zero Day Attack:-

A zero-day attack is a cyberattack that occurs on the same day a vulnerability is
discovered, before the software or system vendor has had a chance to release a
patch to fix the vulnerability. These attacks exploit security flaws in software,
hardware, or firmware that are unknown to the vendor or the public, thus leaving
users susceptible to exploitation.
Subject:- ETI Prof. Kumudini Tripathi

Conclusion

In conclusion, network hacking is a multifaceted domain that encompasses various techniques,

tools, and methodologies for identifying vulnerabilities, exploiting weaknesses, and gaining
unauthorized access to computer networks and systems. It involves activities such as network
reconnaissance, vulnerability assessment, exploitation, and post-exploitation activities.

While network hacking can be employed for both ethical and malicious purposes, it's essential
to emphasize responsible and ethical use of hacking techniques and tools. Ethical hackers, also
known as white-hat hackers, use their skills to identify and address security weaknesses, help
organizations improve their security posture, and protect against cyber threats. They adhere to
legal and ethical guidelines, obtaining proper authorization before conducting security
assessments and penetration tests.

On the other hand, malicious hackers, or black-hat hackers, exploit vulnerabilities for personal
gain, theft of sensitive information, financial fraud, or disruption of services. Their actions are
illegal and unethical, often resulting in severe consequences for victims and perpetrators alike.

To mitigate the risks associated with network hacking, organizations should implement robust
cybersecurity measures, including regular security assessments, patch management, network
segmentation, intrusion detection systems, and employee training on cybersecurity best
practices. Additionally, collaboration within the cybersecurity community, information sharing,
and adherence to security standards and regulations are crucial for enhancing overall
cybersecurity resilience.