Who is a Hacker? Key Terminologies, Top Operating Systems, and Commonly Hacked Ports in Ethical Hacking!
Table of Contents:
- Who is a Hacker?
- Ethical Hacking Terminologies
- Top Operating Systems for Ethical Hackers
- Commonly Hacked Ports
- Conclusion
In the world of cybersecurity, the term "hacker" is often misunderstood. While movies portray hackers as criminals in dark rooms, the reality is far more nuanced. Ethical hackers play a crucial role in protecting digital infrastructure by identifying vulnerabilities before malicious hackers can exploit them. In this post, we’ll explore who hackers really are, common ethical hacking terms, the best operating systems for ethical hacking, and the most frequently targeted network ports.
Who is a Hacker?
A hacker is someone who uses technical skills to gain access to systems, networks, or data. Not all hackers are criminals. Based on intent, hackers are typically classified into the following types:
- White Hat Hackers – Ethical hackers who work to secure systems.
- Black Hat Hackers – Malicious hackers who break into systems illegally.
- Grey Hat Hackers – Those who may violate rules but without malicious intent.
- Script Kiddies – Inexperienced users who rely on pre-written tools.
- Hacktivists – Hackers who breach systems to support political or social causes.
- State-Sponsored Hackers – Work for government entities to perform surveillance or cyberwarfare.
Ethical Hacking Terminologies:
Here are some key terms every ethical hacker should know:
- Vulnerability: A weakness in a system that can be exploited.
- Exploit: A method or piece of code used to take advantage of a vulnerability.
- Payload: The part of malware that performs a malicious action.
- Footprinting: The process of gathering information about a target system.
- Reconnaissance: Initial stage where data about the target is collected.
- Privilege Escalation: Gaining higher-level access than initially granted.
- Backdoor: A hidden way to bypass normal authentication.
- Phishing: A method to trick users into revealing sensitive information.
Top Operating Systems for Ethical Hackers:
- Kali Linux – Most popular OS for penetration testing with hundreds of tools.
- Parrot OS – Lightweight, privacy-focused alternative to Kali.
- BlackArch – Advanced Linux distro for security researchers.
- BountyOS – Specialized for bug bounty hunters.
- Tails – Used for anonymity and secure communications.
- BackBox – Ubuntu-based OS for network analysis and security assessments.
Commonly Hacked Ports:
Ethical hackers and attackers often target specific network ports known for vulnerabilities or weak configurations. Here's a list of the most commonly hacked ports in 2025 and their purposes:
Port |
Protocol |
Service |
Why It’s Targeted |
|---|---|---|---|
21 |
FTP |
File Transfer Protocol |
Often misconfigured or outdated |
22 |
SSH |
Secure Shell |
Brute-force login attempts are common |
23 |
Telnet |
Remote Terminal Access |
Transmits data without encryption |
25 |
SMTP |
Email Sending |
Used for spam and spoofing attacks |
80 |
HTTP |
Web Traffic |
Common web app vulnerabilities |
443 |
HTTPS |
Secure Web Traffic |
SSL/TLS misconfigurations |
445 |
SMB |
File Sharing |
Used in many ransomware attacks |
3389 |
RDP |
Remote Desktop Protocol |
Target for unauthorized access |
Conclusion
Ethical hacking is about staying ahead of cybercriminals by understanding how they operate. Whether you're just getting started or sharpening your skills, knowing key terminology, using the right tools and OS, and recognizing vulnerable network ports can make you a more effective cybersecurity professional.