What are the Types of Hackers?
As gigantic the world of cybersecurity has emerged, of course, as much have hackers come in different shades—each with their own impetuses, approaches and mechanisms.
From the malicious tactics of a Black Hat Hacker to the protective measures employed by a White Hat Hacker, understanding the types of hackers is crucial in defending against modern cyber threats.
Somewhere between these extremes lies the Grey Hat Hacker, often operating in moral ambiguity.
Learning about these diverse types of hackers in cybersecurity helps in recognizing the various hacker attack types and their potential impact.
We live in a time where the term “Hacker” can evoke either fear or respect in others, depending on their affiliation with the law.
Ethical hacking and black hat hacking represent the extreme ends of the hacking spectrum, yet there is a bold line that separates them: ‘the purpose.’
The multitude of hacker types has led to rapid development in the cybersecurity sector, making it a discipline in a constant state of change.
Whether one is a Black Hat Hacker, or an ethical hacker committed to stopping the other, knowledge of these roles is necessary.
How can we tell apart the good and the bad?
First, let’s look at the main differences between ethical hacking and black hat hacking, point out the array of hacker types in cybersecurity, and discuss the importance of knowing the main hacker attack types.
What Is Ethical Hacking?
Ethical hacking, or so-called White Hat Hackers hacking, is the term that typically stands for hacking-at-good-purpose.
The hackers of this type, the so-called White Hat Hackers, whose skills put them among the top professionals working for companies and organizations that are seeking security deliver training in risk identification.
The initial line of defence for the network, software, and hardware against various hacker attack types is their intended function.
They assume the role of hackers attempting to infiltrate the network, and then emulate these hackers by identifying the network’s weak points and attempting to address them.
In other words, they don’t exploit issues; instead, they find solutions, which leads to the successful protection of the companies’ crucial data.
What type of ethical hacking do you engage in?
Ethical hackers can access security systems and networks in many ways.
Depending on how they gain access to security networks or systems to carry out a hack, they fall into different categories:
Exploring web app hacking
To be precise, web application hacking surfaces as the procedure of using a web application’s vulnerability to gain unauthorized access; obviously, with an intent to carry out malicious actions, or change data.
There are vulnerabilities in web application security that put confidentiality, integrity, and availability at risk. Web servers host web applications that can be accessed by the browser, a prime tool for exploitation.
Web applications attain many different purposes, like e-commerce, banking, social networking, and beyond.
Criminals can easily exploit security lapses in these online apps.
Exploring System Hacking
Hackers use system hacking to gain sensitive information from networks. They exploit systems by connecting to computers and/or servers.
Unauthorized access to computer networks and servers can result in significant data loss and associated revenue loss.
Ethical hackers put a lot of effort into checking the security of computer networks and servers to save them from unethical hackers who would otherwise simulate criminal activities such as identity theft or other data breaches.
Exploring Webserver Security
In such circumstances and environment, it’s a lot easier for cybercriminals to breach web applications by infiltrating the web server.
This, in the process, endows access to both personal and corporate data and information.
Unethical hackers impersonate others to unlawfully obtain private information like bank account details, addresses, passwords, and other personal data.
“Sniffing attacks” are a type of web server hacking technique that detects data on the internet.
A lot of cybersecurity agencies have people with the necessary skills to hack web servers.
This hacking technique has shaped the wide appeal of ethical hackers in society.
Exploring Wi-Fi Security
Hacking techniques for WLANs have become a prevalent issue in today’s world.
Hackers make it simple to steal your data when you connect to open public Wi-Fi networks.
Customers who connect to public hotspots run the risk of easily experiencing data siphoning through the network.
A wireless networking solution employs radio frequency; thus, at the same time, it does not prevent a hacker in the vicinity from hacking; it offers an opportunity for such hackers to be vulnerable.
Not only do large corporations hire hackers to breach digital security, but they also consult with them to ensure the safety of their customers’ remote access.
Explore the Different Types of Hackers
To better understand the difference between ethical and unethical hackers, start by analysing them.
The unethical hackers are, in effect, the opposite of the ethical hackers, who enhance and secure the technology for their clients.
However, with the above condition fulfilled, both hackers are categorized into three main types.
There are three types of hackers, each employing unique methods and having different intentions:
Hackers who violate computer ethics, such as Black Hat Hackers, are comparable to digital criminals who disregard the consequences.
They loom as an instrument to breach, evidently hostile or pernicious to the systems.
In other words, they seemingly misuse specific limitations or vulnerabilities, or to be precise, weaknesses in the company’s security systems, leading to detrimental financial consequences.
“Hacker”, as the term copiously used all over in the respective ecosystem, has been linked with those with malicious intent, leading to a plethora of misconceptions about the actual nature of hacking.
Ethical hackers
White-hat hackers are the ones who do everything of their own volition without harming anyone in particular.
They always ask the owner of a computer network or system before they attempt to gain access in any way.
Various organizations have started employing the services of white-hat hackers, whose specialized expertise is the protection of sensitive information.
Grey-hat hackers in the hacker’s world
Grey-Hat hackers now include elements that black hats and white hats would have otherwise overlooked. They are able to call for network problem fixes repeatedly and receive payment for them.
Grey-hat hackers’ decisions can be completely random, as their morals determine their choice.
Examples of Ethical Hacking
In the development of companies’ high-tech and high-security procedures, ethical hackers do have an irreplaceable role.
To enhance your understanding of ethical hacking, consider the following examples:
Independent ethical hackersÂ
Mark Litchfield is a widely recognized name in the field of ethical hacking.
In 2019, he told the BBC that he discovered Yahoo!’s websites and apps’ vulnerabilities.
Cybersecurity experts now widely acknowledge the financial benefits.
A porcupine hacker like Litchfield, who dedicates a significant amount of his time and effort to a new social movement, is contributing to the public’s well-being in the same way they do for themselves.
Ethical hacking groups
Countless organizations of all types of ethical hackers work to facilitate ethical hacking throughout the globe.
Even if they belong to different nations, they also hold skills, ideas, and resources in such a way that the group can always support the customer, the member.
Multiple online ethical hacker organizations have discovered numerous issues on major enterprises’ websites and applications, resulting in significant cash rewards.Â
Summing it up,
Hackers play vastly different roles in cybersecurity, making it essential to differentiate between their motives and techniques. Whether black, white, or grey, understanding these hacker types helps us strengthen defences against their varied attack methods.
Stay tuned for our upcoming article to learn more about the distinctions between Ethical and Black Hat Hacking.
If you’re looking for an Ethical Hacking Course or intend to learn about Threat Intelligence or a Cybersecurity online certification course, register now at 3.0 University.
You may also like
What is the Difference Between Ethical and Black Hat Hacking?
Penetration Testing Ethical Hacking
