What is Hacking?
Hacking is a way to use technical skills to manipulate a computerized system using non-standard methods. Most hacks involve gaining access to sensitive personal information or breaking into a company’s data systems. There are also instances of hackers committing criminal acts like theft or fraud. Hackers can be individuals or organized crime groups and can target companies, governments or even individuals.
The term hacking gained popularity in the 1990s due to high profile cyber crimes and arrests. These included the infamous case of a 15 year old hacker that cracked into NASA and the Department of Defense computer networks. In addition, many large corporations were hit with Distributed Denial of Service attacks that shut down their websites.
Some hackers are black hat hackers who breach computer systems for their own financial gain. Others, white hat hackers, seek to improve cybersecurity by reporting vulnerabilities they discover. They may do this for a bounty or as part of a contract with a business.
Hackers are creative problem solvers and love a challenge. They are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible and find ways to get around security measures. It is not uncommon for a hacker to work on the same project for months trying different methods to break into impenetrable systems.
In today’s world, we are storing more and more of our personal information on devices that connect to the internet. This includes computers, phones, tablets, TVs, smart appliances and baby monitors. These devices are often a target of hackers because they can easily gain access to our personal information and commit crimes like theft.