We hear about cybersecurity breaches every day and how someone or someone's business got "hacked." By now most people ...
We hear about cybersecurity breaches every day and how someone or someone's business got "hacked." By now most people understand there are many different types of attacks, but did you know that there are many types of hackers? They're not always the guy in the dark room in a black hoodie surrounded by four or five monitors. The term “hacker” has become synonymous with cybercrime, but the reality is that hacking can be used for both malicious and beneficial purposes. A hacker is someone who uses their knowledge of computers and technology to gain unauthorized access to systems or networks in order to steal data, disrupt operations, or cause other types of damage. However, hackers are also people who use their skills to find vulnerabilities in systems and networks so they can be fixed before malicious actors have a chance to exploit them. In short, hackers are both heroes and villains depending on how their skills are applied. Now Let's get into the different types of hackers.
Black Hat Hackers
A black hat hacker is someone who uses their knowledge of computers and technology to gain unauthorized access to systems or networks with malicious intent. They are the antithesis of white hat hackers, who use their skills to help organizations protect themselves against cyberattacks by identifying vulnerabilities and providing solutions before they can be exploited by bad actors. Black hat hackers engage in activities such as identity theft, data breaches, malware attacks, website defacement, and other forms of cybercrime. While some may argue that these individuals have a certain level of skill when it comes to computer programming and security protocols, the truth is that their actions are illegal and pose a serious threat to businesses and individuals alike.
White Hat Hackers
Ethical hacking is a term that has become increasingly popular in recent years as the world becomes more and more connected. Ethical hackers are people who use their knowledge of computer systems and technology to find vulnerabilities in networks or systems so these can be fixed before malicious actors have a chance to exploit them. Ethical hackers are also known as “white hat” hackers, as they use their skills for good instead of evil. They work for companies or governments to find vulnerabilities in their systems and networks before malicious hackers can exploit them.
State-Sponsored Hackers
State-sponsored hackers are a type of hacker that is employed by a government or state to conduct cyber operations on behalf of their country. These hackers use their skills to gain unauthorized access to systems and networks for the purpose of gathering intelligence, disrupting operations, stealing data, and causing other types of damage. State-sponsored hackers can be highly skilled and well-resourced individuals with advanced hacking techniques at their disposal. They may also have access to sophisticated tools developed exclusively for espionage purposes which allows them to remain undetected while conducting their activities. As such, they pose an even greater threat than regular criminals or hacktivists who usually lack the resources and expertise needed for successful cyber attacks. Their actions can lead to diplomatic tensions and even military conflicts.
Grey Hat Hackers
A grey hat hacker is someone who uses their skills to bridge the gap between black and white hat hacking. Grey hat hackers are not malicious like black hat hackers, but they also don’t use their skills solely for ethical purposes like white hats do. Instead, grey hats will often exploit vulnerabilities in systems or networks without permission from the owners of those systems or networks, though they may inform them of the weaknesses afterward. They may also offer services such as penetration testing or security auditing for a fee. In this way, grey hats can be seen as both beneficial and potentially dangerous depending on how their activities are used.
Script Kiddies
Script kiddies are a type of hacker that pose a serious threat to computer systems and networks. They are unskilled hackers who use pre-written scripts and tools, usually found on the internet, to launch cyber attacks. These scripts can be used for malicious purposes such as stealing data or disrupting operations, but they can also be used by script kiddies with good intentions in order to find security vulnerabilities so they can inform system administrators about them. While their intentions may not always be malicious, script kiddies still pose a risk due to their lack of knowledge and experience when it comes to hacking.
