Top Ethical Hacking Interview Questions to Know

Ethical hacking, also known as white-hat hacking or penetration testing, has become a critical aspect of cybersecurity in today's digital landscape. As organisations strive to protect their systems and data from malicious attacks, skilled professionals adept at ethical hacking techniques are in high demand. By familiarising yourself with these certified ethical hacker interview questions, you can gain the confidence and knowledge needed to excel in your interview and showcase your expertise in the field of ethical hacking. Read more to learn about ethical hacking online courses.

Latest: 13 Online Digital Advertising courses

Don't Miss: Top Online Hacking courses with certificates

If you are preparing for ethical hacking interview questions, it is essential to be well-prepared for the questions that may arise. This article presents a curated list of top ethical hacking interview questions to help you understand the key areas of focus and prepare effectively.

What are Some Popular Ethical Hacking Interview Questions

1. What is ethical hacking?

Ethical hacking, also known as penetration testing or white-hat hacking, is a process of intentionally and legally attempting to exploit vulnerabilities in computer systems, networks, or applications. Ethical hackers use their skills and knowledge to identify security weaknesses and vulnerabilities in order to help organisations improve their overall security posture and protect against malicious hackers.

2. What are the different types of hacking?

There are various types of hacking, including:

• White-hat hacking: Ethical hacking conducted by authorised professionals to identify and fix security vulnerabilities.

• Black-hat hacking: Malicious hacking performed with the intent to gain unauthorised access, steal information, or cause damage.

• Grey-hat hacking: Hacking performed by individuals who may not have explicit authorisation but discover vulnerabilities and notify the affected organisation.

• Phishing: A social engineering technique that tricks individuals into revealing sensitive information by impersonating legitimate entities.

• DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service): Overloading a target system or network with traffic to disrupt its services.

• SQL injection: Exploiting vulnerabilities in a web application's database layer to gain unauthorised access to data.

Also Read:

• Free Ethical Hacking Courses & Certifications
• Top 7 Online Ethical Hacking Courses with Certificates

3. What is a vulnerability assessment?

A vulnerability assessment is a process of systematically identifying and analysing vulnerabilities within a system or network. It involves using automated tools and manual techniques to scan for security weaknesses and misconfigurations. The purpose of a vulnerability assessment is to assess the level of risk and provide recommendations for mitigating or eliminating identified vulnerabilities.

4. What is the difference between vulnerability scanning and penetration testing?

Vulnerability scanning and penetration testing are two different approaches to assessing security:

• Vulnerability scanning: It is an automated process that uses specialised software to scan systems, networks, or applications for known vulnerabilities. It provides a comprehensive list of vulnerabilities but does not exploit them or assess the impact of the vulnerabilities.

• Penetration testing: It involves authorised hacking attempts to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in a controlled manner. Penetration testers simulate real-world attacks to assess the security posture of a system or network. It goes beyond vulnerability scanning by actively exploiting weaknesses, gaining unauthorised access, and assessing the impact of potential attacks.

5. What is a firewall, and how does it work?

This is asked in many ethical hacking interview questions for freshers. A firewall is a network security device that acts as a barrier between an internal network and external networks, such as the Internet. It monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. Firewalls inspect network packets, determine whether to allow or block them based on the defined ruleset and provide protection against unauthorised access and malicious activities.

6. What is social engineering, and how can it be prevented?

Social engineering is a technique used to manipulate individuals into divulging confidential information or performing actions that may compromise security. It exploits human psychology rather than technical vulnerabilities. Preventing social engineering attacks requires:

• Employee awareness and training: Educating employees about common social engineering tactics and how to identify and respond to them effectively.

• Strong access controls: Implementing strict access controls and procedures to limit access to sensitive information.

• Multi-factor authentication: Requiring additional verification methods, such as biometrics or one-time passwords, to prevent unauthorised access.

• Regular security audits: Conduct periodic security audits to identify and address potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited by social engineering attacks.

7. What is a vulnerability disclosure process, and why is it important?

This is one of the most asked interview questions on ethical hacking. A vulnerability disclosure process, also known as a responsible disclosure process, is a structured approach for reporting and addressing discovered security vulnerabilities. It involves ethical hackers or researchers responsibly disclosing the vulnerabilities to the affected organisation, giving them an opportunity to fix the issues before they are publicly disclosed. It is important because it allows organisations to address vulnerabilities promptly, minimizing the risk of exploitation by malicious hackers and protecting users' data and systems.

8. Can you explain the concept of "least privilege" in the context of security?

This is one of the top interview questions for ethical hacking. The principle of least privilege is a security concept that restricts user accounts or processes to only the minimum privileges necessary to perform their tasks. It means granting users or processes the least amount of access rights required to complete their job functions, reducing the potential impact of a compromised account or process. By adhering to the principle of least privilege, organisations can mitigate the risk of unauthorised access, data breaches, and privilege escalation attacks.

9. What is a network intrusion detection system (IDS) and how does it work?

These kinds of hacking questions can be answered like the following. A network intrusion detection system (IDS) is a security tool that monitors network traffic for suspicious or malicious activities. It analyses network packets, looking for patterns or signatures that indicate potential security threats, such as unauthorised access attempts, malware, or unusual network behavior. IDS can work in two modes: signature-based and anomaly-based. Signature-based IDS compares network traffic against a database of known attack signatures, while anomaly-based IDS uses baseline models to detect deviations from normal network behavior. When an IDS detects a potential threat, it generates alerts or takes automated actions to prevent or mitigate the attack.

Also Read:

• 20 Amazing Online Courses to Become a High-paid Ethical Hacker
• Top Trending Ethical Hacking Tools To Master Right Now

10. What are the key steps involved in incident response?

Incident response is the process of identifying, responding to, and recovering from security incidents. The key steps involved in incident response are:

• Preparation: Establish an incident response plan that outlines roles, responsibilities, and procedures to follow in the event of a security incident. This includes identifying key contacts, defining communication channels, and ensuring the availability of necessary tools and resources.

• Detection and analysis: Monitoring systems and networks to detect potential security incidents. Analysing and investigating the incident to determine its scope, impact, and root causes. Collecting evidence and documenting findings for further analysis.

• Containment and eradication: Taking immediate actions to contain the incident and prevent further damage. This may involve isolating affected systems, blocking network access, or disabling compromised accounts. Eradicating the root cause of the incident by removing malicious software, closing vulnerabilities, or applying necessary patches.

• Recovery: Restoring affected systems or networks to their normal functioning state. This includes reinstalling software, recovering data from backups, and conducting thorough testing to ensure systems are secure and functional.

• Lessons learned and post-incident analysis: Conducting a post-incident analysis to identify weaknesses in existing security controls and processes. Documenting lessons learned and updating incident response plans and security measures accordingly to improve future incident handling.

Mistakes to Avoid While Answering Ethical Hacking Interview Questions

Mistakes to avoid while answering Ethical Hacking interview questions:

1. Lack of clarity: One common mistake is failing to provide clear and concise answers. It is important to communicate your thoughts effectively and avoid rambling or going off-topic. Take a moment to understand the question, organise your response, and deliver it in a structured manner.

2. Overconfidence or arrogance: While confidence is important, coming across as overly confident or arrogant can be detrimental. Remember to strike a balance between confidence and humility. Acknowledge your strengths and experiences without belittling others or dismissing alternative viewpoints.

3. Incomplete or incorrect information: Providing incomplete or inaccurate information can give the impression that you lack knowledge or attention to detail. Make sure you understand the question fully and provide accurate answers based on your expertise. If you are unsure about something, it is better to admit it and offer to research or provide further clarification later.

4. Lack of real-world examples: When discussing your experiences or explaining concepts, try to include relevant real-world examples. Sharing practical scenarios or case studies demonstrates your ability to apply theoretical knowledge in practical situations. It helps interviewers gauge your problem-solving skills and understand how you approach real-life ethical hacking challenges.

5. Neglecting ethical considerations: Ethical hacking is built on a foundation of responsible and legal practices. It is essential to emphasise your commitment to ethical standards, respect for privacy, and compliance with laws and regulations. Avoid glorifying any unethical or illegal activities, and emphasise your dedication to maintaining integrity and confidentiality in your work.

6. Failure to demonstrate continuous learning: The field of ethical hacking is constantly evolving, with new threats and technologies emerging regularly. It is important to showcase your commitment to ongoing learning and professional development. Highlight any relevant certifications, training courses, or participation in industry events to demonstrate your dedication to staying updated with the latest trends and techniques in the field.

7. Lack of communication skills: Effective communication is crucial in ethical hacking roles. Failing to articulate your thoughts clearly or lacking active listening skills can create misunderstandings. Practice effective communication techniques, such as actively listening to the interviewer, asking for clarifications when needed, and providing concise and coherent responses.

By avoiding these common mistakes in ethical hacking questions with answers, you can present yourself as a knowledgeable, professional, and ethical candidate during an Ethical Hacking interview questions and answers. Remember to prepare thoroughly, remain composed, and showcase your passion for cybersecurity and your commitment to ethical hacking practices.

Top Providers Offering Ethical Hacking Certification Courses

Conclusion

Ethical hacking has a growing future as data is becoming more and more important. That is why we need skilled and professional ethical hackers to save our data from cyber attacks. The above ethical hacker interview questions and answers will definitely help you to tackle your job interview. So be confident while answering the questions and prepare well to get your dream job that is ethical hacker.