What are the principles of ethical hacking?

Authorized testing to identify and fix vulnerabilities is the core principle of ethical hacking. Ethical hackers, also known as penetration testers, operate with permission from the organization they are testing. Their goal is to proactively identify security weaknesses before malicious hackers can exploit them. This process involves using similar techniques that cybercriminals would use but within a legal and ethical framework.

The focus is on improving the organization’s security posture by providing detailed reports on vulnerabilities found and recommending ways to address these issues. This approach not only helps in reinforcing defenses but also builds trust between the ethical hackers and the organization.

The other options fall outside the scope of ethical hacking. Unauthorized testing does not align with ethical standards, creating malware goes against the principles of responsible security practices, and while developing software to secure systems is important, it is a different aspect of cybersecurity that does not encompass the fundamental principles of ethical hacking.