The World of Cybersecurity: A Study on the Most Commonly Used Programming Languages by Hackers
As the world becomes increasingly digital, the importance of cybersecurity continues to grow. With the rise of cyber attacks, it’s essential to understand the tools and techniques used by hackers. In 2021, a team of scientists conducted a survey at the German Chaos Computer Club (CCC) to determine the most commonly used programming languages in the world of cybersecurity. In this article, we will delve into the results of the survey, validate its key findings through the Exploit Database, and provide readers with step-by-step instructions on how to set up the analysis environment.
Survey Findings The survey aimed to find out which programming languages were most commonly used by hackers. The researchers sent a link to an online questionnaire to the members of the Chaos Computer Club in May 2021. The results showed that the most widely used programming languages among the respondents were the Shell and Python. The study also revealed that participants’ language preferences had changed over time.
However, it’s important to note that the sample size of the study was relatively small, with only 48 responses. Additionally, the study only targeted members of the CCC, so the findings may be biased. Despite these limitations, the survey provides valuable insights into the programming languages used by hackers.
Validating the Results through the Exploit Database To validate the key results of the survey, we conducted an analysis of the Exploit Database. The Exploit Database is a repository of exploits and vulnerabilities that have been discovered and disclosed. By analyzing the data in the database, we can get a better understanding of the programming languages used by hackers.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Setting up the Analysis Environment
To set up the analysis environment, follow these steps:
1.Download the Exploit Database from the official website.
2.Unzip the archive to a directory of your choice.
3.Open a terminal window and navigate to the directory where you unzipped the archive.
4.Run the following command to extract the data from the Exploit Database:
grep -E '^##|^# |^#\t' exploits.csv | sed 's/^#//' > data.csv5.Use your preferred data analysis tool to analyze the data.
Summary of Results Our analysis of the Exploit Database confirmed the key findings of the survey. The results showed that the most commonly used programming languages in the world of cybersecurity are the Shell and Python. However, the analysis also revealed that other programming languages, such as C and Perl, are also commonly used by hackers.
What is the Exploit-DB?
The Exploit-DB is a platform that offers a public archive of exploits and corresponding vulnerable software. It was created to provide a centralized repository of information that could be used by security researchers and penetration testers. The database consists of different attributes such as an exploit ID, author, type, and publication date. Each record relates to a file that contains the actual script or program of the exploit.
At the time of writing, the Exploit-DB contains over 45,000 exploits from more than 9,000 unique authors. The platform can be accessed via its website or through a toolset available under Kali Linux.
How to Access the Exploit-DB Under Kali Linux
Users can access the root directory of the Exploit-DB by executing the shell command exploitdb. The directory contains a CSV file with an Exploit-DB snapshot (files_exploits.csv) as well as subdirectories with the actual scripts or programs (exploits/).
The CSV file contains a snapshot of the database and can be used for data analysis and research. The subdirectories contain the actual scripts or programs of the exploits.
Conclusion The Exploit-DB is a valuable resource for penetration testers and security researchers. With over 45,000 exploits from more than 9,000 unique authors, the platform offers a wealth of information that can be used to improve the security of systems and networks. Whether you are a seasoned cybersecurity professional or just starting out, the Exploit-DB is a platform that should be on your radar.
