What is Hacking?
Hacking is the process of using technology to exploit security flaws or gain unauthorized access to computer systems and personal information. While the term has a negative connotation, hackers are not all malicious. They can be used for good, such as by finding software bugs and reporting them to companies for repair or by helping to prevent cyberattacks. They can also be used for evil, such as by attacking large corporations or selling stolen information on the dark web.
Hackers are highly skilled in coding and modifying software and hardware systems to access sensitive information and cause disruptions. They often use stealthy methods to go undetected by cybersecurity systems and devices, making them a serious threat to individual computers and global networks. They can target everything from banking systems to home Wi-Fi routers, and even baby monitors and smart TVs.
There are four main reasons why hackers attack: criminal financial gain, espionage, revenge or activism. Criminal financial gain is the most common, where hackers can use their skills to take credit card numbers or disrupt bank systems. Retaliation is another reason, where a hacker may take revenge on an organization or individual by stealing data or disabling their computer system. Finally, there is activism, where hackers can promote a political or social cause by defacing websites or creating disruptions.
A popular belief is that hackers grew out of the members of MIT’s Tech Model Railroad Club who would “hack” into their high-tech train sets to change their functions. This led to a subculture of computer programming and hardware development that has continued into the present day, resulting in a wide range of uses.