Cyberattacks are rising across the globe, and companies’ spending to protect their digital systems is increasing. By 2025, the annual cost of cybercrime to the world economy is predicted to top $10.5 trillion (Cybersecurity Ventures had previously cited that figure).

Today, cybersecurity is not optional. It is a priority. The tide has turned, and ethical hacking is one of the most coveted professions in technology. People are looking for someone who can think like a hacker and act as a protector. This is why many interviews today will include not only technical questions, but ethical ones.

Here are 15 of the best ethical hacking interview questions if you’re gearing up for cybersecurity jobs, even entry-level positions.

What are the five stages of ethical hacking?

Ethical hacking follows a structured methodology with these key phases :

• Reconnaissance : Collecting basic information about the target.
• Scanning : Identifying live hosts, open ports, and services.
• Gaining Access : Exploiting vulnerabilities.
• Maintaining Access : Testing persistence potential.
• Reporting : Documenting all findings and suggesting fixes.

These stages follow the same path a real attacker would take, but in a controlled and authorised manner to identify and fix security gaps.

Explain scanning and its main types.

Scanning is the process of identifying live systems, open ports, and services running on a network so potential entry points can be mapped.

Common types include :

• Port scanning : Detecting open network ports.
• Network scanning : Finding live hosts or devices.
• Vulnerability scanning : Checking for known weaknesses.

What is footprinting? Mention some techniques.

Footprinting is the process of collecting publicly available information about a target system or organisation before any active testing begins.

Techniques include :

• WHOIS lookups for domain owner data
• DNS enumeration for server records
• Network scanning to find live devices
• Google hacking for data exposed online

What are common types of cyberattacks you should know?

Common cyberattacks you must be familiar with include :

• Phishing : Fraudulent emails to steal credentials.
• DDoS attacks : Flooding a system with traffic.
• SQL injection : Manipulating database queries.
• Cross-site scripting (XSS) : Injecting script into web pages.

These attacks frequently appear in real-world incidents, which is why interviewers expect candidates to recognise and explain them clearly.

What is SQL injection, and how can you prevent it?

SQL injection is a web attack where malicious SQL code is inserted into input fields to access or manipulate databases.

Prevention methods :

• Use parameterised queries
• Sanitise all inputs
• Apply least privilege permissions on databases

What is the OSI model, and why is it relevant to ethical hacking?

The OSI model is a network framework divided into seven layers. Ethical hackers use it to identify vulnerabilities at each layer, including how data flows and where common attacks take place.

What tools do ethical hackers commonly use?

Common tools include :

• Nmap : Port and network scanning.
• Wireshark: Packet capture and analysis.
• Metasploit: Exploit framework.
• Burp Suite: Web application security testing.

What is network sniffing?

Network sniffing captures and examines data packets travelling over a network to identify potential security weaknesses or unencrypted sensitive information.

What is a Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attack?

In an MITM attack, an attacker secretly intercepts communication between two parties and can read or change the information being exchanged.

What is ARP Poisoning?

ARP Poisoning is an attack where an attacker sends fake ARP messages on a local network to redirect traffic through their machine, allowing data interception.

What is DNS spoofing?

DNS spoofing (or poisoning) makes a DNS server return a false IP address for a legitimate domain, so users get redirected to a malicious site.

What is a denial of service (DoS) attack?

A DoS attack floods a system with fake traffic to overwhelm it and make the service unavailable to genuine users.

What is a zero-day exploit?

A zero-day exploit targets a vulnerability unknown to the vendor, meaning no patch exists at the time of the attack, making it highly dangerous.

What are white-hat, black-hat and grey-hat hackers?

• White-hat : Ethical hackers with permission to test security.
• Black-hat : Malicious hackers with harmful intent.
• Grey-hat : Operate between legal and illegal without clear consent.

How do you stay updated with new security threats?

Interviewers often ask this to judge your learning habits. Good responses include :

• Following reputable cybersecurity blogs
• Subscribing to security bulletins
• Participating in ethical hacking labs and challenges
• Attending webinars and community events

Why These Questions Matter

These ethical hacking interview questions help interviewers understand :

• How well do you know cybersecurity fundamentals?
• Can you apply theory in real-world situations?
• Can you balance skill with responsibility?
• How prepared are you for industry expectations?

Clear communication is also key, because cybersecurity roles involve teamwork and regular reporting.

For Students Building a Career in Cybersecurity

If you are considering a long-term path in this field, studying a formal degree like B.Tech CSE Cyber Security can strengthen your foundation. This field includes :

• Network security
• Ethical hacking
• Forensics
• Malware analysis
• Cyber law and policy

About MIT-WPU, Pune

MIT-WPU, Pune, offers a specialised B.Tech Computer Science and Engineering (Cyber Security and Forensics) programme. The programme trains students in :

• Ethical hacking
• Network and system defence
• Secure coding
• Incident response
• Cyber forensic investigation

Students gain practical exposure through labs, internships, industry projects, and real-world learning.

Conclusion

Cybersecurity continues to grow as one of the strongest career paths worldwide, and ethical hacking plays an important role in keeping systems safe.

Preparing well for interviews, both technically and ethically, can help you stand out. Reviewing the top 15 ethical hacking interview questions above will help you build confidence and give clear, structured answers during interviews.