Online dangers continue to grow in number daily as hackers devise new methods for stealing money and personal information from unwary internet users. Fortunately, internet security firms have made significant advancements in the technology and processes used to create anti-virus and anti-malware software.
The following is a concise summary of the different kinds of hackers you should be aware of.
White hat hackers
White hat hackers, also known as ethical hackers, assist businesses and organizations in securing their databases by detecting and eliminating viruses and other harmful applications, according to Cybrary. The majority of them have academic degrees in information technology and computer science. To enhance their employability and service quality, they get Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification from the EC Council.
Black hat hackers
Black-hat hackers are also commonly referred to as crackers. Unlike white hat hackers, who are primarily responsible for assisting customers in securing their systems, black hat hackers target businesses and banks that lack strong security systems and firewalls to steal sensitive information such as credit card numbers and addresses.
Gray hat hackers
Gray-hat hackers are distinct from black-hat and white-hat hackers in that their objectives do not include the theft of information or the demand for ransom from their victims. Rather than that, they meddle with internet platforms without a clear or defined purpose. In the past, gray-hat hackers have successfully defaced major websites and platforms, preventing people from accessing the content provided on the sites.
Script kiddies
Script kiddies are self-made cyber thieves who avoid the difficulties associated with obtaining academic credentials, as white hat hackers do. Typically, they will do an internet search for a particular piece of code, copy it to their computer, and utilize it as an SQLi or virus. Additionally, there are script kiddie hackers who spend hours on YouTube watching tutorials on how to use tools such as Metasploit before launching an attack. For example, they may flood a certain IP address with data until it succumbs to the pressure. Anonymous, a well-known hacking organization, is best known for using these kinds of methods against both individuals and businesses.
Red hat hackers
According to Bridewell Consulting, these kinds of hackers are akin to the digital world’s vigilantes. Their actions are similar to those of white hat hackers, but they are known to use aggressive methods and frightening mechanisms to accomplish their objectives. For instance, if they discover that a hacker has been remotely accessing your database or computer, they will pursue the hacker and infect their machine with viruses, making it inoperable.
Secure your computer and data by keeping your anti-virus software up to date and being cautious about how you interact with others online.