Which tool is explicitly mentioned as aiding ethical hackers in their tasks?

The correct tool that aids ethical hackers in their tasks is Metasploit. Metasploit is a well-known penetration testing framework that provides security professionals with a suite of tools for developing and executing exploit code against a remote target machine. It allows ethical hackers to test the security of systems and networks effectively by simulating attacks.

Metasploit includes various modules for different types of attacks, including exploits, payloads, and auxiliary tools, making it a comprehensive resource for security assessments. It not only assists in identifying vulnerabilities but also helps in understanding how these vulnerabilities can be exploited, which is essential for developing effective security strategies.

In contrast, while ShellGPT and PentestGPT may leverage AI for specific applications related to pentesting or security insights, they are not as widely recognized or established as traditional tools in the ethical hacking community. Airodump-ng is primarily a packet capturing tool specifically used within the context of Wi-Fi networks, making it more specialized than a general-purpose penetration testing framework like Metasploit. Therefore, the effectiveness and versatility of Metasploit in various penetration testing scenarios solidify its status as a key tool for ethical hackers.