One of the most prestigious and in-demand certifications in the cybersecurity industry is the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification, which is provided by EC-Council. The CEH Practical Exam is a hands-on test that evaluates your practical ability to conduct penetration testing in a real-world setting, while the CEH Theory Exam tests your theoretical understanding of ethical hacking concepts and methodologies. In this blog, we will go into the specifics of the CEH Practical Exam, how to study for it, and how Texial can help you develop the skills you need to succeed.
What Is the CEH Practical Exam?
In order to pass the performance-based CEH Practical Exam, applicants must exploit weaknesses in a simulated environment to show off their knowledge and talents. The test assesses your capacity to operate as an ethical hacker and use the methods you’ve acquired in practical settings.
The CEH Practical Exam tests your ability to address actual cybersecurity problems, as opposed to the multiple-choice questions that make up the CEH Theory Exam. You must find vulnerabilities, take advantage of flaws, and protect against possible cyberattacks in order to pass the test.
Format of the CEH Practical Exam
There are twenty lab tasks on the CEH Practical Exam, and you have six hours to do them. A virtual machine (VM) with a simulated environment that mimics an actual network architecture will be made available to you. The assignments will cover a range of penetration testing and ethical hacking topics, such as:
- Network Scanning and Enumeration
- Vulnerability Assessment
- Exploitation Techniques
- Web Application Hacking
- Malware Analysis
- Cryptography
- Post-Exploitation Activities
- Report Writing and Documentation
You have to do every assignment, show off your abilities, and turn in thorough reports detailing the actions you took and the outcomes. You must submit your exam results to EC-Council at the conclusion of the test, where they will be assessed by a group of professionals.
Key Areas Tested in the CEH Practical Exam
The purpose of the CEH Practical Exam is to evaluate your knowledge of different facets of ethical hacking. Among the important topics discussed in the test are:
- Reconnaissance and Footprinting
- Tools Used: Nmap, Netcat, WHOIS
- Tasks: Identify potential targets and collect information about the organization’s network, infrastructure, and systems. This phase focuses on open-source intelligence (OSINT) techniques, scanning, and mapping the target.
- Scanning and Enumeration
- Tools Used: Nessus, Nikto, Netdiscover
- Tasks: Perform port scanning, identify open services, and enumerate vulnerable systems within the network. Enumeration involves gathering detailed information such as usernames, shares, and resources.
- Gaining Access
- Tools Used: Metasploit, Hydra, Aircrack-ng
- Tasks: Exploit identified vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to systems. This could involve exploiting software flaws, weak passwords, or misconfigurations.
- Maintaining Access
- Tools Used: Netcat, Meterpreter, WebShells
- Tasks: Install backdoors or maintain control over compromised systems to simulate real-world attack scenarios. The goal is to retain access to the target systems without detection.
- Covering Tracks
- Tools Used: Timestomp, Logcleaner, ClamAV
- Tasks: In this phase, attackers erase their digital footprints by clearing logs, deleting tools, and removing other traces of their presence.
- Web Application Hacking
- Tools Used: Burp Suite, SQLmap, OWASP ZAP
- Tasks: Identify and exploit vulnerabilities in web applications, such as cross-site scripting (XSS), SQL injection, and session management weaknesses.
- Post-Exploitation
- Tools Used: Mimikatz, PowerShell Empire
- Tasks: Elevate privileges, extract sensitive data, and establish persistence on compromised systems. Post-exploitation techniques focus on expanding control and gathering information from the victim’s network.
- Reporting
- Tasks: After completing the practical tasks, you must create detailed reports outlining the vulnerabilities found, exploitation methods used, and recommendations for improving security. Clear and concise documentation is crucial in a penetration testing engagement.
How to Prepare for the CEH Practical Exam
The CEH Practical Exam necessitates practical experience, a solid grasp of penetration testing tools, and an in-depth comprehension of ethical hacking methodologies. Several crucial measures must be taken in order to prepare for this difficult exam:
- Master the CEH Curriculum
You must fully understand the CEH curriculum before taking the practical exam. This entails being aware of the methods and resources employed in ethical hacking as well as the philosophy that behind them. Although it is not required, the CEH theoretical exam provides a solid basis for the practical exam.
- Gain Hands-On Experience
The goal of the CEH Practical Exam is to show that you can complete tasks in real-world situations. Create your own lab space where you may practise various ethical hacking methods to obtain practical experience. To test different attack vectors and replicate network environments, use virtual machines and simulators.
- Use Penetration Testing Tools
Familiarize yourself with common ethical hacking tools, such as:
- Nmap for network scanning
- Metasploit for exploitation
- Wireshark for network analysis
- Burp Suite for web application testing
- John the Ripper for password cracking Practicing with these tools will help you gain the experience you need to succeed in the practical exam.
4. Take CEH Practical Training
Participate in specialised CEH practical training courses that emphasise experiential learning. To help you acquire the abilities needed for the CEH Practical Exam, Texial offers expert-led training. You can put the theoretical information you’ve learnt into practice with Texial’s training, which consists of comprehensive laboratories and activities that mimic real-world situations.
- Expert-Led Courses: Learn from industry professionals with years of experience in ethical hacking and penetration testing.
- Hands-On Labs: Gain practical experience through interactive labs that mirror the tasks and challenges in the CEH Practical Exam.
- Customizable Learning: Texial offers flexible learning paths to cater to your skill level and pace, ensuring you can prepare effectively for the exam.
5. Practice Time Management
The CEH Practical Exam has a time limit of six hours to do all of the objectives. Take timed practice tests or complete assignments with time limits to hone your time management skills. Effective time management guarantees that you may finish all assignments completely throughout the test period.
- Prepare Your Reporting Skills
Writing reports is the last task on the CEH Practical Exam. You will be required to turn in thorough reports detailing your methods, conclusions, and suggestions throughout the test. Proficiency in reporting is crucial since it enables you to properly communicate your results.
What to Expect After the CEH Practical Exam
Following your completion of the CEH Practical Exam, EC-Council will review your results. Following examination, your performance on the lab tasks will determine your score. Feedback on your areas of strength and improvement will be included in the findings.
You may strengthen your cybersecurity and ethical hacking skills by earning the CEH Practical certification if you pass the test. This certification proves your proficiency in penetration testing and vulnerability assessment as well as your ability to manage real-world cybersecurity difficulties.
Why Texial is Your Ideal Partner in CEH Exam Preparation
Texial provides thorough cybersecurity courses that include preparing for the CEH test. With knowledgeable instructors and information that is pertinent to the business, Texial guarantees that you are ready for the CEH exam’s theoretical and practical sections. Texial can help you in the following ways:
- CEH Practical Exam Training: Learn the techniques and tools needed to succeed in the CEH Practical Exam through hands-on labs and expert-led classes.
- Real-World Scenarios: Gain experience with real-world scenarios that replicate the tasks you will face during the practical exam.
- Certification Support: Texial helps you prepare not only for the exam but also for achieving certifications like CEH, which is essential for advancing your career in ethical hacking.
Conclusion
A crucial first step in becoming a skilled and certified ethical hacker is passing the CEH Practical Exam. It assesses your practical knowledge and penetration testing skills in a virtual setting that mimics actual cybersecurity issues. You will be prepared for success with the correct training, practical experience, and preparation.
Texial offers thorough instruction and study materials to help you get ready for the CEH Practical Exam. For your path to become a certified ethical hacker, Texial is the ideal partner because of its knowledgeable teachers, realistic laboratories, and emphasis on industry tools.
Take the first step towards becoming an ethical hacker expert and passing the CEH Practical Exam by enrolling with Texial now!
