module specification

This module is designed to develop understanding, knowledge and skills associated with the various malicious hacking attacks targeting computer systems and the appropriate safeguards needed to minimise such attacks.

The module aims are to:
1. Provide students with knowledge and understanding of the various hacking methods used in attacking computer systems and networks.
2. Enable students to use appropriate tools and techniques to identify, analyse, evaluate and test computer security vulnerabilities prone to hacking attacks, and develop appropriate procedures, solutions and countermeasures to defend and minimise such attacks.
3. To develop students’ awareness of ethical, professional and legal issues connected with hacking.
4. Develop students’ knowledge, transferable skills and confidence in the subject leading to further academic and professional progression in this area.

• Reconnaissance and Intelligence Gathering:  Traditional and Current Hacking Methods.
• Current Approaches to Hacking.
•
• Software Tools and Practical Hacking Methods and Techniques.
• Protocols, Network Communication, Internet & Web Based Hacking Attacks.
• Blended Hacking Threats and Exploitations.
• Cloud Insecurity: Hacking the Cloud.
• Hacking Mobile Devices.
• Phishing Ecosystem& Hacking.
• Social Engineering Hacking Techniques:  Influencing and Manipulating Victims.
• Integrated Hacking Attacks Based on Complex Approaches, Processes & Systems.
• Hacking:  Ethical, Professional, Social and Legal Issues.

Learning Outcomes LO1 - LO5

Students will develop theoretical understanding and practical skills in the subject area based on weekly lectures, tutorials and supervised workshops.  The tutorials and workshops, in particular, are provided to support students in gaining practical experience in tackling a wide range of computer hacking related issues and problems.

Appropriate blended learning approaches and technologies, such as, the University’s VLE and online tools, will be used to facilitate and support student learning, in particular, to:
• deliver content;
• encourage active learning;
• provide formative and summative assessments, and prompt feedback;
• enhance student engagement and learning experience.

Students will be expected and encouraged to produce reflective commentaries and an action plan for personal development on the learning activities and tasks that they carry out to complete their work, e.g. in the form of an assessed section of their coursework report/essay

On completing the module the student will be able to:
LO1. Demonstrate an understanding of the various types of hacking methods, techniques, tactics approaches and strategies that undermine the integrity, availability and confidentiality of computer systems and networks.
LO2. Use appropriate tools, techniques and methods to identify, detect, analyse, evaluate, test and document the various types of hacking attacks on computer system and networks.
LO3. Develop and implement practical solutions and countermeasures to thwart and reduce the various threats posed by hacking attacks on computer system and networks.
LO4.  Apply ethical hacking guiding principles in undertaking the various leaning activities and tasks.
LO5. Critically reflect and evaluate the activities within the topic area in the context of Legal, Social, Ethical and Professional (LSEP) issues.

The coursework will involve identifying computing areas vulnerable to hacking and developing practical solutions to mitigate the problems using appropriate methods, techniques and tools [LO1-LO5].  Students will produce a report detailing their work based on some case study, scenario or investigation.

The final exam will further assess students’ broader understanding of the theoretical concepts of the subject [LO1].  

Students will be encouraged to complete weekly tutorial and workshop exercises as well as periodic formative diagnostic tests to enhance their learning. During tutorial and workshop sessions students will receive ongoing support and feedback on their work to promote engagement and provide the basis for tackling the summative assessments.

EC-Council Press (2017) Ethical hacking and countermeasures: Book 4 of 4: Secure
network operating systems and infrastructures. 2nd edition. Boston, Massachusetts:
Cengage Learning.
Engebretson, P. (2013) The basics of hacking and penetration testing: ethical hacking and
penetration testing made easy. 2nd ed. Edited by D. Kennedy. Waltham, MA: Syngress.
Available at: http://londonmet.eblib.com/patron/FullRecord.aspx?p=1249222.
International Council of E-Commerce Consultants and EC-Council Press (2017a) Ethical
hacking and countermeasures: Book 1 of 4: Attack phases. 2nd edition. Boston,
Massachusetts: Cengage Learning.
International Council of E-Commerce Consultants and EC-Council Press (2017b) Ethical
hacking and countermeasures: Book 2 of 4: Threats and defense mechanisms. 2nd edition.
Boston, Massachusetts: Cengage Learning.
International Council of E-Commerce Consultants and EC-Council Press (2017c) Ethical
hacking and countermeasures: Book 3 of 4: Web applications and data servers. 2nd
edition. Boston, Massachusetts: Cengage Learning.
McClure, S., Scambray, J. and Kurtz, G. (2012) Hacking exposed 7: network security secrets
and solutions. New York: McGraw-Hill. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/londonmet/detail.action?docID=4959673.
Sabih, Z. (2018) Learn ethical hacking from scratch: your stepping stone to penetration
testing. Birmingham, UK: Packt Publishing. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/londonmet/detail.action?docID=5485020.
Simpson, M. T. and Antill, N. (2017) Hands-on ethical hacking and network defense. 3rd
edition. Boston, Massachusetts: Cengage Learning.
Weaver, R., Weaver, D. and Farwood, D. (2014) Guide to network defense and
countermeasures. 3rd ed. Australia: Course Technology. Available at:
http://catalogue.londonmet.ac.uk/record=b1690218~S1.
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