Hackers usually use social engineering to gain most of their knowledge. Social Engineering is the act of getting someone to tell you about sensitive information through trust. This unadulterated trust becomes a weakness for most companies.

Brute Force, Exploit and dictionary attacks are usually started through the use of software on the hacker’s computer. To avoid detection, the hacker’s may use proxies or zombie machines so that their location cannot be determined. This is just a small list of the different attacks hackers can use.

Hacking process consists of a fixed approach or methodology. Hacking refers to the act of penetrating or gaining unauthorized access to computer systems for creating or modifying computer software and hardware, including computer programming, administration, and security-related items. A Hacker is a person who breaks into computers, usually by gaining access of administrative level. Hackers use various methods to accomplish the task. These methods are sequentially followed by a malicious hacker to accomplish his objective. These methods are widely divided in the following six phases:

1. Reconnaissance
2. Scanning
3. Gaining access
4. Escalation of privilege
5. Maintaining access
6. Covering tracks