Question

Describe the state of hacking today and the role hackers play in the evolution of the Internet. Within your discussion, compare and contrast the three common hacker types (white, black, and grey hat).

Answer 1

Hacking generally refers to unauthorized intrusion into a computer or a network. The person engaged in hacking activities is known as a hacker.

Computers have become mandatory to run a successful business. It is not enough to have isolated computer systems; they need to be networked to facilitate communication with external businesses. This exposes them to the outside world and hacking. Some of the illegal acts performed during hacking are stealing important data like credit card information, corrupt a computer system, and create and disperse spam.

Hacking has become quite easier due to the growing wireless network popularity i.e internet, which allows hackers to gain unauthorized access to a wireless network by simply being a couple a hundred feet from an unsecured wireless access point.

Who is a Hacker? Types of Hackers

A Hacker is a person who finds and exploits the weakness in computer systems and/or networks to gain access. Hackers are usually skilled computer programmers with knowledge of computer security.

Hackers are classified according to the intent of their actions.

Ethical Hacker (White hat): A hacker who gains access to systems with a view to fix the identified weaknesses. They may also perform Penetration Testing and vulnerability assessments.

Cracker (Black hat): A hacker who gains unauthorized access to computer systems for personal gain. The intent is usually to steal corporate data, violate privacy rights, transfer funds from bank accounts, etc.

Grey hat: A hacker who is in between ethical and black hat hackers. He/she breaks into computer systems without authority with a view to identify weaknesses and reveal them to the system owner.