As
we rely on technology in our daily lives, malicious hackers and other highly
skilled computer users may find us a tempting target. New ways to exploit
vulnerabilities in networks and computer systems are revealed every day.
According to research from the cybersecurity firm Forescout Technologies,
billions of domestic and commercial devices, including those that power key
infrastructure, were ready for the seizing by an ambitious hacker looking to
cause damage.
Hacking is the act of entering into an IT network system or other digital equipment without authorization. Hackers breach into a system to do damage or to expose vulnerabilities in the current security posture. Mostly, hackers are highly skilled individuals who acquire an in-depth understanding of programming languages and operating systems, discovering weaknesses in systems and the source of those vulnerabilities.
Types of Hackers
There are generally seven (7) types of hackers, including
1. White hat hackers
White hat hackers are cybersecurity professionals who deploy their expertise to identify vulnerabilities in enterprise IT systems and networks. White hat hackers are authorized to attack systems to detect vulnerabilities before a malicious hacker can.
2. Black hat hackers
Black hat hackers breach secure systems intending to do damage. When you think of a typical hacker or cyber attacker, you probably think of black hat hackers. These individuals can cause severe harm to individuals and organizations by obtaining private or sensitive information, corrupting whole systems, or modifying essential systems.
3. Gray hat hackers
Gray hat hackers implement strategies similar to white and black hat hackers. However, they are not engaging maliciously.
4. Red hat hackers
Government and other agencies hire red hat hackers to find vulnerabilities in security systems, focusing on finding and disarming black hat hackers.
5. Script kiddies
Script kiddies are novice hackers who lack the knowledge and experience of more experienced hackers in the industry.
6. Blue hat hackers
Organizations use blue hat hackers to identify potential software or system bugs before deployment.
7. Green hat hackers
Green hat hackers are determined to learn how to
carry out cyber attacks at the level of their black hat opponents.
8. Hacktivist
Hacktivist is a combination of hacker + activist. As the name suggests, these hackers have a political motive behind carrying out the attack.
9. Whistleblower hackers
These hackers are also called malicious insiders because they sit inside an organization and try to leak out the confidential information of the organization.
10. Botnets hackers
Botnet hackers are very popular these days. They
are malware coders who make bots to attack multiple devices at once. Most of
the time, they go after routers, cameras, and other Internet of Things (IoT)
devices.
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