How to Become an Ethical Hacker? Key Steps, Critical Skills, and Top Career Paths for 2025

Ethical hacking is the practice of identifying and fixing security flaws in systems, networks, and applications to prevent cyber attacks. Industries such as government, finance, and healthcare seek ethical hackers to strengthen their cybersecurity defenses.

With data breaches costing an estimated $4.88 million in 2024, the global cybersecurity market is projected to grow by 7.58% by 2029. As cyber threats become more sophisticated, organizations are increasingly relying on ethical hackers to identify and fix security vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.

In this blog, you’ll learn how to become an ethical hacker and the key skills needed to succeed. 

How to Become an Ethical Hacker in India? 9 Key Steps

An ethical hacker conducts penetration testing to analyze cyber security threats and ensure systems comply with security policies. They also train teams in cyber defense strategies.

While ethical hackers aim to enhance security, malicious hackers (black hat hackers) exploit vulnerabilities for financial gain, espionage, or cybercrime.

Aspiring ethical hackers can earn the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification, which helps develop skills in penetration testing and cybersecurity defense.

To become an ethical hacker, certification alone is not enough. You need proficiency in programming languages (Java, Python), knowledge of operating systems, and familiarity with cryptographic techniques.

Here are the key steps to becoming a successful ethical hacker.

Step 1: Gain foundational knowledge of LINUX/UNIX systems

Most cybersecurity systems are based on Linux/Unix environments, making it important for ethical hackers. Learn command-line tools, file permissions, and process management in Linux to build foundation.

Example: Practice with Kali Linux, a penetration testing OS, to explore file manipulation, privilege escalation, and task automation. Practice the following commands:

• Grep: To Search for sensitive data during penetrative testing
• Chmod: Modifies file permissions to test access control mechanisms and identify improper privilege settings.
• Crontab: This can be used to automate security monitoring tasks, such as log analysis, vulnerability scanning, or malware detection.
• Metasploit: This tool is used to exploit vulnerabilities, conduct security assessments, and simulate real-world cyberattacks. 

Build a strong foundation in programming, debugging, and software development tools, which are essential for ethical hacking. Enroll in Online Software Development Courses now!

Step 2: Build expertise in programming languages such as C, Python, JavaScript, and SQL

A strong understanding of languages like C, C++, Python, and JavaScript is critical for identifying and exploiting security vulnerabilities. 

• C & C++: Many legacy systems built using C/C++ are prone to memory-related vulnerabilities like buffer overflows. This can be addressed by C/C++ knowledge.
• Python: Using Python for automation of vulnerability scans or JavaScript for detecting XSS vulnerabilities.
• JavaScript & SQL: Knowledge of SQL and JavaScript is necessary for web security testing and SQL injection attacks.

Example: Using Python’s Scapy library, you can analyze and manipulate network packets, enabling you to test network security and detect vulnerabilities.

Also Read: Top 20 Highest-Paying Programming Languages in India [2025]

Step 3: Learn techniques for online anonymity using tools like Anonsurf, MacChanger, and Proxychains

An ethical hacker must know how to operate anonymously to avoid detection while conducting penetration tests. If anonymity is not explained, it could cause potential legal issues or exposure to retaliatory cyberattacks. Learn anonymity tools such as:

• Anonsurf: To route traffic through Tor networks.
• MacChanger: Spoof MAC address and avoid tracking.
• Proxychains: Allows you to browse through multiple proxy servers.

Example: Proxychains + Tor help ethical hackers evade detection by routing traffic through multiple encrypted proxy servers, masking their real IP address.

Step 4: Develop a strong understanding of networking concepts with tools like Wireshark and Nmap

Knowledge of network protocols, firewalls, and packet analysis is essential for identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in systems. Learn tools such as:

• Wireshark: It can analyze real-time network traffic for security loopholes.
• Nmap: It can scan open ports and detect active services on a target system.

Example: Use Nmap (nmap -sV -p 80 target.com) to Identify Open Web Ports and Services Running on a Website. This can help you identify outdated services which can be exploited.

Also Read: Computer Networking Basics: Network Types, Technologies, Topologies, Pros and Cons

Step 5: Familiarize yourself with the dark web and its security implications

The dark web will help you understand how cybercriminals buy, sell, and trade stolen data, exploit kits and provide hacking services. 

Here’s why knowledge of the dark web is important.

• Identifying data breaches before they cause damage
• Understanding the working of Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS)
• Identify Zero-Day vulnerabilities, which are vulnerabilities unknown to software vendors
• Monitoring phishing kits & fake ID markets

Example: A financial institution’s cybersecurity team uses threat intelligence tools to scan dark web marketplaces for leaked credentials. If identified, the institution can reset its credentials before being exploited.

Step 6: Study cryptography, including encryption and decryption methods

As an ethical hacker, you need to understand how encryption works, how to test its strength, and how attackers exploit weak implementations.

Key techniques you must know include:

• Advanced Encryption Standard (AES): It is used in banking transactions, VPNs, and cloud storage.
• RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman): Used for secure online transactions and authentication.
• SHA-256: Used by blockchain networks to secure transactions.

You can test the strength of the encryption using the following techniques.

• Hashcat: It is used to crack encrypted hashes using brute-force and dictionary attacks.
• John the Ripper: It can identify weakly hashed passwords in Windows, Linux, and macOS environments.
• CyberChef: It can transform encrypted or encoded data
• Wireshark: It can capture unencrypted or poorly encrypted traffic in real time.

Example: A bank’s weak RSA-1024 encryption makes it vulnerable to man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks.

An ethical hacker sets up a rogue Wi-Fi access point and forces clients to use weaker encryption, allowing session hijacking and password theft.

Also Read: Cryptography in Cybersecurity: Definition, Types & Examples

Step 7: Explore hacking techniques such as penetration testing, SQL injections, and vulnerability assessments

Knowledge of hacking techniques like SQL injections is critical for securing web applications, databases, and networks.

Here are some common techniques:

• Penetration Testing: It simulates cyberattacks on a system to identify and fix vulnerabilities before attackers exploit them.
• SQL Injection: Inserts malicious SQL code into a database query, allowing hackers to bypass authentication, steal data, or even delete records.
• Vulnerability Assessments: This is a systematic process to identify security flaws in an organization's applications and infrastructure.
• SQLMap: It automates the process of detecting and exploiting SQL injection vulnerabilities in web applications.
• Burp Suite: This web application testing tool is used by ethical hackers to analyze, intercept, and manipulate HTTP/HTTPS traffic.

Example: Ethical hackers intercept the login request using Burp Suite and try injecting SQL payloads into the username and password fields. This bypasses authentication and grants access to any account.

Step 8: Continuously monitor security vulnerabilities using tools like OpenVAS, Nmap, Nessus, and Wapiti

Security monitoring tools help you detect weaknesses and prevent exploits before they happen. Some key tools used in security monitoring include:

• OpenVAS: This tool can check for security vulnerabilities in networks, applications, and operating systems.
• Nessus: It is a vulnerability assessment tool that scans systems for outdated software and firewall faults.
• Wapiti: It can identify injection flaws and authentication weaknesses in web applications.

Example: Use Nessus to scan Apache web servers vulnerable to Remote Code Execution (RCE) attacks. 

Step 9: Gain hands-on experience by participating in bug bounty programs and cybersecurity competitions

By participating in Capture The Flag (CTF) competitions, you can gain practical experience and understand real attack scenarios. Financial incentives are additional benefits. 

Many firms also actively hire from CTF events and bug bounty platforms, opening up job opportunities.

Here’s how you can gain practical experience through these programs.

• Big Bounty programs: Allows you to legally test websites, applications, and software for flaws in exchange for monetary rewards.
• Capture The Flag (CTF) Competitions: It creates a real-world scenario where participants have to break into vulnerable systems, crack passwords, and analyze encrypted data.

Example: Ethical hackers have earned millions of dollars in bug bounties by responsibly reporting security flaws to companies like Google, Facebook, and Tesla.

Additionally, you can learn reverse engineering to analyze exploits and understand cyber laws and compliance to ensure ethical and legal hacking practices.

Explore the key fundamentals of cybersecurity and its role in data security. Join the free course on Fundamentals of Cybersecurity.

Now that you know how to become an ethical hacker, let’s explore the essential skills that will set you apart.

Essential Skills for Ethical Hackers in 2025

Technical skills like Python programming, cryptographic techniques (e.g., hashing), and SQL proficiency can set you apart. Additionally, soft skills like problem-solving and analytical thinking are crucial for ethical hackers.

Here are the required skills for ethical hackers.

After reviewing the essential skills for ethical hackers, let’s explore the potential career opportunities in this field.

Best Career Opportunities for Ethical Hackers in 2025

An ethical hacker with skills in testing, network protocols, and cryptography can apply for roles like security engineer and penetration tester.

Here are some potential career opportunities for ethical hackers.

Source: Glassdoor

After exploring career opportunities for ethical hackers, let’s look at the steps to build a successful career in this field.

How upGrad Supports Your Ethical Hacking Career Growth?

A strong foundation in networking, scripting, cryptography, and problem-solving skills is essential for building a career in ethical hacking. Additionally, understanding software engineering principles can further enhance your expertise. 

upGrad can help you develop foundational skills in Python programming and cloud computing, which are valuable for expanding your hacking knowledge.

Here are some courses that can help you upskill on the side:

• Professional Certificate Program in Cloud Computing and DevOps
• Fundamentals of Cloud Computing
• Learn Basic Python Programming
• Advanced JavaScript for All
• Core Java Basics

Unsure which course aligns with your career goals? upGrad offers personalized counseling to help map your learning journey and choose the right path. You can also visit your nearest upGrad offline center for an interactive experience!

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Reference Links:
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/penetration-tester-salary-SRCH_KO0,18.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/security-analyst-salary-SRCH_KO0,16.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/cyber-security-consultant-salary-SRCH_KO0,25.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/security-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,17.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/threat-intelligence-analyst-salary-SRCH_KO0,27.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/red-team-salary-SRCH_KO0,8.htm
https://www.varonis.com/blog/cybersecurity-statistics
https://www.statista.com/outlook/tmo/cybersecurity/worldwide
https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/34-Cybersecurity-Statistics-to-Lose-Sleep-Over-in-2020