Operating System Hacking
Operating System Hacking
HACKING
WHAT IS OS HACKING ?
❖ THE ACT OF EXPLOITING WEAKNESSES IN AN OPERATING SYSTEM TO PERFORM UNAUTHORIZED ACTIONS, SUCH AS
ACCESSING RESTRICTED DATA, EXECUTING COMMANDS, OR TAKING CONTROL OF THE SYSTEM.
❖ AN OPERATING SYSTEM IS A PROGRAM THAT ACTS AS AN INTERFACE BETWEEN THE SOFTWARE AND THE COMPUTER
HARDWARE . IT IS AM INTEGRATED SET OF SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS USED TO MANGE OVERALL RESOURCES AND
OPERATIONS OF THE COMPUTER
1.Data Theft:
-Hackers can access sensitive information, including personal files, passwords, and financial data.
2.Ransomware Attacks:
-Attackers may encrypt files and demand payment for their release, leading to potential data loss.
3.System Instability:
-A hacked system may experience crashes, slow performance, or inability to access applications.
4.Botnet Participation:
-Compromised machines can be used as part of a botnet for malicious activities like DDoS attacks.
5.Privacy Breaches:
-Hackers may monitor user activity, capturing sensitive information and compromising personal privacy.
WINDOWS VULNERABILITIES :-
1. REMOTE CONTROL RISKS: SOME WEAKNESSES IN WINDOWS LET HACKERS TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR COMPUTER
FROM FAR AWAY WITHOUT YOU KNOWING.
2. PERMISSION PROBLEMS: CERTAIN FLAWS ALLOW USERS TO GAIN MORE ACCESS THAN THEY SHOULD, WHICH CAN
LEAD TO UNAUTHORIZED ACTIONS ON THE SYSTEM.
3. OUTDATED SOFTWARE: MANY WINDOWS COMPUTERS ARE VULNERABLE BECAUSE THEY DON’T HAVE THE LATEST
UPDATES INSTALLED, LEAVING THEM OPEN TO ATTACKS.
4. MALWARE THREATS: WINDOWS IS A COMMON TARGET FOR VIRUSES AND RANSOMWARE, WHICH CAN LOCK YOUR
FILES OR STEAL YOUR INFORMATION.
5. TRICKS AND SCAMS: HACKERS OFTEN USE FAKE EMAILS OR MESSAGES TO TRICK PEOPLE INTO CLICKING ON HARMFUL
LINKS OR DOWNLOADING DANGEROUS FILES.
LINUX :
Linux is an open-source operating system based on the Unix architecture, known for its stability
, security, and flexibility. It is widely used in servers, desktops, and embedded systems,
and is characterized by its ability to be customized and modified by users and developers.
Linux is distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL),
allowing anyone to use, modify, and distribute it freely.
1.Data Breach:
Sensitive information, such as user credentials and files, can be accessed or stolen.
2.System Compromise:
Attackers may gain control over the system, allowing unauthorized actions.
3.Service Disruption:
Hacked systems may experience downtime or be used to launch attacks on other networks.
4.Malware Installation:
Hackers can install malicious software, creating backdoors for future access.
5.Reputation Damage:
Organizations may suffer reputational harm, especially if customer data is compromised.
LINUX VULNERABILITIES :-
1. KERNEL VULNERABILITIES: THE LINUX KERNEL CAN HAVE SECURITY FLAWS THAT ATTACKERS EXPLOIT TO GAIN ELEVATED
PRIVILEGES OR EXECUTE ARBITRARY CODE. THESE VULNERABILITIES CAN LEAD TO SYSTEM COMPROMISE.
2. MISCONFIGURATIONS: INCORRECTLY CONFIGURED SYSTEMS CAN EXPOSE SENSITIVE DATA OR ALLOW UNAUTHORIZED
ACCESS. COMMON MISCONFIGURATIONS INCLUDE WEAK PASSWORDS, OPEN PORTS, AND IMPROPER FILE PERMISSIONS.
3. UNPATCHED SOFTWARE: MANY VULNERABILITIES ARISE FROM OUTDATED SOFTWARE. FAILING TO APPLY SECURITY
UPDATES AND PATCHES CAN LEAVE SYSTEMS OPEN TO EXPLOITATION BY ATTACKERS.
4. PRIVILEGE ESCALATION: ATTACKERS CAN EXPLOIT VULNERABILITIES TO GAIN HIGHER-LEVEL PERMISSIONS THAN
INTENDED, ALLOWING THEM TO ACCESS RESTRICTED AREAS OF THE SYSTEM AND PERFORM UNAUTHORIZED ACTIONS.
5. NETWORK VULNERABILITIES: LINUX SYSTEMS CONNECTED TO NETWORKS CAN BE VULNERABLE TO ATTACKS SUCH AS
DISTRIBUTED DENIAL OF SERVICE (DDOS) OR MAN-IN-THE-MIDDLE ATTACKS IF PROPER SECURITY MEASURES, LIKE
FIREWALLS AND INTRUSION DETECTION SYSTEMS, ARE NOT IN PLACE.