The principles of ethical hacking include obtaining explicit permission before testing systems, ensuring transparency, and reporting vulnerabilities responsibly. Ethical hackers, or penetration testers, strive to improve an organization's cybersecurity posture by identifying weaknesses in their systems. They use the same tools and techniques as malicious hackers but do so with a legal and moral framework. The goal is to enhance security measures, protect sensitive data, and educate organizations about potential risks. Adhering to ethical guidelines fosters trust and cooperation between ethical hackers and businesses, ultimately leading to better cybersecurity strategies.