Advanced Ethical Hacking

The course covers the main techniques used by computer hackers and penetration testers in order to better defend against intrusions and security violations in live systems, including techniques for web applications, exploit techniques, keyloggers and some audit techniques used in digital forensics.

The course content is related to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

4 - Quality education, target 4.4 - Increase the number of people who have relevant skills for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship,

9 - Industry, innovation and infrastructure, target 9.1 - Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, and

16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions, target 16.4 - Reduce illicit financial and arms flows and combat all forms of organized crime.

A. Knowledge:

Students will learn the underlying principles and techniques associated with the cybersecurity practices known as binary exploits, reverse engineering and penetration testing or ethical hacking. They will become familiar with the entire penetration testing process including planning, reconnaissance, scanning, exploitation, post-exploitation and result reporting. Students will also learn how cryptographic techniques are used in practice and what can go wrong if used improperly.

B. Skills:

For every offensive penetration technique the students will learn the corresponding remedial technique. By this, the students will develop a practical understanding of the current cybersecurity issues and the ways how the errors made by users, administrators, or programmers can lead to exploitable insecurities.

Lectures, seminars, invited lectures, student presentations and laboratory exercises.