Top Ethical Hacking Tools to Watch Out For in 2024

1. Invicti
Invicti is a web application security scanner hacking tool to find SQL Injection, XSS, and vulnerabilities in
web applications or services automatically. It is usually available on SAAS solution

Features:

It detects Dead accurate vulnerability with the help of unique Proof-Based Scanning Technology.

It requires minimal configuration with a scalable solution.

It automatically detects URL rewrite rules as well as custom 404 error pages.

There is a REST API for seamless integration with the SDLC and bug tracking systems.

It scans up to 1,000 plus web applications within just 24 hours.

Price: It will cost from $4,500 to $26,600 with Invicti Security features.

2. Fortify WebInspect
Fortify WebInspect is a hacking tool with comprehensive dynamic analysis security in automated mode
for complex web applications and services.

It is used to identify security vulnerabilities by allowing it to test the dynamic behavior of running web
applications.

It can keep the scanning in control by getting relevant information and statistics.

It provides Centralized Program Management, vulnerability trending, compliance management, and risk
oversight with the help of simultaneous crawl professional-level testing to novice security testers.

Price: It will cost around $29,494.00 provided by HP company with Tran security and virus protection.
3. Cain & Abel
Cain & Abel is an Operating System password recovery tool provided by Microsoft.

It is used to recover the MS Access passwords

It can be used in Sniffing networks

The password field can be uncovered.

It Cracks encrypted passwords with the help of dictionary attacks, brute-force, and cryptanalysis attacks.

Price: It is free. One can download it from open source.

4. Nmap (Network Mapper)

Used in port scanning, one of the phases in ethical hacking, is the finest hacking software ever. Primarily
a command-line tool, it was then developed for operating systems based on Linux or Unix, and the
windows version of Nmap is now available.

Nmap is basically a network security mapper capable of discovering services and hosts on a network,
thereby creating a network map. This software offers several features that help in probing computer
networks, host discovery as well as detection of operating systems. Being script extensible it provides
advanced vulnerability detection and can also adapt to network conditions such as congestion and
latency while scanning.

5. Nessus
The next ethical hacking tool on the list is Nessus. Nessus is the world’s most well-known vulnerability
scanner, which was designed by tenable network security. It is free and is chiefly recommended for non-
enterprise usage. This network-vulnerability scanner efficiently finds critical bugs on any given system.

Nessus can detect the following vulnerabilities:

Unpatched services and misconfiguration

Weak passwords – default and common

Various system vulnerabilities

6. Nikto
Nikto is a web scanner that scans and tests several web servers for identifying software that is outdated,
dangerous CGIs or files, and other problems. It is capable of performing server-specific as well as generic
checks and prints by capturing the received cookies. It is a free, open-source tool, which checks version-
specific problems across 270 servers and identifies default programs and files.

Here are some of the chief features of Nikto hacking software:

Open-source tool

Checks web servers and identifies over 6400 CGIs or files that are potentially dangerous

Checks servers for outdated versions as well as version-specific problems

Checks plug-inns and misconfigured files

Identifies insecure programs and files

7. Kismet
This is the best ethical hacking tool used for testing wireless networks and hacking of wireless LAN or
wardriving. It passively identifies networks and collects packets and detects non-beaconing and hidden
networks with the help of data traffic.

Kismet is basically a sniffer and wireless-network detector that works with other wireless cards and
supports raw-monitoring mode.

Basic features of Kismet hacking software include the following:

Runs on Linux OS, which may be Ubuntu, backtrack, or more

Applicable to windows at times

8. NetStumbler
This is also an ethical hacking tool that is used to prevent wardriving, which works on operating systems
based on windows. It is capable of detecting IEEE 902.11g, 802, and 802.11b networks. A newer version
of this called MiniStumbler is now available.

The NetStumbler ethical hacking software has the following uses:

Identifying AP (Access Point) network configuration

Finding causes of interference

Accessing the strength of signals received

Detecting unauthorized access points

9. Acunetix
This ethical hacking tool is fully automated, detecting and reporting on more than 4500 web
vulnerabilities, including every variant of XSS and SQL Injection. Acunetix fully supports JavaScript,
HTML5, and single-page applications so you can audit complex authenticated applications.

Basic features include:

Consolidated view

Integration of scanner results into other platforms and tools

Prioritizing risks based on data

10. Netsparker
If you want a tool that mimics how hackers work, you want Netsparker. This tool identifies vulnerabilities
in web APIs and web applications such as cross-site scripting and SQL Injection.

Features include:

Available as an on-line service or Windows software

Uniquely verifies identified vulnerabilities, showing that they are genuine, not false positives

Saves time by eliminating the need for manual verification

11. Intruder
This tool is a completely automated scanner that searches for cybersecurity weaknesses, explains the
risks found, and helps address them. Intruder takes on much of the heavy lifting in vulnerability
management and offers over 9000 security checks.

Features included:

Identifies missing patches, misconfigurations, and common web app issues like cross-site scripting and
SQL Injection

Integrates with Slack, Jira, and major cloud providers

Prioritizes results based on context

Proactively scans systems for the latest vulnerabilities

Also Read: Introduction to Cyber Security

12. Nmap
Nmap is an open-source security and port scanner, as well as a network exploration tool. It works for
single hosts and large networks alike. Cybersecurity experts can use Nmap for network inventory,
monitoring host and service uptime, and managing service upgrade schedules.
Among its features:

Offer binary packages for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X

Contains a data transfer, redirection, and debugging tool

Results and GUI viewer

13. Metasploit
The Metasploit Framework is open-source, and Metasploit Pro is a commercial offering, with a 14-day
free trial. Metasploit is geared towards penetration testing, and ethical hackers can develop and execute
exploit codes against remote targets.

The features include:

Cross-platform support

Ideal for finding security vulnerabilities

Great for creating evasion and anti-forensic tools

14. Aircrack-Ng
Wireless network use is rising, so it’s becoming more important to keep Wi-Fi secure. Aircrack-Ng offers
ethical hackers an array of command-line tools that check and evaluate Wi-Fi network security. Aircrack-
Ng is dedicated to activities such as attacking, monitoring, testing, and cracking. The tool supports
Windows, OS X, Linux, eComStation, 2Free BSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, and Solaris.

Among its features:

Supports exporting data to text files

It can crack WEP keys and WPA2-PSK, and check Wi-Fi cards

Supports multiple platforms

15. Wireshark
Wireshark is a great hacking software for analyzing data packets and can also perform deep inspections
of a large number of established protocols. You can export analysis results to many different file formats
like CSV, PostScript, Plaintext, and XML.

Features:

Performs live captures and offline analysis

Cross-platform support

Allows coloring rules to packet lists to facilitate analysis

It’s free

16. OpenVAS
The Open Vulnerability Assessment Scanner is a fully featured tool performs authenticated and
unauthenticated testing and performance tuning. It is geared towards large-scale scans.

OpenVAS has the capabilities of various high and low-level Internet and industrial protocols, backed up
by a robust internal programming language.

17. SQLMap
SQLMap is an open-source hacking software that automates detecting and exploiting SQL Injection flaws
and taking control of database servers. You can use it to connect directly with specific databases.
SQLMap completely supports a half-dozen SQL injection techniques (Boolean-based blind, error-based,
stacked queries, time-based blind, UNION query-based, and out-of-band).

SQLMap’s features include:

Powerful detection engine

Supports executing arbitrary commands

Supports MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, and more.

Also Read: Why Businesses Need Ethical Hackers?

18. Ettercap
Ettercap is a free tool that is best suited for creating custom plug-ins.

Among its features:

Content filtering

Live connections sniffer

Network and host analysis

Active and passive dissection of a lot of protocols

19. Maltego
Maltego is a tool dedicated to link analysis and data mining. It comes in four forms: The free Community
version, Maltego CE; Maltego Classic, which costs $999; Maltego XL, costing $1999, and the server
products like Comms, CTAS, and ITDS, starting at $40000. Maltego is best suited to working with very
large graphs.

Its features include:

Support for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS

Performs real-time information gathering and data mining

Displays results in easy-to-read graphics

20. Burp Suite

This security-testing tool comes in three price tiers: Community edition (free), Professional edition
(starting at $399 per user/per year), and Enterprise edition (starting at $3999/year). Burp Suite
distinguishes itself as a web vulnerability scanner.

Its features include:

Scan scheduling and repeating

Uses out-of-band techniques

Offers CI integration

21. John the Ripper

This free tool is ideal for password cracking. It was created to detect weak UNIX passwords, and can be
used on DOS, Windows, and Open VMS.

Features:

Offers a customizable cracker and several different password crackers in one bundle

Performs dictionary attacks

Tests different encrypted passwords

22. Angry IP Scanner

This is a free tool for scanning IP addresses and ports, though it’s unclear what it’s so angry about. You
can use this scanner on the Internet or your local network, and supports Windows, MacOS, and Linux.

Noted features:

Can export results in different formats

Command-line interface tool

Extensible with lots of data fetchers

23. SolarWinds Security Event Manager

SolarWinds emphasizes computer security improvement, automatically detecting threats and monitoring
security policies. You can easily keep track of your log files and get instant alerts should anything
suspicious happen.

Features include:

Built-in integrity monitoring

Intuitive dashboard and user interface

Recognized as one of the best SIEM tools, helping you easily manage memory stick storage

24. Traceroute NG
Traceroute focuses on network path analysis. It can identify host names, packet loss, and IP addresses,
providing accurate analysis via command line interface.

Features include:

Supports IP4 and IPV6

Detects paths changes and alerts you about them

Permits continuous network probing

25. LiveAction
This is one of the best ethical hacking tools available today. Used in conjunction with LiveAction packet
intelligence, it can diagnose network issues more effectively and faster.

Among its top features:

Easy to use workflow

Automates network’s automated data capture is fast enough to allow rapid response to security alerts

Its packet intelligence provides deep analyses

Onsite deployment for use in appliances

26. QualysGuard
If you want a hacker security tool that checks vulnerabilities in online cloud systems, look no further.
QualysGuard lets businesses streamline their compliance and security solutions, incorporating security
into digital transformation initiatives.

Top features:

Globally trusted online hacking tool

Scalable, end-to-end solution for all manner of IT security

Real-time data analysis

Responds to real-time threats

27. WebInspect
WebInspect is an automated dynamic testing tool that’s well-suited for ethical hacking operations. It
offers hackers a dynamic comprehensive analysis of complex web applications and services.

Its features include:

Lets users stay in control of scans through relevant statistics and information at a glance

Contains a variety of technologies suited for and level of tester, from novice to professional

Tests dynamic behavior of web applications for the purpose of spotting security vulnerabilities

28. Hashcat
Password cracking is a big part of ethical hacking, and Hashcat is a robust cracking tool. It can help
ethical hackers audit password security, retrieve lost passwords, and discover the data stored in a hash.

Notable features include:

Open source

Multiple platform support

Supports distributed cracking networks

Supports automatic performance tuning

29. L0phtCrack
This is a password recovery and audit tool that can identify and assess password vulnerabilities over local
networks and machines.

Features:

Easily customizable

Fixes weak passwords issues by forcing a password reset or locking out accounts

Optimizes hardware courtesy of multicore and multi-GPU support

30. Rainbow Crack

Here’s another entry in the password-cracking category. It employs rainbow tables to crack hashes,
employing a time-memory tradeoff algorithm to accomplish it.

Its features include:

Runs on Windows and Linux

Command-line and graphic user interfaces

Unified rainbow table file format

31. IKECrack
IKECrack is an authentication cracking tool with the bonus of being open source. This tool is designed to
conduct dictionary or brute-force attacks. IKECrack enjoys a solid reputation for successfully running
cryptography tasks.

Its features include:

Strong emphasis on cryptography

Ideally suited for either commercial or personal use

Free

32. Sboxr
SBoxr is another open source hacking tool that emphasizes vulnerability testing. It has a favorable
reputation as a customizable tool that lets hackers create their own custom security scanners.

Its main features include:

Easy to use and GUI-based

Supports Ruby and Python

Uses an effective, powerful scanning engine

Generates reports in RTF and HTML formats

Checks for over two dozen types of web vulnerabilities

33. Medusa
Medusa is one of the best online speedy, brute-force parallel password crackers tools out there for
ethical hackers.
Features:

Includes flexible user input which can be specified in many ways

Supports many services that allow remote authentication

One of the best tools for thread-based parallel testing and brute-force testing

34. Cain and Abel

Cain and Abel is a tool used to recover passwords for the Microsoft Operating System. It uncovers
password fields, sniffs networks, recovers MS Access passwords, and cracks encrypted passwords using
brute-force, dictionary, and cryptanalysis attacks.

35. Zenmap
This open source application is the official Nmap Security Scanner software, and is multi-platform.
Zenmap is ideal for any level of experience, from newbies to experienced hackers.

Among its features:

Administrators can track new hosts or services that appear on their networks and track existing downed
services

Graphical and interactive results viewing

Can draw topology maps of discovered networks

How Do You Use A Hacking Software?

Here’s how to get started using any hacking software, either from the above list or wherever else on the
Internet you find it:

Download and install the desired hacking software you like

Launch the software once it’s installed

Chose and set the startup options for your hacking tool

Explore the tool’s interface and functionalities; get familiar with it

Test the software with a preconfigured external browser

Use the hacking software to scan a website or perform penetration testing

Is Using Hacking Tools Legal?

You can use hacking tools if you fulfill both of the following conditions:

You are using the tools for white hat hacking

You have secured written permission from the target site that you plan to “attack.”