How to Become a Hacker
Hacking is an activity that involves gaining unauthorized access to systems, networks, or devices. Hackers can exploit cybersecurity vulnerabilities to steal information, access financial accounts, or perform other malicious actions. Hackers use different techniques, including phishing, to trick vulnerable users into opening malicious attachments or links that compromise security.
The term “hacker” gained notoriety in the 1990s with a series of high-profile cybercrimes and arrests. This included the hacking of major corporations like Microsoft, Amazon, and Yahoo!, as well as government agencies and the International Space Station.
A traditional view of hackers is of a lone rogue programmer who is highly skilled in coding and modifying computer software and hardware. While this image is accurate to some extent, it neglects the fact that hacking is actually a multibillion-dollar industry that involves incredibly sophisticated and successful attack methods.
Watkins explains that true hackers can be divided into two categories. The first, called black hats, are criminal hackers that target organizations for profit or espionage. This group includes the infamous hackers who have made headlines with hacks of companies, government agencies, and even public figures. These hackers have a wide range of motivations for their attacks, including a desire to wreak havoc for fun or as a form of civil disobedience.
The other category of hacker is the white hat, who does not intend to cause harm. These hackers are invited by a company to test its cybersecurity systems for weaknesses. The most effective way to become a white hat hacker is by completing a degree or bootcamp program that builds your grasp of cybersecurity concepts and gives you exposure to ethical hacking techniques.