Which is the important programming languages for hacking? — Since hackers do not use a single programming language. They use different coding dialects for different projects.

Earlier we discuss top operating systems for hackers, today we are here before you to give some information about important programming languages of hackers used for ethical hacking.

Coding is essential for hacking because a hacker is someone who breaks a system protocol or application security which is programmed in a certain programming language. In order to understand the working and find vulnerabilities of a machine and applications, a hacker must learn a couple of programming languages to complete his task. So check out the important programming languages for hackers and security experts and where to apply it.

Programming Languages of Hackers:

There are lots of computer languages but few are required for hacking purpose because in most cases it depends upon target. There are basically three sections ― Web Hacking and Pentesting, Exploit Writing & Reverse Engineering and each of it requires different coding.

Programming languages for Web Hacking and Pentesting

If you’re interested in web hacking and pentesting, then you must learn learn below mentioned languages at-least basic and intermediate level.

1. HTML

Always begin with basics and HTML — HyperText Markup Language — should be the first one you should learn as a beginner. HTML is the building blocks of the internet and an ethical hacker should know it very well to understand web action, response, structure, and logic. Also, learning HTML is not at all that tough.

2. JavaScript

JavaScript — JavaScript is the most used as client-side programming and for web development is also the best programming language for hacking web applications. In fact, it is the best programming language for hackers and security experts for developing cross-site scripting hacking programs.

You should learn it on high priority mode. Understanding JavaScript code logic can help you find the web-apps flaws and it is the best one to manipulate both front-end and back-end web components.

3. SQL

SQL — Structured Query Language — is a database programming language used to query and fetch information from databases. All big and small websites and web apps are using databases to store data like login credentials and other valuable inventories — it is the most sensitive part of the Web. So a hacker must learn SQL to communicate with databases and to develop hacking programs based on SQL injection.

4. PHP

PHP is the most popular dynamic programming language, used mainly by websites build upon popular CMS like WordPress. So knowing PHP will help you to find vulnerabilities in such network and take down a personal website or blog. Hackers use PHP mainly for developing server hacking programs as it is a server-side scripting language. So, if you are into web hacking then deeper knowledge in PHP is necessary.

5. Perl

Perl is an important programming language for hacking to compromise old machines since many old systems still use Perl. Perl is worth learning for practical reasons — it’s very widely used for active web pages and system administration, best available language for manipulating text files on Unix systems and integration with popular web-databases. So that even if you never write Perl you should learn to read it.

Programming Languages for writing Exploits

Exploit writing is an advance part of hacking. It requires a higher level of programming language. Every professional hacker must know to exploit writing. It can be done in any programming language like C, C++, Ruby, Python, etc.

6. C

The mother of all programming language, C is the most important programming language used in creation for Linux and Windows. So learning C programming will help an ethical hacker to understand the way of working of these systems — like how CPU and memory interact with each other.

However, it is the best programming language for exploit writing and development. The low-level nature of C benefits security experts to develop hacking programs to access and manipulate system hardware and lower level resources.

7. C++

C++ is one of the best programming languages for hacking software comes under a proprietary license and require paid activation. Like C, C++ also gives the low-level of access to the system and helps to analyze the machine code and bypass such activation schemes. Also, many modern hacking programs are built on C++.

8. Python

Unlike any other programming language listed here, Python is the easiest one to learn. It is the most used language for exploit writing as Python is the easiest programming language to write automation scripts because of pre-built libraries with some powerful functionality.

Also “run without compilation” nature of Python makes its an essential programming language for hackers to take down web servers. It is highly recommended you to learn Python Socket Programming because it helps lot learning exploit creation.

9. Ruby

Ruby is a simple but complicated object-oriented programming language used in web development. Ruby is very useful in exploit writing. It is used for meterpreter scripting and do you know Metasploit Framework itself programmed in Ruby.

10. Java

Java is the most widely used programming language in the coding community. Java was originally released with the slogan “write once, run anywhere,” which was intended to underscore its cross-platform capabilities. Because of that Java is the perfect programming language for hacking PC, mobile devices and web servers.

You can make tools using Java and it can also be used to create backdoor exploits as well as exploits that can kill a computer. Once you write your hacking programs with Java, you can run them on any platform that supports Java.

11. LISP

Lisp is the second-oldest high-level programming language in widespread use today. LISP is absolutely wide open, flexible and totally machine independent makes it hacker’s favorite. You can define your own syntax and create any sort of programming paradigm you like and include it in your programs.

Programming languages for Reverse Engineering

Reverse engineering, also called back engineering, is the processes of extracting knowledge or design information from anything man-made and reproducing it or reproducing anything based on the extracted information. Reverse engineering is also beneficial in crime prevention, where suspected malware is reverse engineered to understand what it does, and how to detect and remove it, and to allow computers and devices to work together. Reverse engineering can also be used to “crack” software and media to remove their copy protection.

12. Assembly Language

Assembly is low level programming language but very complicated. One can instruct a machine hardware or software using Assembly language. Reverse Engineers uses Assembly language, and if you want to learn Reverse Eng, you must need to learn Assembly language.

Finally one more thing, programming languages for hacking also depends upon what program you want to hack, for example; if a web-app in coded in ASP.NET then you can’t hack it using PHP knowledge, although you can understand logic but it will be harder, so always make sure what you wanna hack and in which programming the app is coded.

Also hacking is a skill and only talented well-trained could become a better security expert. So learn these programming languages to its core and hard-train your abilities to solve different coding problems.

So tell us which programming languages do you know and which one are you going to learn soon ? We’d love to hear from you in the comments!