Types of Hacking
Often, people think of hacking as an evil activity. However, not all hacking is malicious. The purpose of hackers is to find vulnerabilities in computer systems and exploit them to gain unauthorized access. They may use malware to take control of a computer or steal personal information.
Hackers have many motives for doing this. For instance, they may steal sensitive information from a user to sell on the internet. They may also blackmail a victim. They may also impersonate someone else to gain access to their computer.
During the 1990s, high profile cybercrimes took place. These included a $50 million ransom demanded by hackers for the release of terabytes of information. Others were convicted of breaking into corporate systems. Others were caught stealing proprietary software from radio stations to win expensive cars.
Hackers may also target potential victims through fake websites. This is known as phishing scams. They may also target users through instant messages or peer-to-peer networks.
Another popular type of hacking is social engineering. Social engineering uses psychological tricks to deceive the user into disclosing personal information. This can include information such as financial data, personal emails, or even passwords.
Hackers may also use worms, Trojan horses, and other malicious code to steal user information. They may also use these tools to launch DDoS attacks.
Another group, Anonymous, uses hacking techniques to spread information and deface websites. They are a very well-known group. They are also known for releasing personal information on the Internet.