The world of Hackers is so wide, and in this global world of advanced technologies, Hackers rule everywhere. So, the question is, who are these hackers, and what type of work do they do? Is hacking legal or good, or have some adverse effects? Keep reading this article about the good and the bad hackers.
Describing “Hacking”
When talking about Hacking, we can consider it associated with cybersecurity. Hacking involves gaining unauthorized access to computer systems, networks, or digital devices through computer programming or technical skills. Whereas “Hacker” is the mastermind of all these activities.
Putting a full stop to all the questions that raise concern about the subject of Hacking being good or bad, we say that not all hackers are the culprits or criminal minds.
A hacker can use their technical skills for positive purposes, such as identifying and fixing security vulnerabilities in computer systems, but they can also use them maliciously. Cyberattacks include:
- The theft of sensitive data.
- The spread of viruses and malware.
- The duct of cyberattacks on individuals and organizations.
The good hackers are the saviors of companies and businesses when it comes to getting pissed off by any cyber security threats.
Getting to know more about the Hackers
The family tree of Hackers classifies them into three major types, i.e., White hat hackers, Black hat hackers, and Gray Hat hackers. Let’s dive deep into these 3 categories of Hackers.
White Hat hackers (Good Hackers)
The white hat hacker uses his technical expertise to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in computer systems and networks to improve their security. Identifying potential security threats helps organizations protect themselves against malicious attacks and strengthen their defenses.
The White Hat hackers are the Godmen for the digital world from the cyber security attacks. They follow a clear path toward ethical hacking and cybersecurity gameplay. Since white hat hackers use their skills for the benefit of others and to make the digital world safer, they are sometimes called ethical hackers. Companies or organizations often hire them to test their systems and networks for vulnerabilities as security consultants or penetration testers.
White hat hackers play a very significant role in modern business, where there is a rise in cloud computing at every step and every moment with the rapid increase in the statistics of cyber security attacks.
White hat hackers generally follow specific guidelines and obtain permission before testing or attempting to hack into any system, even though it is generally considered ethical and legal. By observing these rules, they are ensured that their actions do not harm others and are within the bounds of the law. Their expertise and skills categorize them into several categories-
Security Testers:
Security testers are those Good hackers hired by big businesses and companies. Their job is to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in their systems and networks and suggest better cybersecurity solutions for the problems.
Vulnerability Researchers:
Vulnerability Researchers aim to discover and report software, systems, and network cyber security vulnerabilities to the vendors or organizations responsible for those products. They assist in improving the security systems by providing information about these vulnerabilities so that cyber security experts can fix them.
Bug Bounty Hunters:
Bug Bounty hackers are driven to regularly find and report security holes because they can get paid. They work for free or as employees of a program that pays people to find bugs. The point of these bug bounty programs is to give them money for finding and reporting certain vulnerabilities.
Security Consultants:
“Security Consultants” are cyber security experts who figure out the best ways to keep your information safe, the risks that come with it, and how to fix problems like cyber threats and holes. These consultants help businesses come up with and carry out policies and plans for cyber security.
Cryptographers:
The primary objective of cryptographers is to safeguard communications and data against unauthorized and unlawful intrusion. They function by devising and testing encryption algorithms. Their proficiency in cryptographic methodologies guarantees the preservation of information confidentiality.
Reverse Engineers:
Reverse Engineers employ a more refined approach when undertaking the process. Initially, the software or hardware is decompiled and analyzed to detect security vulnerabilities to enhance its performance. Security firms, government agencies, and other organizations create innovative cybersecurity tools and techniques.
Good Hackers play a very important role in cyber security risk management. Their technical skills and experience help deliver the best cybersecurity network systems to businesses and companies.
Importance of White Hat Hackers
Secure the Data of the Public:
White Hat hackers are responsible for finding and analyzing security flaws that attackers can exploit. Further safeguards against cyberattacks to individuals and businesses.
Enhance the Cyber security practices:
Ethical hackers use their expertise to improve the safety of our digital infrastructure, including our computers, our networks, and our programs. Ethical hackers seek out and reveal security flaws that could cause your machine to crash.
Upgrading the technology:
White Hat Hackers contribute to the digital world in unique and new ways. They help secure computer systems and networks. In addition to encouraging the development of more secure technology, good hackers benefit businesses looking to save money by investing in innovation.
Reduces down the financial risk:
White hat hackers reduce the risk of cyber-attacks and prevent attacks on individuals and organizations.
Promoting transparency:
Ethical Hacking is all about identifying the vulnerabilities in software and technology companies, following security practices, and reporting them. They are the reason behind the smooth and transparent working of the technical industry.
Black Hat Hackers (Bad Hackers)
Introducing the evil mind Hackers of the digital world- “The Black Hat hackers or Bad hackers.” They threaten the cyber world with their evil minds and technical skills. It is because of these Black hat hackers that have increased the risk in cyber security in the digital world.
Black hat hackers focus on getting illegitimate access to computer systems and networks for their benefit or with negative intentions toward others. They discover the malware and vulnerabilities of the devices and steal money, data, and other confidential information. They also try to gain access to damage and harm the systems.
Law enforcement actively pursues black hat hackers once they are caught for their unethical and perhaps criminal activities. Individuals and businesses can safeguard themselves from malicious hackers by taking preventative actions like updating their systems and avoiding dangerous online practices.
Classification of Black Hat Hackers
The Black Hat hackers are classified based on their actions and intentions-
Cybercriminals:
If a hacker has these skills, they will do illegal things like steal private files, commit fraud, or launch attacks to make money.
Hacktivists:
People who want to support political or social goals might damage websites, leak private data, or stop services from working properly as part of their initiatives.
Nation-State Hackers:
Typically, governments are the ones who carry out activities such as cyber espionage, cyber sabotage, and other forms of attacks to advance their own political or commercial agendas.
Script Kiddies:
These hackers frequently do not have clear motives, and they may initiate attacks just for the fun of it or to promote themselves.
Insiders:
Insiders create a problematic situation in a company by being a part of it. As an employee, they keep an eye on and gain access to the system or the data and use it illegally. They are regarded as illegal users if they take confidential information or cause disruptions to the operation.
Scammers:
Crimesters use social engineering techniques, like phishing, to trick people into giving up personal information, like passwords and credit card numbers, or running malware.
Ransomware Attackers:
They use software to lock up files on the computers or networks of their victims and then demand a ransom to unlock them. If the debt is not paid, private details might be made public.
How are Black Hat hackers dangerous?
The Black Hat hackers have a very long and deep impact on society, people, businesses, and companies. Here are some threats from the Black Hat hackers-
Theft of sensitive information:
The main aim of the Bad hackers is to obtain the credit card numbers, IDs, business records, and financial data of businesses and companies by stealing them. This theft is done to perform corporate espionage.
Disruption of essential services:
Vital services, including power grids, transportation networks, and emergency response systems, are frequently disrupted by hackers. It can lead to chaos, panic, and even death.
Damage to computer systems:
The Black Hat hackers intentionally damage the devices by adding code harmful to computers. This results in data loss, crashed system, and other issues.
Ransomware attacks:
Ransomware attacks are the modern way of crashing down systems. The hackers encrypt the files on the user’s computer and network and demand money to unlock the computer systems. Ransomware attacks are a very good source of income to the Black-Hat hackers and a big loss to the companies and the victims.
Cyberbullying and harassment:
Hackers can use social media and other online platforms to harass, bully, or threaten other people to cause them mental pain and physical harm.
Spread of misinformation:
More and more proof shows that bad hackers are using social media and other internet sites to spread false information, cause fights over politics, damage, and spread false information.
Grey Hat Hackers (Others)
Gray Hat hackers are computer experts who look into how computer systems and networks can be broken. They are like White Hat Hackers and might not always follow the law or do the right thing.
In contrast to black hat hackers, gray hat hackers don’t mean to harm other people when they do bad things. However, they don’t always have the right to get permission to test or try to hack into systems, and what they do is sometimes illegal or unethical.
A skilled “gray hat” hacker might find breaches or weak spots in a system or network and then let the owners or managers of the system know about them. They can not only show how important the problem is and urge people to take action, but they can also take advantage of the weaknesses they find.
As far as ethics and the law are concerned, gray hat hacking is often not clear-cut. People should usually get permission from the right people before trying or hacking any systems to ensure their actions are legal and don’t hurt anyone.
Types of Gray Hat hackers
Security Researchers
They find weaknesses in software or systems but only sometimes disclose them responsibly. They can either make the vulnerabilities known to the public or sell the information to others to make money.
Hackers for Hire:
These talented individuals utilize their hacking expertise to provide various services in exchange for a fee. They can be hired to test a company’s security systems or help people unlock devices or accounts.
Vigilante Hackers:
These people use their hacking skills to punish organizations or individuals they believe are acting wrongly. Their actions, which include exposing sensitive information or disrupting operations, can be considered illegal.
Gray Hat Hacktivists:
Some hacktivists might see themselves as gray hat hackers. However, they are usually categorized as black hat hackersHackers could use their skills to carry out attacks for political or social reasons. Still, they should avoid engaging in malicious activities.
Leakers:
These people illegally access and share private information with the public. People may expose wrongdoing or seek personal gain or fame by doing this.
Cracker Defenders:
White hat hackers use their hacking skills to counter or interrupt the actions of black hat hackers. They may achieve this by gaining control of their systems or acquiring their data. Although their intentions may be aimed at protecting against malicious activities, their actions could potentially breach the law.
How to categorize Gray Hat hackers?
Identifying the Gray hat hackers is difficult since their ambitions and goals need to be clarified. Enlisted below are some characteristic features to look for the Gray Hat hackers.
Suspicious behavior-
Grey hat hackers may engage in behavior not typical of regular users, such as probing or scanning computer systems, networks, or websites for vulnerabilities or attempting to gain unauthorized access to those systems.
Leaking out vulnerabilities-
In addition to disclosing what vulnerabilities they found, grey hat hackers may suggest ways to fix the vulnerabilities and improve security measures for the organization or individual whose system they hacked.
Way of Communication:
In addition to communicating with the organizations or individuals they have hacked, grey hat hackers may offer information about their discovered vulnerabilities. They can use language that indicates a desire to help or to expose vulnerabilities. Still, they may also demand payment or other compensation.
Intentions-
There are many reasons why grey hat hackers act, such as improving security, gaining recognition, or making money. Understanding these reasons can help in identifying and assessing their intentions.
Even if a hacker has good intentions, they may still be held accountable for their actions even if they hack without authorization. When dealing with cybersecurity, it is always best to stay within legal and ethical bounds, and you should seek professional assistance if you suspect your systems have been hacked.
Everything is Okay with Security measures.
Hacking is terrifying, but with proper safety and preventive measures, you can establish a safety system that keeps your business safe from cyber threats. Because of the potential threats they pose to data security and privacy, Hacking, and hackers have become a significant concern for governments, businesses, and individuals worldwide. To protect our professional and personal information from cyber threats, we must all be aware of the dangers of Hacking.
It is easier for individuals and organizations to protect themselves against cyber threats and attacks if they understand the different types of hackers and their motivations. As long as we implement the best security software solutions and stay informed about the latest threats and vulnerabilities, we can help keep our digital world safe and secure.