Top 25 Ethical Hacking Tools And Software In 2023

Hacking Tools and Software

Hacking refers to unauthorized access to computer systems or networks using tools and technology such as computer programs and scripts. These tools, developed by experts, are utilized by hackers to identify vulnerabilities in operating systems, web applications, servers, and networks.

Recently, many employers, particularly in the banking sector, have been employing ethical hacking tools to safeguard their data from potential attackers. These hacking tools can be obtained through open-source software (freeware or shareware) or commercial solutions.

It’s important to note that these tools should only be downloaded from trusted sources and used for legitimate and ethical purposes.

Importance of Hacking Software

The significance of hacking software is often misunderstood, leading to concerns about potential damage to computer systems. However, in reality, hacking software plays a crucial role in safeguarding valuable assets, both in terms of data and hardware, from malicious attacks.

As a result, the demand for ethical hacking experts has grown, prompting companies to hire professionals in this field. Here are some key benefits and features of hacking software:

Enhanced Security: Hacking software helps protect end users from internal and external threats, ensuring the safety of sensitive information.

Network Testing: It evaluates network security by identifying and rectifying vulnerabilities, thereby fortifying the system against potential breaches.

Home Network Security: Ethical hacking software can also be downloaded to secure personal home networks from threats, providing additional protection.

Vulnerability Assessment: With the help of hacking software, one can perform a vulnerability assessment to identify and address potential weaknesses in their network or system, preventing external attacks.

Security Auditing: Hacking software is instrumental in conducting security audits within a company, ensuring that computer systems operate smoothly and without any vulnerabilities.

By understanding the importance of ethical tools for hacking, individuals and organizations can proactively strengthen their security measures, safeguarding their valuable assets from potential threats.

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Top Ethical Hacking Tools

Invicti

Invicti is a powerful web application security scanner that automatically detects vulnerabilities like SQL Injection, XSS, and more in web applications or services. It is commonly available as a SAAS (Software-as-a-Service) solution.

Key Features:

It uses unique Proof-Based Scanning Technology to provide highly accurate vulnerability detection.
Minimal configuration is required, and it offers a scalable solution.
It can automatically detect URL rewrite rules and custom 404 error pages.
It provides a REST API for seamless integration with SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle) and bug-tracking systems.
It can scan over 1,000 web applications within just 24 hours.
Price: The cost ranges from $4,500 to $26,600, depending on the desired Invicti Security features.

Fortify WebInspect

Fortify WebInspect is an advanced hacking tool designed for comprehensive dynamic analysis security of complex web applications and services.

Key Features:

It identifies security vulnerabilities by testing the dynamic behavior of running web applications.
It provides relevant information and statistics to keep scanning under control.
It offers centralized program management, vulnerability trending, compliance management, and risk oversight.
It caters to both professional-level security testers and novice users.
Price: The cost for Fortify WebInspect is approximately 24,18,508 INR provided by HP, which includes Tran security and virus protection.

Cain & Abel

Cain & Abel is a password recovery tool that Microsoft provides for operating systems.

Key Features:

It helps recover MS Access passwords.
It can be used for network sniffing.
It uncovers password fields.
It employs dictionary attacks, brute-force attacks, and cryptanalysis to crack encrypted passwords.
Price: Cain & Abel is a free tool and can be downloaded from open-source platforms.

Nmap (Network Mapper)

Nmap is an exceptional hacking software primarily used for port scanning, an essential phase in ethical hacking. Originally a command-line tool, it has been developed for various operating systems, including Linux, Unix, and Windows.

Key Features:

Nmap is a network security mapper that discovers services and hosts on a network, creating a network map.
It offers probing computer networks, host discovery, and operating system detection features.
It is script-extensible, allowing for advanced vulnerability detection and adaptation to network conditions such as congestion and latency during scanning.
These hacking tools serve specific purposes and can be valuable assets for professionals in the field of cybersecurity.

Nessus

Nessus is a widely recognized and popular vulnerability scanner, developed by Tenable Network Security. It is primarily recommended for non-enterprise usage and is available for free. This powerful network vulnerability scanner efficiently identifies critical bugs and vulnerabilities on any system.

Key Features of Nessus:

Detects unpatched services and misconfigurations.
Identifies weak passwords, including default and common ones.
Finds various system vulnerabilities that could pose a risk.

Nikto

Nikto is a web scanner designed to test and scan multiple web servers to identify outdated software, potentially dangerous CGIs or files, and other issues. It performs server-specific and generic checks, capturing received cookies. Nikto is an open-source tool, freely available for use. It checks for version-specific problems across 270 servers, identifies default programs and files, and provides valuable security insights.

Key Features of Nikto:

An open-source tool for web server scanning.
Identifies over 6400 potentially dangerous CGIs or files.
Checks servers for outdated versions and version-specific problems.
Examines plug-ins and misconfigured files.
Identifies insecure programs and files.

Kismet

Kismet is a powerful ethical hacking tool for testing wireless networks, including wireless LAN and wardriving. It passively identifies networks, collects packets, and detects non-beaconing and hidden networks through data traffic analysis.

Key Features of Kismet:

It acts as a sniffer and wireless network detector.
Works with various wireless cards and supports raw-monitoring mode.
It runs on Linux operating systems like Ubuntu and BackTrack and occasionally on Windows.
These hacking tools serve different purposes and can be valuable assets for cybersecurity professionals and enthusiasts.

NetStumbler

NetStumbler is an ethical hacking tool designed to prevent wardriving. It operates on Windows operating systems and can detect IEEE 902.11g, 802, and 802.11b networks. A newer version called MiniStumbler is now available.

Uses of NetStumbler ethical hacking software:

Identifying AP (Access Point) network configurations.
Finding sources of interference.
Assessing the strength of received signals.
Detecting unauthorized access points.

Acunetix

Acunetix is a fully automated ethical hacking tool that detects and reports on over 4500 web vulnerabilities, including XSS and SQL Injection. It provides comprehensive support for JavaScript, HTML5, and single-page applications, making it suitable for auditing complex authenticated applications.

Key Features of Acunetix:

Consolidated view of scan results.
Integration of scanner results into other platforms and tools.
Risk prioritization based on data.

Also read: What are the 6 main ethical issues in research?

Netsparker

If you’re looking for a tool that mimics hacker techniques, Netsparker is a great choice. It identifies vulnerabilities in web APIs and applications, including cross-site scripting and SQL Injection.

Features of Netsparker:

Available as an online service or Windows software.
Unique verification of identified vulnerabilities to eliminate false positives.
Time-saving automated verification, eliminating the need for manual checks.

Intruder

The intruder is a fully automated scanner that searches for cybersecurity weaknesses, explains the risks found, and assists in addressing them. With over 9000 security checks, it simplifies vulnerability management.

Key Features of Intruder:

Identifies missing patches, misconfigurations, and common web app issues.
Integrates with Slack, Jira, and major cloud providers.
Prioritises results based on context.
Proactively scans systems for the latest vulnerabilities.

Metasploit

Metasploit Framework is an open-source tool, while Metasploit Pro is a commercial offering with a 14-day free trial. It is primarily used for penetration testing, allowing ethical hackers to develop and execute exploit codes against remote targets.

Key Features of Metasploit:

Cross-platform support.
Ideal for finding security vulnerabilities.
Great for creating evasion and anti-forensic tools.
These ethical hacking tools serve different purposes and can be valuable assets for cybersecurity professionals and enthusiasts.

Aircrack-Ng

As wireless networks become increasingly popular, it’s crucial to prioritize Wi-Fi security. Aircrack-Ng offers command-line tools for ethical hackers to assess and evaluate Wi-Fi network security.

It focuses on monitoring, testing, attacking, and cracking. Aircrack-Ng is compatible with various operating systems, including Windows, OS X, Linux, eComStation, 2Free BSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, and Solaris.

Key Features of Aircrack-Ng:

Supports exporting data to text files.
Capable of cracking WEP keys and WPA2-PSK and checking Wi-Fi cards.
Compatible with multiple platforms.

Wireshark

Wireshark is an excellent hacking software that analyzes data packets and performs in-depth inspections of various established protocols. It allows users to export analysis results to different file formats such as CSV, PostScript, Plaintext, and XML.

Key features of Wireshark

Conducts live captures and offline analysis.
Supports multiple platforms.
Enables coloring rules to enhance packet list analysis.
It’s free to use.

OpenVAS

OpenVAS, also known as the Open Vulnerability Assessment Scanner, is a comprehensive tool that performs authenticated and unauthenticated testing and performs tuning. It is designed for large-scale scans and offers capabilities for various Internet and industrial protocols, supported by a robust internal programming language.

SQLMap

SQLMap is an open-source hacking software that automates the process of detecting and exploiting SQL Injection flaws, enabling control over database servers. It supports direct connections to specific databases and provides comprehensive SQL injection techniques, including Boolean-based blind, error-based, stacked queries, time-based blind, UNION query-based, and out-of-band methods.

Key Features of SQLMap:

Powerful detection engine.
Capable of executing arbitrary commands.
Supports multiple database systems such as MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, and more.
Ettercap
Ettercap is a free tool that excels in creating custom plug-ins and offers features such as content filtering, live connections sniffing, network and host analysis, and active and passive dissection of various protocols.

Maltego

Maltego is a dedicated tool for link analysis and data mining, available in different versions catering to different user needs. It facilitates real-time information gathering and data mining, presenting results in easy-to-understand graphics. Maltego is compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Burp Suite

Burp Suite is a security-testing tool available in different editions, including a free Community edition, a Professional edition, and an Enterprise edition. It stands out as a web vulnerability scanner and offers features like scan scheduling, repeating out-of-band techniques, and integration with continuous integration (CI) systems.

John the Ripper

John the Ripper is a free password-cracking tool primarily used for detecting weak UNIX passwords. It supports multiple operating systems, including DOS, Windows, and OpenVMS. The tool is highly customizable and offers various password-cracking methods and tests for encrypted passwords.

Angry IP Scanner

Angry IP Scanner is a free tool for scanning IP addresses and ports. It can be used on the internet or local networks and supports Windows, macOS, and Linux. It allows export results in different formats and offers a command-line interface with extensibility options.

These hacking tools serve different purposes and can be valuable assets for cybersecurity professionals and enthusiasts.

Also read: Choosing the Right Business Intelligence Software

SolarWinds Security Event Manager

SolarWinds Security Event Manager is a software solution designed to enhance computer security by automatically detecting threats and monitoring security policies. With the help of this tool, you can keep track of your log files and receive instant alerts if any suspicious activities occur.

Key Features of SolarWinds Security Event Manager:

Built-in integrity monitoring to ensure the security of your system.
Intuitive dashboard and user interface for easy navigation and monitoring.
Recognized as one of the best Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools, helping you efficiently manage memory stick storage.

Traceroute NG

Traceroute NG focuses on network path analysis, allowing you to identify hostnames, packet loss, and IP addresses. It provides precise analysis via a command-line interface.

Features of Traceroute NG:

Supports both IP4 and IPV6 protocols.
Detects changes in network paths and provides alerts to keep you informed.
Enables continuous network probing for ongoing monitoring.

LiveAction

LiveAction is one of the top ethical hacking tools available today. When used with LiveAction packet intelligence, it allows for faster and more effective diagnosis of network issues.

Highlighted Features of LiveAction:

User-friendly workflow that simplifies network management and troubleshooting.
Automates data capture to provide fast responses to security alerts.
Packet intelligence offers in-depth analyses for comprehensive insights.
Onsite deployment options are available for use with appliances.

QualysGuard

QualysGuard is a powerful security tool that focuses on checking vulnerabilities in online cloud systems. It helps businesses streamline compliance and security solutions, incorporating security into digital transformation initiatives.

Key Features of QualysGuard:

Globally trusted online hacking tool for comprehensive security assessment.
Scalable, end-to-end solution for various IT security needs.
Real-time data analysis to keep up with the latest threats and vulnerabilities.
Rapid response to real-time security incidents.

WebInspect

WebInspect is an automated dynamic testing tool designed specifically for ethical hacking operations. It offers a detailed analysis of complicated web applications and services.

Features of WebInspect:

Provides users with control over scans through relevant statistics and information.
Offers a range of technologies suitable for different levels of testers, from novices to professionals.
Tests the dynamic behavior of web applications to identify and address security vulnerabilities.
These hacking tools are valuable assets for enhancing computer security, analyzing network paths, and ensuring the overall integrity of systems and applications.

FAQs

Who is the most famous hacker in the world?

Kevin Mitnick, in 1995 when the US Department of Justice declared him the world's most famous hacker. Mitnick started practicing hacking at a young age.

What are the common ethical hacking tools and software in 2023?

Learn about common tools used by ethical hackers in 2022, including Invicti, Fortify WebInspect, Cain & Abel, Nmap, Nessus, Nikto, Kismet, and NetStumbler.

How to learn to hack?

A crucial part of learning how to hack is trial and error. Hackers often use programs to test their abilities. Understanding what works and what doesn't is essential to learn so that you can become a skilled hacker through trial and error.

Name no. 1 hacker in India

Vivek Ramachandran is a famous Indian hacker, author, speaker, and security researcher. He is the founder and CEO of SecurityTube and Pentester Academy. His books are world-renowned and are included in ethical hacking courses in India.

Which programming language do hackers use?

Hackers use programming languages like PHP, Python, and SQL for both malicious and ethical purposes. Ethical hacking involves proactive techniques.

Top 25 Ethical Hacking Tools and Software in 2023

Hacking Tools and Software