Back to course

Legal and Ethical Hacking Introduction

Cyber Security Mastery: From Zero to Hero

Ethical Hacking: Hacking with Permission

Throughout this course, we will learn techniques used by malicious hackers. However, as cybersecurity professionals, we must operate ethically and legally. This practice is known as Ethical Hacking or Penetration Testing (Pen Testing).

The Three Pillars of Ethical Hacking

  1. Permission: You must have explicit, written permission from the owner of the system you are testing (a Statement of Work or Rules of Engagement).
  2. Scope: You must clearly define what is allowed and what is strictly off-limits (IP ranges, specific applications, time windows).
  3. Reporting: You must document all findings, even if you fail to exploit the system, and report them honestly to the owner.

Warning: Unauthorized access to computer systems, even for the purpose of 'testing security,' is illegal and can result in severe penalties, including prison time. Always stay within the agreed-upon scope.