Top 25 Ethical Hacking Tools for Cybersecurity Professionals

In this era, there is a large amount of sensitive data that has been stored and shared across the world. Which means that every piece of data that has been stored and shared is vulnerable somewhere in the network. You’ll get to know the importance of cybersecurity if a hacker gets into that network and steals all your sensitive data. To prevent all the cyberattacks and threats, you need to know the precautionary steps. In this article, you will learn about cybersecurity and the tools of ethical hacking to prevent any attacks. 

Table of Contents:

• What is Ethical Hacking?
• Top 25 Ethical Hacking Tools to Use in 2025
• How to Choose the Right Ethical Hacking Tool
• Conclusion

What is Ethical Hacking?

In cybersecurity, hacking can be divided into 3 major types: Grey-hat hacking, White-hat hacking, and Black-hat hacking. In Grey-hat hacking, the hackers hack the system, exploit the vulnerabilities, let the company know about their vulnerabilities, and may offer help to the company to fix the issues. In White-hat hacking, the hacker will use their skills to help protect the organization’s networks by planning and analyzing vulnerabilities. In Black-hat hacking, the hacker will hack the system or organisation purely with the malicious intent to exploit the system’s security wall. 

The white-hat hacker, or ethical hacker, is the person who is authorised to get into the system by hacking for the purpose of knowing the system’s vulnerability. These hackers will get permission from the organisation to check for any breaches or threats in the system. Now, we will see the tools that are used by cybersecurity professionals. 

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Top 25 Ethical Hacking Tools to Use in 2025

Some tools used by cybersecurity professionals legally to protect and secure the organisation’s network are listed below:  

1. Wireshark

Wireshark is a tool that is used for analysing network protocols that capture the packets and display them with the time for log purposes. This can be used when you want to analyse the network logs that can be used to troubleshoot and detect unknown entries. 

Pros:

• Wireshark can deeply analyse the network and inspect more than a hundred network protocols. 
• It is cost-effective and has frequent updates that can be customised through plugins based on requirements. 

Cons:

• If you are a beginner, you may feel overwhelmed by the number of network packets Wireshark captures. It may feel complex when you don’t have networking knowledge.
• Wireshark cannot decrypt HTTPS or any encrypted protocols without a key. This will limit monitoring of the secured connections. 

Key Features:

• Deep Packet Inspection: Captures and analyzes network packets in detail, including headers and payloads.
• Wide Protocol Support: Supports hundreds of protocols like TCP, UDP, HTTP, DNS, SSL/TLS, and more.
• Filtering & Visualization: Offers strong filtering options, color coding, and graphical views for easy traffic analysis.

2. Nmap

Nmap is abbreviated as Network Mapper, which is used to find devices and services in a network. It gathers all the information like open ports, Operating Systems, and also the active hosts present in the network. 

Pros:

• With the help of its NSE (Nmap Scripting Engine), Nmap can perform limited vulnerability detection.
• Admins and pentesters can use this tool to identify the live hosts, open ports, and services for efficient results.

Cons:

• Nmap can be detected easily by IDS (Intrusion Detection Systems) or any firewalls, making it harder for secret operations. 
• Although a graphical interface (Zenmap) exists, most users rely on the command line, which can be challenging for beginners. 

Key Features:

• Port Scanning: Identifies open, closed, or filtered ports on a target system.
• Service & Version Detection: Discovers running services and their versions on detected ports.
• OS Detection: Determines the operating system and device type of the target.

3. Metasploit Framework

The red-team hackers use the Metasploit framework, or penetration testing framework, to test the system’s vulnerability and also create exploits. These things will help the security professionals work faster. 

Pros

• It is an open source tool that will give a large number of exploits, payloads, and modules for testing vulnerabilities.
• Metasploit can work with other tools like Nmap and Nessus for vulnerability scanning and exploit development.

Cons

• Metasploit is an open-source tool. Therefore, attackers can easily access the tool and misuse it. 
• Checking for payloads and techniques requires high knowledge about systems and networks.

Key Features:

• Exploit Development & Execution: Provides a large library of ready-to-use exploits to test system vulnerabilities.
• Payload Integration: Delivers custom payloads (e.g., reverse shells, Meterpreter) for post-exploitation activities.
• Auxiliary & Post-Exploitation Modules: Includes scanners, fuzzers, and tools for privilege escalation, data extraction, and persistence.

4. Burp Suite

Burp Suite is a security testing web application tool. This tool provides vulnerability scanning and acts as a proxy to intercept and analyse requests between the client and server during authorised security testing, which is a server between the client and the internet that will send requests to the internet without the client’s knowledge. 

Pros

• The Burp Suite will detect vulnerabilities like XSS, SQL injection, XXE injection, broken authentication, and more. 
• This will give detailed information and reports of web traffic manipulation. With the help of the Burp Extender API and BApp Store professional extensions, you can increase the functionality.

Cons

• Burp Suite has paid version tools. Some tools may not work in free versions, like intruder enhancement and automation features.
• Its Graphical User Interface may not be suitable for beginners, as it has many panels and drop-downs that may confuse beginners.

Key Features:

• Proxy Interception: Intercepts and inspects HTTP/S traffic between browser and server for testing.
• Vulnerability Scanning: Automatically detects common web application security issues like SQL and Cross-Site Scripting (XSS).
• Intruder & Repeater Tools: Allows automated/customized attack payloads and manual request modification for testing.

5. Nessus

To find weaknesses in systems, networks, or software, you can use the Nessus tool. It is a vulnerability scanner tool. 

Pros

• Nessus provides perfect analytical results of vulnerabilities and threats, as it is always updated from time to time based on the latest trends. 
• Nessus can scan thousands of known vulnerabilities in any operating system, network, or application. 

Cons

• Nessus has a paid version. Only in the paid version can we use features like scheduling, custom policies, and enterprise support. But there is a free version called Nessus Essentials with minimal features to use. 
• Sometimes, when scanning thousands of vulnerabilities, Nessus may interpret flags as a threat, so it requires a manual verification to confirm it.

Key Features:

• Vulnerability Scanning: Identifies system vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and missing patches across networks.
• Comprehensive Plugin Database: Uses thousands of regularly updated plugins to detect the latest threats.
• Detailed Reporting & Compliance Checks: Generates in-depth reports and supports compliance audits (e.g., PCI-DSS, HIPAA).

6. Kali Linux

Kali Linux is the most famous tool used by hackers or testers. It has hundreds of built-in penetration testing tools. Kali is a Linux-based system used in ethical hacking. 

Pros

• Kali Linux has hundreds of preinstalled tools for penetration testing, digital forensics, and reverse engineering. 
• Kali is a customised tool for documenting and is used in specific cases or hardware. 

Cons

• It has been fully optimised for specific security tasks, and hence, it cannot be used regularly, as it may experience lag in stability. 
• You have to be fully aware of Kali packages and commands and their file system management before using them.

Key Features:

• Preloaded Security Tools: Comes with hundreds of penetration testing, forensic, and security auditing tools.
• Wide Hardware & Platform Support: Runs on desktops, servers, ARM devices, and even as a live boot without installation.
• Regular Updates & Community Support: Maintained by Offensive Security with frequent updates and strong community backing.

7. Aircrack-ng

Aircrack-ng is a tool used for Wi-Fi network security. It is mainly used for accessing, monitoring, and cracking WiFi passwords. 

Pros

• This tool can be used in a secure environment to test and crack WiFi encryption keys and passwords. 
• It can process large files and can run efficiently with simplicity and greater performance. 

Cons

• It cannot be used in all wireless network cards. As some won’t support the monitor mode or packet injection, it is essential for full functionality. 
• Using Aircrack-ng without authorization is illegal and unethical. It should only be used in a controlled and authorised environment. 

Key Features:

• WEP/WPA/WPA2-PSK Cracking: Recovers Wi-Fi keys using capture files and cracking techniques.
• Packet Capture & Injection: Captures wireless packets and supports packet injection for testing.
• Monitoring & Analysis Tools: Provides utilities for network monitoring, replay attacks, deauthentication, and performance testing.

8. John the Ripper

John the Ripper is a password-cracking tool that uses brute force and dictionary attacks to unlock or unveil the password.

Pros

• It cracks the hash algorithms like MD5, SHA, bcrypt, and also LM/NTLM, which are useful for auditing the password hashes. 
• It has a wide range of modes and wordlists, as it follows a dictionary attack and also a rule set for faster password cracking. 

Cons

• It doesn’t have a Graphical User Interface, which makes it harder to use command-line controls for beginners.
• This requires high usage of CPU/GPU. Because it follows intensive attacks like brute-force attacks and dictionary attacks. 

Key Features:

• Password Cracking: Recovers weak or lost passwords using dictionary, brute-force, and hybrid attacks.
• Wide Format Support: Supports numerous password hash types, including Unix, Windows, and web applications.
• Customization & Performance: Highly configurable with rule-based attacks and optimized for speed on multiple platforms.

9. Hydra (THC-Hydra)

To crack login credentials in protocols like HTTP, FTP, and SSH, you can use Hydra, which uses a brute force attack to crack them. 

Pros

• It is a versatile protocol that uses brute force attacks on protocols like HTTP, FTP, SSH, SMB, and more.
• It processes login cracking very swiftly and can also run multiple attacks simultaneously. 

Cons

• It can be easily flagged or detected by the intrusion detection system and intrusion prevention system, making it difficult to crack the login without triggering it. 
• It cannot perform secret operations, as attempts can be logged and send an alert to the administrator. 

Key Features:

• Fast Brute-Force Attacks: Performs rapid dictionary and brute-force attacks against login credentials.
• Protocol Support: Supports over 50 protocols, including HTTP, FTP, SSH, RDP, and databases.
• Parallelized Testing: Executes multiple simultaneous login attempts to speed up cracking.

10. SQLmap

SQLMap is a tool for detecting and exploiting SQL injection attacks in a database. 

Pros

• SQLmap can detect SQL injection vulnerabilities with basic user inputs. It can perform tasks like database fingerprinting, data extraction, and can also access the file system. 
• It is adapted to multiple database systems like MySQL, SQLite, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, and Oracle. 

Cons

• Sometimes when we query, there will be some improper queries. That type of query will corrupt the data or delete it permanently. 
• SQLmap works on the command line, so you need to be knowledgeable about the queries, as it doesn’t have a graphical user interface. 

Key Features:

• Automated SQL Injection Detection: Identifies and exploits SQL injection vulnerabilities with minimal manual effort.
• Database Takeover: Supports extracting databases, tables, users, and even full system access through DBMS.
• Wide DBMS Support: Works with major databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, and more.

11. Nikto

Nikto is useful to scan older software in a system for configuration issues or any injected malicious files that are in the system or not. 

Pros

• Nikto is an easy-to-use tool that scans web servers swiftly, checking for any vulnerabilities with the help of a simple command-line interface. 
• With a simple setup, the Nikto tool can identify the older server software and also the malicious files in the system.

Cons

• Nikto will send many alerts that weren’t exactly alerts of vulnerabilities, so they need manual validation. 
• It can easily be detected by IDS and web server logs, making it difficult to access secretly. 

Key Features:

• Web Server Vulnerability Scanning: Detects outdated software, insecure files, and common misconfigurations.
• Extensive Test Database: Uses thousands of known checks for vulnerabilities, default files, and insecure scripts.
• Reporting & Integration: Generates detailed scan reports and can integrate with other security tools for analysis.

12. Social-Engineer Toolkit (SET)

SET – Social Engineer Toolkit, which is a penetration testing platform that is used to test attacks like phishing, email spoofing, credential cracking, etc. 

Pros

• This tool is very useful for testing human-based attacks like phishing and email spoofing.
• This tool can be used for educational purposes to teach people about social engineering methods to gain knowledge about the threats and attacks. 

Cons

• This tool should be used with proper guidance and in a controlled environment, as this tool will perform real attacks. 
• Even when you practice in a legal testing space, this tool may trigger antivirus alerts due to the scripts that were used.

Key Features:

• Phishing & Credential Harvesting: Creates realistic phishing pages and email campaigns to capture user credentials.
• Payload & Attack Vectors: Provides multiple social engineering attack vectors like malicious USBs, SMS spoofing, and website cloning.
• Customizable & Automation: Highly flexible with options to automate social engineering attacks for penetration testing.

13. OpenVAS

It is an open-source vulnerability scanner used to find security vulnerabilities. This tool has many features that can be used for large enterprise security testing. 

Pros

• It can detect thousands of known security vulnerabilities in systems and services.
• It’s free of cost and has all core features, and can be customised based on the needs. 

Cons

• It has a complex setup procedure; beginners may find it difficult after installation. 
• It is slower in performance and scanning than the Nessus tool. 

Key Features:

• Comprehensive Vulnerability Scanning: Detects security issues, misconfigurations, and weaknesses across networks and systems.
• Regularly Updated Feed: Uses the Greenbone Community Feed/Enterprise Feed with thousands of up-to-date vulnerability tests.
• Detailed Reporting & Management: Provides customizable reports and integrates with vulnerability management workflows.

14. Acunetix

Acunetix is a web application tool used to scan for vulnerabilities like SQL injection, XSS, and CSRF. This tool is very useful as it can detect vulnerabilities before the attacker does. 

Pros

• It is faster in scanning, which is suitable for web scanning with fewer errors.
• Supports DevSecOps. It has a GUI that makes it easier for beginners to work with. 

Cons

• Acunetix is not a free tool. It is a paid tool used by individuals or small organisations. 
• It is a web application-based scanner, so it will not scan vulnerabilities on non-web or broader network vulnerability assessments. 

Key Features:

• Automated Web Vulnerability Scanning: Detects issues like SQL Injection, XSS, and other web application flaws.
• Advanced Crawling & Authentication: Can crawl complex web apps (including single-page apps) and handle authenticated areas.
• Reporting & Integration: Provides detailed compliance/security reports and integrates with CI/CD pipelines and issue trackers.

15. Ettercap

The Ettercap tool is used for man-in-the-middle attacks, and Ettercap is capable of performing MITM attacks and capturing packets across a LAN network. It always performs between the internet and networks, which makes it powerful in testing. 

Pros

• It can intercept traffic between devices and can modify any packets in real time, which makes it powerful for testing.
• It is useful for finding vulnerabilities in real time by allowing you to view and check the live networks and letting you edit if there is any threat.

Cons

• You need to carefully edit the live networks, as ettercap lets you edit them, which may disrupt the flow of networks that may alter the network traffic. 
• It is not beginner-friendly as it highly requires networking knowledge, as you need to work on active networks. 

Key Features:

• Man-in-the-Middle Attacks: Performs MITM attacks such as ARP poisoning to intercept and manipulate network traffic.
• Packet Sniffing & Filtering: Captures live data and allows modification or injection of packets on the fly.
• Plugin & Protocol Support: Supports multiple protocols and can be extended with plugins for advanced attack scenarios.

16. Hashcat

To crack a password or if you forget the system’s password, you can use hashcat to recover those passwords. This tool can easily crack complex hashes with the help of GPU acceleration. 

Pros

• It uses the GPU for acceleration to crack passwords, so it is much better than CPU-based cracking. 
• It can crack various hash types of algorithms like MD5, SHA1, bcrypt, NTLM, etc.

Cons

• You need to have a powerful, heavy-duty GPU card to run this tool smoothly. So it is not reliable on all the computers. 
• It will make your computer generate a lot of heat while performing, and it will consume more electricity for long operations.

Key Features:

• High-Performance Password Cracking: Utilizes GPU acceleration for extremely fast password recovery.
• Wide Algorithm Support: Supports 300+ hash types, including MD5, SHA, bcrypt, NTLM, and more.
• Flexible Attack Modes: Offers multiple cracking methods like dictionary, brute-force, rule-based, hybrid, and mask attacks.

17. Maltego

Maltego is an intelligent forensic tool used to map networks and domains visually. 

Pros

• It creates a graph that can map people, domains, IP addresses, social accounts, and more. This will help in investigating and make you understand the graph easily.
• It is used in OSINT investigations, like finding the connections of entities on the internet. 

Cons

• Maltego has a free version, but the paid version of Maltego has various integrations that will be faster and useful for professionals. 
• It has lots of interfaces and analysis processes, so it will be overwhelming at the beginning to learn. 

Key Features:

• Data Mining & Relationship Mapping: Collects and correlates data from multiple sources to reveal hidden connections.
• Graphical Link Analysis: Visualizes relationships between people, domains, IPs, social media accounts, and infrastructure.
• Integration with OSINT Sources: Supports integration with public and commercial data sources for comprehensive investigations.

18. Netcat

Netcat is used for investigating network connections and is a tool for debugging. 

Pros

• Netcat needs minimal setup as it is a small, efficient tool that will work on any system.
• It is very efficient as it is used to test open ports, transferring files, and it can even set up basic remote shells.  

Cons

• The packets sent by the Netcat tool cannot be trusted, as it sends data as plain text and will compromise the security of the data. 
• It can be easily flagged by antivirus software as it can be misused, so it is treated as a threat. 

Key Features:

• Port Scanning & Banner Grabbing: Identifies open ports and services running on target systems.
• Data Transfer & File Sharing: Transfers files between systems over TCP/UDP connections.
• Backdoor & Debugging Utility: Can be used as a simple backdoor, chat tool, or for network troubleshooting.

19. FTK (Forensic Toolkit)

FTK – Forensic Toolkit—is a digital forensic investigation toolkit that helps you recover any missing files and also helps you analyse data from the system. 

Pros

• The FTK tool can be used to recover any deleted files, emails, images or fragments from the device, which is very helpful in forensic investigations. 
• It provides detailed logs or reports that can be used as evidence in court for cases that need cyber evidence. 

Cons

• To use the FTK tool, you need to have proper legal documents. It is a commercial, paid tool that is not allowed for individuals or small communities. 
• It is highly complicated to use, so it needs proper training to use the tool. So it is not good for beginners. 

Key Features:

• Efficient Data Indexing & Searching: Quickly indexes large volumes of data for fast keyword and file content searches.
• Comprehensive Forensic Analysis: Supports recovery and analysis of deleted files, emails, registry entries, and disk images.
• Integrated Reporting & Case Management: Provides detailed forensic reports and organizes evidence for legal investigations.

20. Autopsy

Autopsy is an open-source tool used in digital forensics to analyse disks. 

Pros

• Autopsy has an intuitive GUI that supports plugins, which makes it easier to use for investigative needs. 
• It is a free tool that gives easy access to students to learn about the autopsy tool.

Cons

• It is not as powerful as the FTK tool, as it may lack some advanced features like automation and scalability.  
• It cannot handle large datasets; it will become slow or unstable while scanning. 

Key Features:

• File System Analysis: Recovers deleted files, analyzes partitions, and inspects metadata from disk images.
• Integrated Forensic Modules: Includes tools for timeline analysis, keyword search, email analysis, and registry parsing.
• User-Friendly Reporting: Generates detailed investigation reports with an easy-to-use graphical interface.

21. RouterKeygen

The RouterKeygen is used to recover WiFi passwords by trying passwords based on a dictionary (which tries common passwords by following the key patterns).

Pros

• It is a very simple interface that will check if the router has default passwords. 
• It will support different router models that help to check the default firmware. 

Cons

• This practice is unethical, and it is not legal for everyone’s use. 
• Nowadays, modern routers are built with random keys and have high-security firmware, so the routerkeygen will not be supported. 

Key Features:

• Wi-Fi Key Recovery: Generates default WPA/WEP keys for certain vulnerable router models.
• Offline Functionality: Works without internet access once the router database is downloaded.
• Wide Router Support: Supports multiple router brands and models with known default key algorithms.

22. Angry IP Scanner

The Angry IP scanner is used to scan IP addresses, and the Port scanner to detect live hosts and open ports on a network. 

Pros

• It can scan a large number of IP addresses with the help of a clean interface. 
• It can efficiently work on Windows, macOS, and Linux. 

Cons

• It has only basic scanning, and it doesn’t support advanced scanning and reporting. 
• It can easily be detected, so it cannot be used for secret operations. 

Key Features:

• Fast IP & Port Scanning: Quickly scans IP addresses and ports in a given range using multi-threading.
• Cross-Platform Support: Works on Windows, Linux, and macOS without installation (portable).
• Export & Integration Options: Allows saving scan results in multiple formats (CSV, TXT, XML) for further analysis.

23. NetStumbler

It is used to detect wireless networks that can be used for WiFi troubleshooting, and will also map the incoming and outgoing signals efficiently, as it is a Windows tool.

Pros

• It can easily access signal access points and also check the signal strength of the WiFi. 
• It can be efficiently used when you want to map live wireless motion. 

Cons

• It won’t support modern Windows operating systems. It can only support older versions of Windows, that too, only up to Windows XP. 
• It sends out the request whenever it maps the network, so it can be easily detected, which is not good for stealth operations.

Key Features:

• Wireless Network Detection: Identifies nearby Wi-Fi networks, including SSID, signal strength, and channel.
• Wardriving & Site Surveys: Useful for mapping wireless coverage and detecting unauthorized access points.
• Troubleshooting & Optimization: Helps diagnose connectivity issues and optimize wireless network placement.

24. Cain and Abel

The Cain and Abel tool is useful for password recovery with the help of network sniffing and encrypted password cracking by using brute force or dictionary attacks. 

Pros

• It has multiple password recovery methods that support password cracking, sniffing, and ARP poisoning. 
• It has the efficiency of analysing local network traffic (LAN) to know the credentials. 

Cons

• It can be detected as a malware threat by an antivirus.
• The tool is not updated frequently, so it does not work on modern versions of systems.

Key Features:

• Password Recovery & Cracking: Recovers passwords using methods like brute-force, dictionary, and cryptanalysis attacks.
• Network Sniffing: Captures network traffic to extract credentials and authentication data.
• Cryptanalysis & Decoding Tools: Supports decoding of encrypted passwords, VoIP analysis, and Microsoft authentication cracking.

25. Invicti (formerly known as Netsparker)

The Invicti tool is a web application security scanner that is used to detect vulnerabilities in web like SQL injection and XSS. 

Pros

• It provides a high accuracy rate of scanning that reduces any false alarms.
• It accumulates CI/CD integration that can easily let you work in a DevOps pipeline for scanning. 

Cons

• It is developed for a larger level of scanning, so it is not suitable for individuals. 
• It will only scan the web, so it is not used for other layers of infrastructure. 

Key Features:

• Automated Web Vulnerability Scanning: Detects vulnerabilities like SQL Injection, XSS, and misconfigurations with high accuracy.
• Proof-Based Scanning Technology: Confirms vulnerabilities by safely exploiting them, reducing false positives.
• Integration & Reporting: Integrates with CI/CD pipelines, issue trackers, and generates detailed compliance/security reports.

How to Choose the Right Ethical Hacking Tool

Choosing the right ethical hacking tool requires understanding your objective, environment, and skill level to achieve effective and legal results.

1. Purpose and Use Case: Clearly identify your objective. For example, use Nmap for network scanning, Burp Suite for web application testing, Hashcat or John the Ripper for password cracking, and Autopsy or FTK for digital forensics.
2. Compatibility and Platform Support: Check that the tool works on your operating system, such as Windows, Linux, or macOS, and supports your target environment,t like web applications, wireless networks, or databases.
3. Ease of Use versus Advanced Features: Beginners should prefer tools with a graphical interface and simple workflows, such as Zenmap or Acunetix. Experienced users can opt for advanced command-line tools such as Metasploit, Hydra, or SQLmap.
4. Community and Updates: Select tools that are regularly updated and backed by an active community. This ensures access to documentation, tutorials, plugins, and the latest security checks.
5. Legal and Ethical Considerations: Always use ethical hacking tools only in authorized environments, such as penetration tests with permission or controlled lab setups, to stay compliant with the law

Conclusion

In conclusion, ethical hacking tools play an important role in cybersecurity and are used to identify vulnerabilities before any attackers find them and exploit the network. These tools can be used from packet analysers like Wireshark to password crackers like John the Ripper. Different tools play different roles in terms of securing the network. Many of the tools are open-source and beginner-friendly, and some are paid versions with more complex features that only professionals can handle. You have learnt about these tools; use them wisely and ethically. 

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Top 25 Ethical Hacking Tools for Cybersecurity Professionals – FAQs