The word hacking could mean different things but most times, it is usually associated with a criminal or illegal compromise on a computer network. Generally used in different situations, hacking could also mean an unauthorised intrusion into a wide, local or personal area network. A lot of people think it is only companies that can be affected by hacking, but this notion is wrong, an individual’s mobile device that malfunctions could simply have been hacked.
Who is Hacker?
A Hacker is a skillful digital technology enthusiast who can manipulate a server through illicit means, though, one does not necessarily need to be conversant with computer programs to hack into a system, good psychological or logical knowledge can give get you in. A Hacker could want to steal data, install malware or obstruct service but we also have ethical hackers who are responsible for testing the security level of a server.
Black Hat Hackers
Black hat hackers are malicious hackers with the intention of illegally exploiting data.
They are cyber-criminals who infringe owners’ privacy to disrupt service or extort and blackmail users for funds. clearly, Hackers have different reasons to why they are committed to cyber crimes; some do it for revenge, some do it secondarily for money while some live by it and in this case are fraudsters.
Over the years, it is now obvious to how they intrude into one’s data, it could be phishing emails, viruses, trojans, botnets, creating malicious websites or software and any individual can be affected because anyone can be a hacker’s target.
With this malicious attack, black hat hackers intend to compromise computers and networks, using hostile attacks, as well as violate established policies and invade the privacy of the owner.
White Hat Hackers
Also known as ethical hackers, they are cybersecurity experts who access a computer network, not for the purpose of damaging it but rather to test the network’s security defenses. An ethical hacker is either hired or works with a company to breach the company’s site through various means known to a hacker. They act as a hacker and do everything possible to infringe a particular server however, they do not have ulterior motives other than testing the network and their only focus is the Organisation or entity they are associated with.
What white hat hackers do is penetration testing, they critically check every possible back door access, this is very important as it identifies vulnerabilities. This testing can be done periodically or before a system update goes live
Gray Hat Hacker
These hackers can be quite mischievous as they are skillful cyber intruders but not criminals, They can hack a computer program well but not with ill intentions, they won’t damage data, or blackmail the owners but instead, inform the owners of the dangers that might suffice or make these owners realise that their network is as strong as it seems and is accessible through the back door.
It should also be noted that gray hat hackers are not associated with the entity whose system they hacked, making the act illegal. They break into a server without permission to ask for a token and if not given they draw the attention of unethical hackers, then withdraw from it.
For example; they illegally intrude on a network, and won’t disrupt the server, however, they will inform the owner and ask for a small fee to fix the issue.
Gray hat hackers are not malicious neither are they ethical, they are in-between.
