Ethical Hacking Interview Questions are more important than ever, with companies working hard to protect their digital systems. They’re looking for skilled ethical hackers who can find and fix weak spots before real hackers take advantage of them. This guide from CyberSecTrainings brings you the top 50 ethical hacking interview questions and answers to help you feel prepared and confident for your next interview. From basic ideas to advanced tools and tricks, these questions cover everything you need to grow.
Cybersecurity is growing fast, and understanding common interview questions on ethical hacking can be a benefit. These hacker questions and answers are great for beginners just starting out, and also for pros who want a quick refresher. You’ll learn how real threats are handled, how tools are used, and what experts do to stay ahead. These 50 questions will help you walk into your next ethical hacking interview in 2025 feeling ready.
Top Ethical Hacking Interview Questions to Boost Your Cybersecurity Career
1. What is Ethical Hacking?
Ethical hacking means testing computer systems and networks to find security weaknesses. It helps protect against real cyberattacks. Ethical hackers use legal methods to improve system security, fix flaws, and keep sensitive data safe from criminals.
2. What is the Difference between Ethical Hacking and Malicious Hacking?
Ethical hacking is done with permission to find and fix security issues. It protects businesses from data loss. Malicious hacking breaks into systems without consent to steal or damage data, often harming both companies and users.
3. List down the 5 stages of Ethical Hacking.
These are the 5 stages of ethical hacking:
- Planning and Reconnaissance
- Scanning
- Gaining Access
- Maintaining Access
- Analysis and WAF Configuration
These steps help ethical hackers find vulnerabilities, exploit them safely, and suggest fixes.
4. What is Honeypot and Network Sniffing?
A honeypot is a fake system set up to attract hackers and study their behavior. Network sniffing means capturing and analyzing data traveling over a network. Both help improve security and detect threats.
5. How will you Avoid ARP Poisoning?
To prevent ARP poisoning, use packet filters, limit trust-based protocols, and install ARP-spoofing detection tools. These steps block false ARP messages and reduce the risk of attackers intercepting network traffic.
6. What Can an Ethical Hacker Do?
An ethical hacker can test networks and systems to find gaps in security. They use their skills to prevent attacks, protect sensitive data, and keep systems running safely. Their work helps reduce risks in real-world environments.
7. Why is Python used for hacking?
Python is popular among hackers because it’s easy to learn and has powerful libraries for networking, automation, and data handling. It helps create custom scripts and tools quickly for security testing and ethical hacking.
8. What is Pharming and Defacement?
Pharming tricks users into visiting fake websites by altering DNS settings. Defacement is when hackers change a website’s appearance to display messages or images. Both are used to damage reputations or steal user information.
9. How do you Perform a Risk Assessment?
Risk assessment means finding and analyzing possible threats to a system. It involves checking the impact of those risks, preparing responses, and planning steps to reduce future damage. It helps protect data and maintain business operations.
10. What is the Exploit Kit?
An exploit kit is a tool used to find and attack software weaknesses. Hackers use it to spread malware through web browsers or plugins. It runs silently and can install harmful programs without users knowing.
11. What is the Role of an Ethical Hacker in Securing Different IoT Devices?
Ethical hackers test IoT devices for security flaws. They run checks, detect weak spots, and suggest ways to fix them. Their work keeps smart devices like cameras, speakers, and sensors safe from online threats.
12. What is a Backdoor in Cybersecurity?
A backdoor is a hidden way to access a system without going through normal login steps. Hackers use backdoors to sneak into systems again later. Ethical hackers look for and close these gaps to stop attacks.
Also Read: What is Footprinting in Ethical Hacking? Which Tool is Best for You?
13. What is Footprinting in Ethical Hacking? What are the Techniques Used for Footprinting?
Footprinting means gathering information about a target system before attacking. Techniques include open-source search, network scanning, IP discovery, and fingerprinting. This helps ethical hackers understand the system’s layout and find possible weak points.
14. What is Data Leakage? How will you Find and Prevent it?
Data leakage happens when sensitive information leaves the organization without permission. It can happen through emails, USB drives, or cloud uploads. To prevent it, use encryption, limit access, block uploads, and monitor internal systems closely.
15. What are the Ethical Hacking Tools?
Popular tools include NMAP for scanning networks, Metasploit for testing exploits, Burp Suite for web app testing, Angry IP Scanner for port checks, Cain & Abel for password recovery, and Ettercap for network attacks.
16. What is MAC Flooding?
MAC flooding sends a large number of fake MAC addresses to a network switch, overloading it. This causes the switch to act like a hub and send data to all ports, allowing attackers to capture sensitive info.
17. What is the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Cybersecurity?
AI helps cybersecurity teams find and respond to threats faster. It scans large amounts of data, spots unusual activity, and automates tasks like threat detection. This makes it easier to stay ahead of cybercriminals.
18. What is Defense in Depth?
Defense in depth uses multiple layers of security to protect systems. It includes firewalls, encryption, access control, and monitoring tools. This makes it harder for attackers to break through and steal information.
19. How can you Prevent Your Website from Getting Hacked?
Use firewalls, encrypt cookies, validate user input, and sanitize headers to stop common attacks. These steps reduce risks like cross-site scripting, session hijacking, and unauthorized access to your website or user data.
20. Differentiate between a MAC and an IP address.
A MAC address is a unique hardware ID for a device, used within local networks. An IP address is a logical address that helps devices find each other online. Both are needed for network communication.
21. What is a Network Sniffer?
A network sniffer captures and analyzes data packets flowing across a network. It helps detect issues like slow traffic or suspicious activity. While it can be used for hacking, ethical hackers use it to study and fix network problems.
22. How Can You Avoid ARP Poisoning?
To prevent ARP poisoning, use static ARP tables, enable switch security, separate critical networks, protect physical access, and apply encryption. These steps block attackers from sending fake ARP messages to trick devices into sending data to the wrong place.
23. What are the Phases of Hacking a System?
The phases include reconnaissance, scanning, gaining access, maintaining access, and clearing tracks. Each step helps attackers move closer to their target, while ethical hackers use these same steps to test and improve defenses.
24. What are the Different Ethical Hacking Tools?
Popular tools include Nmap, Nessus, Nikto, Kismet, NetStumbler, Acunetix, Netsparker, and Intruder. Each tool serves a different purpose, like scanning ports, finding weaknesses, or checking web application security.
Also Read: Top 100 Must Have Ethical Hacking Tools for Cybersecurity in 2025
25. Why is Python utilized for hacking?
Python is easy to use and comes with many libraries for security tasks. Ethical hackers use it for writing scripts, scanning networks, automating tests, and building hacking tools. Its simplicity and power make it a top choice.
26. What are Pharming and Defacement?
Pharming redirects users to fake websites to steal data. Defacement is when hackers replace a website’s content with their own messages or images. Both damage trust and can lead to major security issues.
27. What are the types of buffer overflows and how are they detected?
Buffer overflow types include stack-based, heap-based, and format string attacks. Detection involves monitoring memory use, using secure coding practices, and applying security tools that catch abnormal behavior in software.
28. What is Burp Suite?
Burp Suite is a toolkit used to test the security of web applications. It includes features like a proxy, scanner, and intruder to find flaws. Ethical hackers use it to test login forms, URLs, and server responses.
29. Define the Term Script Kiddies.
Script kiddies are inexperienced hackers who use ready-made tools to launch attacks. They often don’t understand how the tools work. Their main goal is to gain attention, not to perform professional or targeted hacking.
30. Explain the Function of a Directory Traversal Attack.
A directory traversal attack allows access to files outside the web root folder. Attackers use symbols like FILE_ATTRIBUTE_NORMAL or FILE_ATTRIBUTE_HIDDEN to move up folders and read sensitive files, such as passwords or system configurations, that should be hidden.
31. Explain Web Server Hardening Methods.
Web server hardening means securing servers through steps like using strong SSL settings, limiting access to directories, updating configurations, and removing unnecessary features. This protects the server from known and unknown security threats.
32. What is NTFS File Streaming?
NTFS file streaming allows files to hold extra hidden data alongside the main content. Hackers sometimes use this feature to hide malicious code. Ethical hackers check for hidden streams during investigations.
33. What is HMAC (Hashed Message Authentication Code)?
HMAC adds a layer of security to messages using a cryptographic key. It ensures that the message is real and hasn’t been changed. It’s commonly used with protocols like SSL and TLS for safe data transfer.
34. How do Sniffers Work in Ethical Hacking?
Sniffers track the data packets that move through a network. Ethical hackers use sniffers to inspect traffic, spot vulnerabilities, and test systems without alerting users. This helps in identifying weak points and improving network security.
35. How would you Prevent Session Hijacking?
Prevent session hijacking using security headers like CSP and XSS protection. Always mark session cookies as HTTP-only, use encryption (HTTPS), and reset session cookies after logout. Anti-CSRF tokens on sensitive actions also help protect user sessions from attackers.
36. Explain the Principle of Wireless Sniffers to Locate SSIDs.
Wireless sniffers capture wireless data packets in the air. These tools identify available SSIDs, connected devices, and MAC addresses in a wireless network. Ethical hackers use them to test network security and find hidden wireless vulnerabilities.
Also Read: How to Become Ethical Hacker after Doing cPent Certification in 2025
37. What to do after a security breach occurs?
Notify customers quickly and share only the necessary facts. Guide them on safety steps, verify the source of the breach, and change all admin passwords. Secure internal networks and monitor systems for further suspicious activity.
38. What is the Main Purpose of Penetration Testing?
Penetration testing helps discover system flaws and security risks before real hackers can exploit them. It shows how attackers might break in and helps organizations fix weak points to protect data and prevent unauthorized access.
39. What is Evil Twin or AP Masquerading?
An Evil Twin is a fake Wi-Fi access point that looks like a real one. Hackers use it to trick users into connecting. Once connected, the attacker can steal data, spy on traffic, or launch deeper attacks.
40. What is coWPAtty in ethical hacking?
coWPAtty is a tool used to crack WPA-PSK (Wi-Fi Protected Access Pre-Shared Key) passwords. It performs a dictionary attack on wireless networks using a pre-computed list of possible passwords to break into Wi-Fi connections.
41. What are GREY areas in the company?
Grey areas are parts of business operations that may not follow clear rules but still involve risk. These areas can expose the company to security, legal, or ethical issues. Identifying and managing these helps prevent future problems.
42. What is cross-site scripting and its types?
Cross-site scripting (XSS) injects harmful scripts into trusted websites. The three main types are:
- Reflected XSS: Script reflects off a web response.
- Stored XSS: Script gets saved in a database.
- DOM-based XSS: Happens when user input is not handled safely in the browser.
43. What is CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery)?
CSRF tricks users into making unwanted actions on websites they’re logged into. Attackers create fake requests that seem real. This can lead to changes in user settings or data leaks. Anti-CSRF tokens help prevent such attacks.
44. What are NetBIOS DoS attacks?
NetBIOS DoS attacks overload a system with fake network requests using the NetBIOS protocol. This can slow or crash company systems, causing major disruptions in file sharing, communication, and services that rely on the network.
45. What are the components of physical security in ethical hacking?
Physical security includes access control systems, surveillance, locks, alarms, and restricted zones. It protects equipment and data from theft, tampering, or damage. Encryption and secure login systems also protect digital information on physical hardware.
46. Explain the term Google Hacking Database.
Google Hacking Database is a list of search queries used to find sensitive information online. These queries can expose hidden pages, login portals, and files not meant for public access. Ethical hackers use it to find risks before attackers do.
47. What are the steps involved in performing enumeration?
Enumeration gathers details about network resources, usernames, shares, and services. It involves identifying active devices, open ports, and system banners. This step helps in mapping the target system before attempting deeper testing.
48. What are countermeasure techniques in preventing Trojan horses?
Avoid unknown downloads, use updated software, install licensed tools only, and never open suspicious attachments. Always use antivirus software to detect threats early and create a safe environment for users and systems.
Read More: Job Opportunities after Penetration Testing Certification in 2025
49. Define the Target of Evaluation (TOE).
The TOE is the system or product being tested in an ethical hacking assessment. It sets the boundaries of the test, helps define goals, and gives hackers a clear focus for finding weaknesses and fixing them.
50. How to cover your tracks and erase evidence on any kind of system during the hacking process?
Covering tracks involves deleting logs, removing hacking tools like sniffers or keyloggers, and erasing copied data. Hackers may disable security systems and use VPNs or proxy servers to hide their IP address, making it harder to trace their actions.
Conclusion
Landing a role in cybersecurity starts with understanding real-world threats and how to handle them. Going through ethical hacking interview questions and answers helps build the confidence to face technical rounds with ease. From basic ethical hacking interview questions to certified ethical hacker interview questions, this list gives you a solid head start. These hacker questions and answers are helpful for both freshers and professionals aiming for growth in this field. CyberSecTrainings also offers detailed training programs to help you sharpen your skills and crack interviews. Stay focused, stay updated, and keep practicing to become a successful ethical hacker.
