hacking

HACKING

BY HARSHITHA ATTANTI

HISTORY ABOUT HACKING

Hacking started in the 1960s with phone "phreaking" and moved into the early computer intrusions of the 1980s. In the 2000s, it expanded to organized cybercrime, data theft, and corporate espionage. It also spawned a new breed of ethical hacking that aimed to make computers safe.

WHITE HAT HACKER

White Hat Hackers are official legal cybersecurity officers who identify vulnerabilities, helping organizations improve their defenses against malicious attacks and unauthorized breaches.

GREY HAT HACKER

Grey hat hackers are the ones that explore system vulnerabilities without malicious intent but without permission. They often reveal security flaws publicly, prompting organizations to fix potential weaknesses.

black hat hacker

Black hat hackers are cybercriminals who exploit system vulnerabilities for illegal purposes, such as stealing data, spreading malware, or causing disruptions for financial gain or malicious intent.

Ethical vs. Unethical hacking

Ethical hacking involves authorized attempts to identify and fix system vulnerabilities, enhancing security. Unethical hacking exploits these vulnerabilities without permission for malicious or illegal purposes.

How all three forms of hacking-related to Cyber Security

All three forms of hacking—white, grey, and black hat—are integral to cybersecurity. White hat hackers improve security by finding and fixing vulnerabilities, while grey hat hackers expose weaknesses without authorization but often prompt fixes. Black hat hackers pose threats, exploiting vulnerabilities for malicious purposes, driving the need for stronger defenses.

additional sources

1. https://www.splunk.com/en_us/blog/learn/hacking-black-hat-vs-white-hat-vs-gray-hat.html2. https://us.norton.com/blog/emerging-threats/black-white-and-gray-hat-hackers3. https://usa.kaspersky.com/resource-center/definitions/hacker-hat-types