If you want to make money ethically through hacking, this article is for you. We'll discuss ways to do so without exploiting companies or government agencies.

Ethical hacking, aka "white hat" hacking, involves using technical skills to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in computer systems, networks, and applications with the owner's permission. The goal is to help improve the security of these systems by providing valuable insights and recommendations to mitigate potential risks. Ethical hackers are essential for preventing cyber attacks and protecting individuals, businesses, and governments by identifying vulnerabilities before malicious hackers can exploit them.

By engaging in ethical hacking, people can offer their expertise and services to organisations legitimately and responsibly, making a positive impact and earning a living.

Ways to make money hacking

There are several ways for an ethical hacker to make money. Here are some of the most common:

1. Bug bounty programs

One of the most common ways to make money hacking is by joining a bug bounty program. Many companies and organisations offer bug bounty programs, which are rewards for finding and reporting security vulnerabilities. Some popular bug bounty programs include HackerOne, Bugcrowd, and Synopsys.

How bug bounty programs work:

• Find a bug: The first step is to find a bug in a company's or organisation's software or website. This can be done through various methods, such as fuzz testing, code analysis, and social engineering.
  
  
• Report the bug: Once you have found it, you must report it to the company or organisation responsibly. Most bug bounty programs have a specific process for reporting vulnerabilities.
  
  
• Get paid: The company or organisation will pay you a bounty if your bug report is valid. The amount of the bounty will depend on the severity of the bug.

Tips for success in bug bounty programs:

• Do your research: Before you start hunting for bugs, it is important to research the company or organisation you're targeting. This will help you understand their systems and networks, making it more likely that you will find valid bugs.
  
  
• Be patient: It can take time to find valid bugs. Don't get discouraged if you don't find any bugs right away. Just keep practising and learning, and you will eventually find success.
  
  
• Follow the rules: Make sure you follow the rules of the bug bounty program. This includes reporting all bugs you find, even if you think they are minor.
  
  
• Be professional: When you report a bug, be professional and courteous. This will make you a more valuable asset to the bug bounty program and increase your chances of getting paid.

2. Red teaming 

Red teaming is a specialised form of ethical hacking that simulates real-world cyberattacks in a controlled environment. This is done to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in a company's security posture. Red teams typically consist of a group of highly skilled ethical hackers who are experts in a variety of cybersecurity techniques.

How red teaming works:

• Scope and planning: Before a red team engagement begins, the scope of the engagement is defined. This involves defining the scope of the company or organisation to be tested and outlining the types of simulated attacks.
  
  
• Reconnaissance and footprinting: The red team will gather information about the company or organisation. This may include information about its network infrastructure, employees, and security policies.
  
  
• Attack simulation: Once the red team understands the company, it will simulate attacks. This may include attacks on the company's network, applications, or physical security.
  
  
• Reporting and remediation: After the red team engagement, it will provide a report to the company. This report will detail the vulnerabilities found and recommendations for remediation.

Benefits of red teaming:

• Identify and exploit vulnerabilities: Red teaming can help to identify and exploit vulnerabilities that may not be found through traditional vulnerability scanning or penetration testing.
  
  
• Test the effectiveness of security controls: Red teaming can help to test the effectiveness of a company's or organisation's security controls. This can help identify areas where the controls are inadequate or can be improved.
  
  
• Improve incident response: Red teaming can help to improve a company's or organisation's incident response capabilities. This is because red teams often use the same techniques as real attackers, so they can help to prepare the company or organisation for a real attack.

Red teaming vs. penetration testing:

Red teaming and penetration testing are both forms of ethical hacking, but there are some key differences between the two. Penetration testing typically focuses on identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities, while red teaming focuses on simulating real-world cyberattacks. Red teams also tend to be more creative and innovative than penetration testers, as they always try new ways to attack systems and networks.

3. Penetration testing

Penetration testers utilise the same tools and techniques as malicious hackers to identify and exploit system security weaknesses. The information gathered during the testing can then be utilised to address the vulnerabilities and enhance the system's overall security.

Penetration testing is an integral part of any organisation's cybersecurity program. Organisations can reduce their risk of data breaches and other cyberattacks by identifying and fixing vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.

There are primarily two types of penetration testing: black box and white box.

Black box testing is performed without any knowledge of the system's internals. The tester is only given the system's IP address or URL, and they must use their skills and tools to find and exploit vulnerabilities.

White box testing is performed with full knowledge of the system's internals. The tester is given access to the system's source code, network diagrams, and other documentation. This allows the tester to perform a more comprehensive test and identify more subtle vulnerabilities.

The goals of penetration testing are to:

• Identify and exploit vulnerabilities in a system's security
• Assess the effectiveness of a system's security controls
• Provide recommendations for fixing vulnerabilities and improving security

The benefits of penetration testing are many:

• Reduced risk of data breaches
• Improved security posture

4. Security consulting

Security consultants can help organisations identify and assess security risks, develop and implement security policies and procedures, and select and deploy security technologies.

Security consulting is a valuable service for companies of all sizes, as it can help them to:

• Protect their data and assets: Security consultants can help organisations identify and mitigate threats to their data and assets, such as data breaches, malware infections, and ransomware attacks.
  
  
• Comply with regulations: Security consultants can assist in complying with relevant data privacy and security regulations, such as GDPR and HIPAA.
  
  
• Recover from cyberattacks: Security consultants can help organisations develop and implement plans for recovering from cyberattacks, minimising the damage and downtime caused by an attack.

The following are some of the typical services provided by security consultants:

• Risk assessment: Security consultants can perform risk assessments to identify and evaluate an organisation's potential security risks.
  
  
• Vulnerability scanning and penetration testing:  Security consultants can use vulnerability scanners and testing tools to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in an organisation's systems and networks.
  
  
• Security policy development and implementation: Security consultants can help organisations develop and implement security policies that align with their business needs and risk tolerance.
  
  
• Security awareness training: Security consultants can provide cybersecurity awareness training to educate employees about the importance of protecting themselves from cyberattacks.
  
  
• Incident response: Security consultants can help organisations develop and implement incident response plans and provide assistance during and after a cyberattack.

5. Teaching and training

If you're advanced in your field, you may want to turn to teaching and training to make money hacking. Sharing your knowledge and skills can improve the security of individuals and organisations.

There are many different ways to teach and train cybersecurity professionals, including:

• Developing and delivering training courses: You can design and deliver cybersecurity training courses on various topics, such as penetration testing, ethical hacking and incident response.
  
  
• Creating and publishing cybersecurity content: You can create and publish cybersecurity content, such as blog posts, articles, whitepapers, or YouTube videos.
  
  
• Instructing cybersecurity workshops and seminars: You can instruct cybersecurity workshops and seminars to provide hands-on training to professionals.
  
  
• Mentoring and coaching cybersecurity professionals: You can coach cybersecurity professionals to help them develop their skills and knowledge.
  
  
• Developing cybersecurity training materials: You can develop cybersecurity training materials, such as courseware, presentations, and lab exercises.

Tips on becoming an ethical hacker

Get certified
‍There are certifications available for ethical hackers, such as the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and the Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP). Although you don't need formal qualifications to make money as a hacker, these certifications can help you stand out and command higher salaries.

Build a portfolio
‍Keep a record of your accomplishments, such as vulnerabilities you have found, bug bounties you have earned, and security projects you have worked on. This portfolio will be helpful when you are applying for jobs or contracts, especially if you don’t have any qualifications. 

Network with other hackers
‍Networking with other hackers can be beneficial for discovering new opportunities and breaking into the industry. Attend cybersecurity conferences and meetups and join online forums and communities.

Stay up-to-date
‍Cybersecurity is constantly changing and evolving, so staying current on the latest threats and vulnerabilities is important. Read industry publications, follow security blogs, and attend webinars and training sessions.

Summary

Making money as an ethical hacker can be a rewarding and challenging career. It requires a strong technical background, a deep understanding of cybersecurity, and the ability to think like an attacker. However, with the right skills and experience, ethical hackers can make a good living and positively impact the world.