BotNet News

Hacking is the act of gaining unauthorized access into digital devices, computer systems or computer networks. The goal is often to install malware, steal information or disrupt service. However, hacking can be ethical and useful — white hat hackers (also known as penetration testers) use their skills to test software vulnerabilities so they can be fixed.

Hackers are incredibly skilled. They can breach firewalls, go undetected by cybersecurity software and exploit security weaknesses that are often overlooked. They can target anything from personal computers, tablets and IoT devices to corporate or government networks. Hackers can be motivated by many factors, including financial gain (stealing credit card details or accessing banking information), a desire to achieve recognition for their hacking prowess on social media platforms, corporate espionage (accessing business intellectual property or confidential data), and even political activism.

Malicious hackers, or black hat hackers, hack for malicious purposes such as stealing personal information, causing financial loss and reputational damage or stealing national defense data. They can be state-sponsored and carry out cyberattacks against businesses, governments and military. They can also be disgruntled employees who hack their employers to get revenge or demonstrate their hacking skills. A newer category of hackers, known as script kiddies, don’t need high levels of skill and can purchase ready-made hacking tools. Hacking has become a global issue with major impacts on individuals, businesses and nations. Some of the most famous hacks include the Sony PlayStation network breach that affected 77 million consoles and Distributed Denial of Service attacks against the US Department of Defense and the International Space Station.