We all know that ethical hackers are also known as white-hat hackers who play a crucial role in cybersecurity by identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them. To achieve their goal of securing systems, ethical hackers employ a diverse array of tools and techniques. Ethical hacker tools strongly contribute to making their work more flexible. 

The size of the ethical hacking or penetration testing market is projected to be USD 4.25 billion in 2024 and is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.59% to reach USD 12.76 billion by 2029. 

By simulating real-world cyber-attacks, ethical hackers use these tools to probe the defenses of an organization, uncover weaknesses, and recommend improvements, thereby fortifying the organization's overall security posture. To become an ethical hacker you must know its critical details and tools information. 

What Tools Does Ethical Hacker Use – Overview 

Cybersecurity experts, also referred to as ethical hackers or penetration testers, employ software programs and utilities called ethical hacking tools to find, examine, and address security flaws in computer systems, networks, and applications. To understand the ethical hacking practices and tools, make sure to check the Certified Ethical Hacking Foundation. 

Through the simulation of cyberattacks, testing of system defenses, and identification of potential holes before hostile actors can exploit them, these technologies allow ethical hackers to do comprehensive security audits. By proactively identifying and resolving security concerns, the main objective of employing these technologies is to improve an organization's security posture. It will also help you to understand different roles and responsibilities of ethical hacker. 

Tools Used by Ethical Hackers 

1. Invicti

Using Invicti, you can automatically scan websites, web applications, and web services for security vulnerabilities. It's a top ethical hacker tool, which is a completely configurable web application security scanner. Any kind of online application can be scanned by Invicti, independent of the platform or programming language used to create it. The only online web application security scanner that automatically exploits vulnerabilities found in a secure, read-only manner to validate issues found is called Invicti.

Key Features:

• Identifies vulnerabilities like SQL injection and XSS automatically with high accuracy.

• Confirms real vulnerabilities by generating proof of exploit to eliminate false positives.

• Integrates with tools like Jira, Jenkins, and GitHub for streamlined collaboration and remediation.

2. Fortify WebInspect

Micro Focus created WebInspect, a dynamic application security testing (DAST) solution. Its purpose is to simulate real-world attacks in order to find security flaws in web applications and services. WebInspect offers comprehensive reports and repair advice in addition to doing comprehensive scans to identify vulnerabilities in web applications, including SQL injection and Cross-Site Scripting (XSS). Spotting and fixing possible security holes before bad actors can take advantage of them helps enterprises improve the security of their web applications.

Key Features:

• Detects a wide range of security vulnerabilities in web applications.

• Provides real-time analysis of web applications' behavior to uncover security issues.

• Integrates with various CI/CD pipelines and development tools for continuous security testing.

3. Nmap (Network Mapper)

The best hacking program ever is used in port scanning, one of the stages of ethical hacking. Originally a command-line utility, Nmap was later created for Linux and Unix-based operating systems. A Windows version of the program is currently accessible. 

In essence, Nmap is a network security mapper that can find hosts and services on a network and use that information to create a network map. This program has a number of capabilities that aid in OS system detection, host finding, and computer network probing.

Key Features:

• Network discovery and reconnaissance through comprehensive port scanning.

• Detection of host OS and services running with accurate fingerprinting.

• Flexible and extensible scripting engine for advanced network analysis and vulnerability detection.

4. Nessus

Tenable created the Nessus platform, which checks for security flaws in hardware, software, operating systems, cloud services, and other network resources. Among other possible vulnerabilities, Nessus finds software bugs, malware, missing patches, denial-of-service vulnerabilities, default passwords, and misconfiguration problems.

Key Features:

• Nessus performs in-depth scanning to identify vulnerabilities across networks, systems, and applications.

• It checks systems against predefined security policies and regulatory requirements.

• Nessus integrates with other tools and supports automation to streamline vulnerability management processes.

5. Nikto

An open-source Perl program called Nikto is used to check web servers for vulnerabilities that could be taken advantage of and lead to server compromise. Additionally, it can use the host's favicon.ico files to fingerprint the server. 

It is made to be quick and effective so that the task may be completed in a short amount of time, not so much as a stealth tool. As a result, by examining the log files, a web administrator can quickly determine that its server is being inspected. 

Key Features:

• Nikto scans web servers for over 6700 potentially dangerous files/CGIs.

• Detects outdated server software, hazardous files, and misconfigurations.

• Performs comprehensive server and CGI scanning, highlighting security risks.

6. Zenmap

Zenmap provides a handy presentation of information about a single host or the results of an entire scan. Zenmap can even create a topology map of networks that are found. Multiple scan results can be merged and viewed simultaneously. Zenmap can display the variations between two scans.

Key Features:

• Graphical frontend for Nmap, offering intuitive network exploration and scanning.

• Provides detailed network mapping and host discovery with clickable visual results.

• Supports customizable scanning profiles and exportable scan results for comprehensive network analysis.

7. Angry IP Scanner

It is an open-source, free IP address finder. Users can obtain basic host information by scanning IP addresses and ports. Cross-platform network scanner Angry IP Scanner is quick and easy to use. 

In addition to its many other features, it searches ports and IP addresses.

Network administrators and general interest users utilize it extensively worldwide, including banks, government agencies, and both big and small businesses.

Key Features:

• Fast and lightweight network scanner for IP address and port scanning.

• Multi-threaded scanning capability for rapid discovery of live hosts and their services.

• Cross-platform support with customizable output formats for network administrators.

8. Advanced IP Scanner

This is the best ethical hacker tool. An IP scanner tool that is free. Features such as wake-on-LAN and remote shutdown are available with the Advanced IP Scanner. The sophisticated IP network scanner provides the availability status of a specific IP. 

IP scanners can also be used to check if IP addresses are available across different subnets. Network capacity planning is made easier by the sophisticated IP Scanner's comprehensive insights into IP availability, which are based on the available address space.

Key Features:

• Quickly scans network devices and ports to provide detailed information on network status.

• Allows remote access to shared folders and control over computers via RDP and Radmin.

• Enables easy export of scan results to CSV for further analysis and troubleshooting.

9. Unicornscan

Security researchers may gather information and assess the security of websites and web servers with Unicornscan. This automated penetration testing application is free and open-source and can be found on GitHub. 

This tool was created with the intention of being precise, expandable, and adaptable for its users. The GPL General Public License is used to release this tool. This utility provides TCP and UDP network protocol scanning. 

Key Features:

• Fast and highly configurable network reconnaissance tool.

• Advanced TCP/IP stack fingerprinting capabilities for precise network analysis.

• Efficient asynchronous scanning with robust port and service detection.

10. Netcat

Data transfer and communication between networks are made possible by Netcat, a multipurpose network utility that doubles as a potent Swiss Army knife for security and troubleshooting duties. 

Key Features:

• Supports TCP and UDP connections, port forwarding, and backdoor creation.

• Network debugging and exploration with built-in encryption options.

• Port scanning, transferring files, and remote shell.

What Is The Purpose Of Ethical Hacking Tools?

Because ethical hacking is used to protect sensitive data from enemies, it is critical for cybersecurity. By using ethical hacking techniques, bad actors are kept from taking advantage of a company or a person. It also lessens the chance of being blackmailed and strengthens cybersecurity defenses.  

Businesses can benefit from using ethical hackers in several ways, chief among them being enhanced cybersecurity. By identifying potential flaws and vulnerabilities and providing practical fixes, ethical hacking can strengthen cybersecurity.

How do Ethical Hacking Tools Integrate with Best Development Practices?

Ethical hacking tools integrate with best development practices by facilitating continuous security testing throughout the software development lifecycle (SDLC). They help identify vulnerabilities early, enabling developers to fix issues before deployment. Tools like automated scanners and code analysis integrate seamlessly with CI/CD pipelines, promoting secure coding practices and ensuring robust application security.

Which Ethical Hacking Tools are right for your team?

Choosing the right Ethical Hacking Tools depends on your team's specific needs and expertise. Consider versatile options like Nmap for network scanning, Metasploit for exploit development, and Burp Suite for web application testing. Tailor your selection based on skill levels, project requirements, and the scope of your security assessments to use the best ethical hacker tools. 

Consider the following components always:

• Skill Level and Expertise: Select tools that match the proficiency of your team members.

• Scope of Testing: Identify the specific areas you need to assess networks, web applications, mobile apps, etc.

• Features and Capabilities: Evaluate tools based on their functionalities, such as vulnerability scanning, exploit development, penetration testing, and reporting capabilities.

• Cost and Licensing: Evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the tools, considering licensing fees, maintenance costs, and whether they offer free or open-source alternatives that meet your requirements.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, ethical hackers, also known as white-hat hackers, play a crucial role in cybersecurity by proactively identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities using a diverse array of tools and techniques. These best ethical hacker tools, such as Nmap for network scanning, Burp Suite for web application testing, and Metasploit for exploit development, enable thorough security assessments and continuous improvement of organizational defenses.