Steps Performed By hackers

Steps Performed By hackers
1) Reconnaissance
2) Scanning
3) Gaining Access
4) Maintaining Access
5) Clearing Tracks
• Performing Reconnaissance
• Scanning and Enumeration
• Gaining access
• Maintaining access and Placing Backdoors
• Covering tracks or Clearing Logs

Phase I: Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance can be described as the pre-attack phase and is a systematic attempt to locate, gather, identify,
and record information about the target. The Hacker seeks to find out as much information as possible about the
target.

Phase II: Scanning and Enumeration
Scanning and enumeration is considered the second pre-attack phase. This phase involves taking the information
discovered during reconnaissance and using it to examine the network. Scanning involves steps such as intelligent
system port scanning which is used to determine open ports and vulnerable services. In this stage the attacker
can use different automated tools to discover system vulnerabilities.

Phase III: Gaining Access
This is the phase where the real hacking takes place. Vulnerabilities discovered during the reconnaissance and
scanning phase are now exploited to gain access. The method of connection the Hacker uses for an exploit can be
a local area network, local access to a PC, the Internet, or offline. Gaining access is known in the Hacker world as
owning the system. During a real security breach it would be this stage where the Hacker can utilize simple
techniques to cause irreparable damage to the target system.

Phase IV: Maintaining Access and Placing Backdoors
Once a Hacker has gained access, they want to keep that access for future exploitation and attacks. Sometimes,
Hackers harden the system from other Hackers or security personnel by securing their exclusive access with
Backdoors, Root kits, and Trojans.
The attacker can use automated scripts and automated tools for hiding attack evidence and also to create
backdoors for further attack.

Phase V: Clearing Tracks
In this phase, once Hackers have been able to gain and maintain access, they cover their tracks to avoid detection
by security personnel, to continue to use the owned system, to remove evidence of hacking, or to avoid legal
action. At present, many successful security breaches are made but never detected. This includes cases where
firewalls and vigilant log checking were in place.