What Is Ethical Hacking? A Beginner's Guide to Authorised Security Testing

Ethical hacking involves testing computer systems, networks, and applications for security weaknesses, using hacking techniques with the system owner's permission. Unlike malicious attackers, ethical hackers, often called white-hat hackers, work to fix vulnerabilities before criminals can exploit them. The practice is increasingly important because businesses hold valuable customer and financial data that makes them attractive targets for cyberattacks. The article also distinguishes white-hat, black-hat, and grey-hat hackers, emphasising that authorisation is the key difference, since unauthorised testing can still be illegal. It concludes by outlining the structured process ethical hackers typically follow when assessing an organisation's security.