What Is Hacking?
Hacking is the use of technical skills to exploit vulnerabilities and gain unauthorized access to systems, networks, or software. Hackers can install malware, steal or destroy data, or disrupt service. They breach cybersecurity defenses to achieve specific goals that may be ethical or malicious. Hacking can affect computers, phones, tablets, IoT devices, cars, medical equipment, and more.
Early depictions of hackers in film, TV, and online portrayed precocious teens breaching major organizations’ systems for notoriety. While that demographic is still present in today’s hacker community, the diversity of their background and motives has expanded. Hackers are a diverse group with advanced technical skills and knowledge of computer systems. They can be motivated by a desire for cash, an interest in social engineering, or a thrill from taking down large systems. They can be competitive, challenging each other to see who can crack the most systems, and they often boast about their exploits on social media.
A few common hacking techniques include:
Hackers may use passive recon to observe their targets without detection (e.g., researching their company websites and social media). They can also use packet sniffers to read data that is sent over networks (e.g., passwords or credit card information). Finally, a hacker can take advantage of a server’s weaknesses by sending lots of requests that require it to delete data quickly. This can overwhelm a server and cause it to crash, allowing the hacker to get inside.