What Computer Language Do Hackers Use?
In today’s world, professional hacking has become one of the best career options for information technology experts. According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary of an Ethical Hacker in the US is $119,289.
No doubt, there are tons of benefits attached to becoming a certified ethical hacker. However, you need to understand that this profession isn’t for the faint of heart. I’m saying this because the job requires several different skills -an example is programming.
To build a career and become successful as an ethical hacker, you need a strong knowledge of coding. Of course, this requires you to learn and master different computer languages, such as Python, SQL, PHP, C++, JavaScript, Java, Ruby, and a few others.
Programming skills are the most essential skill that every professional hacker and security expert needs to acquire. That’s so because it’ll allow them to understand the working behavior of viruses and other malware, as well as the ability to address the issues. In the rest of this post, you’ll find out the most important programming languages that you need to learn to build a career as a successful hacker.
What Is Computer Programming and Why Is It Important For Hackers?
Computer programming is the process employed by experts to write code. The primary purpose of that is to be able to instruct a computer or application on how well to perform.
As we all know, computers are very good at performing several amazing things. For instance, they are capable of making transactions easy for online shoppers. Apart from that, they also help to control many infrastructures, making life easier for humans. However, you need to understand that all the functions performed by computers wouldn’t have been possible if not for the power of computer programming.
As an ethical hacker, the importance of computer programming can’t be overemphasized. It’ll also help you in identifying vulnerabilities in computer systems.
Furthermore, you need a strong knowledge of computer programming so you can understand how viruses behave. That’s not all; programming skills will also enable you to write codes, capable of addressing various security threats.
As a hacker, two of the most important areas you’ll be focusing on are application security and network application security, – both of them require you to understand how to code.
Top 5 Programming Languages For Hackers
- Python
Occupying the first spot on the list of computer languages needed to become a successful ethical hacker is Python. It is highly rated among industry experts because it’s a general-purpose computer language used in various development areas.
According to a study by Imperva, it was discovered that approximately 77 percent of sites were attacked by hackers using Python-based tools. The research further added that Python-based tools over a third of the majority of daily attacks. That said, it’s safe to say that Python programming is one of the essential computer languages needed for you to become successful as an ethical hacker.
One of the benefits of Python is that it has a great interpretation feature. This offering makes it easy to run its code without necessarily having to depend on any compilation. Furthermore, Python is pretty much easy to understand; this is another great reason why beginner hackers need to learn it.
- SQL
Up next on the list of best computer languages for hackers is SQL or Structured Query Language. The programming language occupies this spot because of its amazing features and benefits. The primary function of SQL is that it allows Black hat hackers to use SQL injection to bypass weak web app login algorithms.
SQL makes it pretty much easy to query and fetch information from any database. The advantage of this offering is that it enables hackers to break into corporate databases easily to perform their jobs. Furthermore, with a strong knowledge of SQL, you can always run unauthorized queries to acquire unhashed passwords from corporate databases.
- JavaScript
Like the rest of the computer languages on this list, a strong knowledge of JavaScript is also very important for ethical hackers. That’s so because the programming language offers several different benefits for hackers.
In case you don’t know, JavaScript plays an important role in cross-site scripting (XSS), a type of attack that encourages the injection of client-side scripts into web pages. Furthermore, JavaScript makes it easy for attackers to hack and modify the browser DOM to create internet worms.
Another importance of JavaScript for attackers is that it makes it pretty straightforward for them to create adware hacking programs.
- PHP
PHP is a recursive acronym for PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor. It is one of the leading computer languages for controlling the backend operations of most applications.
Popular content management systems, such as WordPress and Drupal are written in PHP. What this means for you, as a hacker, is that it’ll allow you to understand how websites built upon these CMS platforms behave. That’s not all; it’ll also allow you to identify vulnerabilities in the websites – a great way to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data.
- Java
Up next on this list is Java, the fifth most widely used programming language in the information technology space, according to a recent study by UC Berkeley Extension. It powers most legacy web servers as well as modern mobile programs.
Most professional hackers choose to learn Java because of their interest to identify vulnerabilities in mobile devices. The language will make it easy for you to develop hacking programs for the Android operating systems and other mobile device OS. Furthermore, you can also take advantage of solid knowledge of Java to perform several other malicious activities, such as identity theft.
Others
Apart from the above-listed programming languages, other languages needed by hackers include the following:
- C Programming
- Ruby
- Perl
- HTML
- Bash
- C++ Programming
- LISP
- Assembly
