Types of Hacking

Classification of Hacking Methods and Techniques

Understanding Different Approaches to System Exploitation

Hacking Classification Overview

Multiple Classification Systems: Hacking can be categorized by target type, methodology, motivation, legality, or technical approach.

By Target:

Network hacking
Web application hacking
System hacking
Wireless hacking
Mobile hacking
Physical hacking

By Approach:

Social engineering
Technical exploitation
Physical intrusion
Insider threats
Supply chain attacks
Advanced persistent threats

Network Hacking

Network Hacking: Exploiting vulnerabilities in network infrastructure, protocols, and communication channels to gain unauthorized access or disrupt services.

Common Techniques:

Port scanning and enumeration
Man-in-the-middle attacks
ARP spoofing and poisoning
DNS hijacking and poisoning
DHCP attacks
VLAN hopping

Network Protocols Targeted:

TCP/IP stack vulnerabilities
Routing protocol attacks (BGP, OSPF)
Network service exploits (SNMP, NTP)
VPN and tunneling protocols
Network authentication protocols

Network Attack Tools:

Nmap: Network scanning and discovery
Wireshark: Packet capture and analysis
Ettercap: Network security auditing
Netcat: Network utility and backdoor
Scapy: Packet manipulation library

Network Hacking Example - ARP Spoofing:
1. Attacker discovers target network using Nmap
2. Uses Ettercap to poison ARP tables
3. Redirects traffic through attacker's machine
4. Captures and analyzes intercepted packets
5. Extracts credentials or sensitive information

Web Application Hacking

Web Application Hacking: Exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications, including client-side and server-side flaws to compromise application security.

OWASP Top 10 Attack Types:

SQL Injection: Database query manipulation
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): Script injection
Cross-Site Request Forgery: Unauthorized actions
Security Misconfiguration: Poor configuration
Broken Authentication: Auth bypass
Sensitive Data Exposure: Data leakage

Web Hacking Techniques:

Directory Traversal: File system access
Command Injection: OS command execution
File Upload Attacks: Malicious file uploads
Session Hijacking: Session token theft
Cookie Manipulation: Authentication bypass
HTTP Header Injection: Protocol manipulation

Web Application Testing Tools:
• Burp Suite: Web application security platform
• OWASP ZAP: Web application security scanner
• SQLmap: Automatic SQL injection detection
• Nikto: Web server scanner
• Wfuzz: Web application fuzzer
• Gobuster: Directory and file brute-forcer

System Hacking

System Hacking: Exploiting vulnerabilities in operating systems, applications, and services running on individual computers or servers.

Operating System Attacks:

Privilege escalation
Buffer overflow exploits
Kernel exploits
Registry manipulation
Service exploitation
Driver vulnerabilities

Application Attacks:

Software vulnerability exploitation
Patch management failures
Configuration weaknesses
Third-party component flaws
Memory corruption attacks
Race condition exploits

Persistence Techniques:

Rootkit installation
Service manipulation
Scheduled task creation
Registry modification
User account creation
Boot sector modification

System Hacking Process:
1. Footprinting: Gather system information
2. Scanning: Identify open ports and services
3. Enumeration: Extract detailed service information
4. Exploitation: Execute exploit against vulnerability
5. Escalation: Gain higher privileges
6. Persistence: Maintain access for future use

Wireless Hacking

Wireless Hacking: Exploiting vulnerabilities in wireless networks, protocols, and devices to gain unauthorized access or intercept communications.

WiFi Security Attacks:

WEP Cracking: Breaking weak encryption
WPA/WPA2 Attacks: Dictionary attacks
Evil Twin: Rogue access point
Deauthentication: Forcing disconnections
WPS Attacks: PIN brute forcing
Packet Injection: Traffic manipulation

Bluetooth and Other Wireless:

Bluejacking: Unsolicited messages
Bluesnarfing: Data theft via Bluetooth
RFID/NFC Attacks: Card cloning
Zigbee Exploitation: IoT device attacks
Cellular Attacks: Mobile network exploitation
Satellite Communication: Intercepting signals

Wireless Hacking Tools:
• Aircrack-ng: WiFi security auditing suite
• Kismet: Wireless network detector
• Wifite: Automated wireless attack tool
• Reaver: WPS PIN attack tool
• Bluez: Bluetooth protocol stack
• SDR Tools: Software-defined radio for signal analysis

Mobile Hacking

Mobile Hacking: Exploiting vulnerabilities in mobile devices, applications, and mobile network infrastructure.

Mobile App Attacks:

Reverse engineering applications
API vulnerability exploitation
Insecure data storage
Weak cryptography
Authentication bypass
Runtime manipulation

Device-Level Attacks:

Rooting/Jailbreaking
Firmware modification
Bootloader unlocking
SIM card cloning
Hardware tampering
Side-channel attacks

Network-Based Mobile Attacks:

Rogue base stations (IMSI catchers)
SMS and call interception
Mobile malware distribution
Carrier network exploitation
Mobile device management bypass

Mobile Security Testing Platforms:
• Android: Android Debug Bridge (ADB), Frida, MobSF
• iOS: iOS App Signer, Clutch, class-dump
• Cross-platform: OWASP Mobile Top 10, Burp Suite Mobile Assistant

Social Engineering Hacking

Social Engineering Attack Framework:
1. Information Gathering: Research targets and organization
2. Relationship Building: Establish trust with targets
3. Exploitation: Request sensitive information
4. Execution: Use obtained information for access

Tools: Social Engineer Toolkit (SET), King Phisher, Gophish

Physical Hacking

Physical Hacking: Gaining unauthorized physical access to systems, facilities, or hardware to compromise security.

Lock and Access Attacks:

Lock picking and bumping
RFID/badge cloning
Magnetic stripe duplication
Biometric bypass techniques
Door and window sensors bypass
Security camera blind spots

Hardware Attacks:

USB device attacks (Rubber Ducky)
Hardware keyloggers
Network taps and implants
Firmware modification
Component substitution
Side-channel analysis

Physical Infiltration:

Building reconnaissance
Social engineering for access
Uniform and credential forgery
Maintenance and delivery impersonation
After-hours facility access
Environmental manipulation

Physical Security Testing Tools:
• Lock picks: Manual and electric pick guns
• RFID tools: Proxmark3, RFID cloning devices
• USB weapons: USB Rubber Ducky, Bash Bunny
• Network tools: LAN Turtle, Packet Squirrel
• Surveillance: Hidden cameras, audio recorders

Advanced Persistent Threats (APT)

Notable APT Groups:
• APT1 (Comment Crew): Chinese PLA Unit 61398
• Cozy Bear (APT29): Russian SVR
• Fancy Bear (APT28): Russian GRU
• Lazarus Group: North Korean state-sponsored
• Equation Group: NSA-linked sophisticated group

Insider Threat Hacking

Insider Threats: Security risks posed by individuals within the organization who have authorized access to systems and data.

Malicious Insiders:

Intentional data theft or sabotage
Selling confidential information
Installing backdoors or malware
Misusing administrative privileges
Intellectual property theft
System manipulation for personal gain

Negligent Insiders:

Accidental data exposure
Poor security practices
Social engineering victims
Misconfigured systems
Unsafe data handling
Policy violations without intent

Compromised Insiders:

Accounts compromised by external attackers
Credentials stolen through phishing
Coercion or blackmail
Malware on personal devices
Third-party vendor compromises

Insider Threat Detection:
• User Behavior Analytics (UBA): Detecting anomalous activities
• Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Monitoring data movement
• Privileged Access Management (PAM): Controlling admin access
• Security Awareness Training: Reducing negligent behavior

Supply Chain Attacks

Supply Chain Attacks: Targeting less secure elements in the supply chain to compromise the primary target through trusted relationships.

Software Supply Chain:

Third-party Libraries: Compromised dependencies
Software Updates: Malicious update packages
Development Tools: Compromised build systems
Code Repositories: Malicious code injection
Open Source Software: Trojanized packages

Hardware Supply Chain:

Firmware Modification: Pre-installed malware
Component Substitution: Malicious hardware
Manufacturing Compromise: Factory-level attacks
Shipping Interception: Hardware modification in transit
Vendor Compromise: Trusted supplier attacks

Notable Supply Chain Attacks:
• SolarWinds (2020): Software update compromise affecting thousands
• CCleaner (2017): Compromised software distribution
• NotPetya (2017): Ukrainian accounting software compromise
• ASUS Live Update (2019): Hardware vendor software compromise

Zero-Day Attacks

Zero-Day Defense Strategies:
• Behavioral Analysis: Detecting unknown attack patterns
• Sandboxing: Isolating suspicious code execution
• Application Control: Whitelisting known-good software
• Threat Intelligence: Early warning systems
• Incident Response: Rapid containment capabilities

Defense Strategies by Hack Type

Hack Type	Primary Defenses	Detection Methods	Response Strategies
Network	Firewalls, IDS/IPS, Network segmentation	Traffic analysis, Anomaly detection	Isolate compromised segments
Web App	WAF, Secure coding, Input validation	Log analysis, Vulnerability scanning	Patch applications, Block attacks
System	Patch management, Endpoint protection	Host monitoring, Behavioral analysis	Rebuild systems, Update defenses
Social Engineering	Security awareness, Email filtering	User reporting, Email analysis	User education, Policy updates
Physical	Access controls, Surveillance	Physical monitoring, Audit logs	Secure facilities, Update policies
Insider	Access controls, Monitoring	User behavior analytics	Investigate, Revoke access

Key Takeaways

Hacking methods are diverse and target different system layers
Each hack type requires specialized knowledge, tools, and techniques
Network and web application hacking are most common attack vectors
Social engineering exploits human psychology rather than technology
Physical security remains a critical but often overlooked vulnerability
APTs represent sophisticated, long-term targeted campaigns
Insider threats pose unique challenges requiring behavioral monitoring
Defense requires understanding and preparing for each attack type

Remember: Effective cybersecurity requires understanding all attack vectors and implementing layered defenses appropriate to each threat type

Thank You

Questions & Discussion

Next: Ethical Hacking Fundamentals