What Is Hacking?
Hacking refers to an activity in which someone exploits a vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to a computer system or network. Vulnerabilities can exist in hardware, software, the network, or even personnel. Hacking can be performed by individuals or organizations, including law enforcement and nation-states, who use it to spy on adversaries or disrupt critical infrastructure. There is also a hacker subculture that promotes free access to technology and is characterized by a do-it-yourself mentality. This culture has given rise to hacktivists, like the loose collective Anonymous, who are often motivated by political goals and interests.
The term hacking has been used as computer jargon since the 1960s, when hobbyist programmers in academic circles like MIT’s Tech Model Railroad Club started modifying their high-tech model train sets to expand and enhance their functions. Hacking grew into a more general activity as personal computers became affordable, and the hackers’ culture expanded beyond MIT research labs.
By the early 1990s, media coverage and movies reinforcing a negative connotation of hacking had made it a popular term amongst the public. The 1995 movie Hackers helped solidify the negative perception of hackers.
There are different types of hackers, categorized as white, grey, and black hats. White hat hackers are ethical and do not make money from their activities. They conduct penetration tests, such as scanning for open ports and running services, and identifying vulnerabilities. Black hat hackers engage in malicious and illegal activities, such as stealing or destroying data, for financial gain or to cause disruptions. Grey hat hackers are in between the good and bad, and work to raise awareness of vulnerabilities.