The Importance of Network Knowledge for Hackers

Intro

Hacker is going to work with different cases. Most of those cases will include some kind of a network.

I think that it is really important to understand what makes the network and how’s its made. To exploit, we need to understand where to put that exploit and where it will take the action.

In this article I won’t go into details, but I’ll create a wider picture on what would a hacker need to know about networks.

Protocols

There are many protocols that are used in the internet. One of the most important protocol to understand is TCP and IP. Most of the time they both are used together. TCP stands for transmission control protocol. IP stands for Internet Protocol. These are the crucial protocols to understand.

Other popular protocols are SSH (Secure Shell), HTTP(Hyper text transfer protocol), Telnet, DNS (Domain name system) and many others…

Protocols are really important to understand. Each of those protocols have port numbers. Kind of where IP address is a house number and port is an apartment number.

Packets

It’s crucial to understand what is a packet in networking context. How does it work. In this part of network we can do MiTM attacks (Man in the middle). In simple term it’s when a hacker stands between a client and a server. Hacker sees all of the traffic and can even control it a little.

IP address and Subnet

It’s a very useful part when you’re doing a network analysis. I’m planning to write an article about network analysis and its tools.

Firewalls

You’ve probably heard a term Firewall. It’s a very important part for every hacker. At least to understand basic concepts.

Wi-Fi Networks

Nowadays Wi-Fi networks are everywhere. It is really useful to understand how does it work. By understanding how Wi-Fi operates, hackers can uncover and exploit potential vulnerabilities effectively.

Bluetooth Networks

Bluetooth technology is now very common, found in everything from vacuum cleaners to refrigerators and vehicles. For an offensive hacker, mastering this technology is essential, as it opens up opportunities to exploit vulnerabilities and test the security of these everyday devices.

IoT

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of interconnected devices that communicate and share data, transforming homes into smart environments. For hackers, understanding IoT is crucial, as it allows them to identify vulnerabilities and secure these intelligent systems, ensuring they function safely and efficiently.

Outro

There are many other aspects of networks that a hacker needs to understand to be effective. It's also important to keep up with technology news, as technologies change every day. Future articles for a month or so will focus mainly on network topics.