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A hacking tool is a program designed to assist with hacking, or a legitimate utility that can also be used for hacking.
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Examples
Examples include Nmap, Nessus, John the Ripper, SuperScan, p0f, and Winzapper.[1] Bribes, even chocolate bars, have also been designated as among the most potent hacking tools, due to its potential exploitation in social engineering attacks.[2] Occasionally, common software such as ActiveX is exploited as a hacking tool as well.[3]
Hacking tools such as Cain and Abel, however, are well known as Script Kiddie Tools. Script kiddies are people who follow instructions from a manual, without realising how it happens. These Script Kiddies have been an enormous threat to computer security as there are many hacking tools and keyloggers up for download and are free.
Worms
Another example of a hacking tool is a computer worm. These malicious programs detect vulnerabilities in operating systems. Not all worms, however, are malicious. The Nachi Worms have actually fixed operating system vulnerabilities by downloading and installing security patches from the Microsoft website.
Port Scanners
Port scanners detect vulnerabilities in firewalls, and are able to find a great deal about the computer system, such as the operating system, ISP, wireless routers and how long the system has been online. However, port scanners are the best security auditing tools.
References
- ^ Top 15 Security/Hacking Tools and Utilities, July 23, 2007.
- ^ New hacking tool: chocolate, Munir Kotadia, Zdnet, Apr. 20, 2004.
- ^ ActiveX used as hacking tool, CNet, Feb. 7, 1997.
External links
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