Ethical Hacking Methodology
Ethical Hacking Methodology is an code AI skill with a core value of This skill should be used when the user asks to \"learn ethical hacking\", \"understand penetration testing lifecycle\", \"perform reconnaissance\", \"conduct security scanning\", \"exploit . It
helps developers solve real-world problems in the code domain, boosting
efficiency, automating repetitive tasks, and optimizing workflows.
This skill should be used when the user asks to \"learn ethical hacking\", \"understand penetration testing lifecycle\", \"perform reconnaissance\", \"conduct security scanning\", \"exploit ...
Quick Facts
mkdir -p ./skills/ethical-hacking-methodology && curl -sfL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sickn33/antigravity-awesome-skills/main/skills/ethical-hacking-methodology/SKILL.md -o ./skills/ethical-hacking-methodology/SKILL.mdRun in terminal / PowerShell. Requires curl (Unix) or PowerShell 5+ (Windows).
Skill Content
# Ethical Hacking Methodology
Purpose
Master the complete penetration testing lifecycle from reconnaissance through reporting. This skill covers the five stages of ethical hacking methodology, essential tools, attack techniques, and professional reporting for authorized security assessments.
Prerequisites
Required Environment
- Kali Linux installed (persistent or live)
- Network access to authorized targets
- Written authorization from system owner
Required Knowledge
- Basic networking concepts
- Linux command-line proficiency
- Understanding of web technologies
- Familiarity with security concepts
Outputs and Deliverables
1. **Reconnaissance Report** - Target information gathered
2. **Vulnerability Assessment** - Identified weaknesses
3. **Exploitation Evidence** - Proof of concept attacks
4. **Final Report** - Executive and technical findings
Core Workflow
Phase 1: Understanding Hacker Types
Classification of security professionals:
**White Hat Hackers (Ethical Hackers)**
- Authorized security professionals
- Conduct penetration testing with permission
- Goal: Identify and fix vulnerabilities
- Also known as: penetration testers, security consultants
**Black Hat Hackers (Malicious)**
- Unauthorized system intrusions
- Motivated by profit, revenge, or notoriety
- Goal: Steal data, cause damage
- Also known as: crackers, criminal hackers
**Grey Hat Hackers (Hybrid)**
- May cross ethical boundaries
- Not malicious but may break rules
- Often disclose vulnerabilities publicly
- Mixed motivations
**Other Classifications**
- **Script Kiddies**: Use pre-made tools without understanding
- **Hacktivists**: Politically or socially motivated
- **Nation State**: Government-sponsored operatives
- **Coders**: Develop tools and exploits
Phase 2: Reconnaissance
Gather information without direct system interaction:
**Passive Reconnaissance**
# WHOIS lookup
whois target.com
# DNS enumeration
nslookup target.com
dig target.com ANY
dig target.com MX
dig target.com NS
# Subdomain discovery
dnsrecon -d target.com
# Email harvesting
theHarvester -d target.com -b all**Google Hacking (OSINT)**
# Find exposed files
site:target.com filetype:pdf
site:target.com filetype:xls
site:target.com filetype:doc
# Find login pages
site:target.com inurl:login
site:target.com inurl:admin
# Find directory listings
site:target.com intitle:"index of"
# Find configuration files
site:target.com filetype:config
site:target.com filetype:env**Google Hacking Database Categories:**
- Files containing passwords
- Sensitive directories
- Web server detection
- Vulnerable servers
- Error messages
- Login portals
**Social Media Reconnaissance**
- LinkedIn: Organizational charts, technologies used
- Twitter: Company announcements, employee info
- Facebook: Personal information, relationships
- Job postings: Technology stack revelations
Phase 3: Scanning
Active enumeration of target systems:
**Host Discovery**
# Ping sweep
nmap -sn 192.168.1.0/24
# ARP scan (local network)
arp-scan -l
# Discover live hosts
nmap -sP 192.168.1.0/24**Port Scanning**
# TCP SYN scan (stealth)
nmap -sS target.com
# Full TCP connect scan
nmap -sT target.com
# UDP scan
nmap -sU target.com
# All ports scan
nmap -p- target.com
# Top 1000 ports with service detection
nmap -sV target.com
# Aggressive scan (OS, version, scripts)
nmap -A target.com**Service Enumeration**
# Specific service scripts
nmap --script=http-enum target.com
nmap --script=smb-enum-shares target.com
nmap --script=ftp-anon target.com
# Vulnerability scanning
nmap --script=vuln target.com**Common Port Reference**
| Port | Service | Notes |
|------|---------|-------|
| 21 | FTP | File transfer |
| 22 | SSH | Secure shell |
| 23 | Telnet | Unencrypted remote |
| 25 | SMTP | Email |
| 53 | DNS | Name resolution |
| 80 | HTTP | Web |
| 443 | HTTPS | Secure web |
| 445 | SMB | Windows shares |
| 3306 | MySQL | Dat
🎯 Best For
- Security auditors
- DevSecOps teams
- Compliance officers
- QA engineers
- Developers writing unit tests
💡 Use Cases
- Auditing dependencies for known CVEs
- Scanning API endpoints for auth gaps
- Generating test cases for edge conditions
- Writing integration test suites
📖 How to Use This Skill
- 1
Install the Skill
Copy the install command from the Terminal tab and run it. The SKILL.md file downloads to your local skills directory.
- 2
Load into Your AI Assistant
Open Claude and reference the skill. Paste the SKILL.md content or use the system prompt tab.
- 3
Apply Ethical Hacking Methodology to Your Work
Open your project in the AI assistant and ask it to apply the skill. Start with a small module to verify the output quality.
- 4
Review and Refine
Review AI suggestions before committing. Run tests, check for regressions, and iterate on the skill output.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can this replace a dedicated SAST tool?
AI-based security review is complementary to SAST tools. Use it as a first-pass filter, not a replacement.
Does this generate test mocks?
Many testing skills include mock generation. Check the install command and skill content for details.
Is Ethical Hacking Methodology compatible with Cursor and VS Code?
Yes — this skill works with any AI coding assistant including Cursor, VS Code with Copilot, and JetBrains IDEs.
Do I need specific dependencies for Ethical Hacking Methodology?
Check the install command and Works With section. Most code skills only require the AI assistant and your codebase.
How do I install Ethical Hacking Methodology?
Copy the install command from the Terminal tab and run it. The skill downloads to ./skills/ethical-hacking-methodology/SKILL.md, ready to use.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
Only scanning surface-level issues
Deep security review requires understanding your app architecture, not just regex patterns.
Not testing edge cases
AI tends to generate happy-path tests. Manually review for boundary conditions.
Skipping validation
Always test AI-generated code changes, even for simple refactors.
Missing dependency updates
Check if the skill requires updated dependencies or new packages.