What is Hacking and How Can it Be Prevented?
Hacking is the use of technical skills to gain unauthorized access to computer systems and software. The hacker’s motive can be either ethical or malicious. Hackers can access and exploit system vulnerabilities for financial gain, personal gain, espionage or as part of nation-state attacks.
Hackers are a common security risk, posing significant threats to businesses and individuals. They may access sensitive information, steal passwords, or even compromise entire systems. Fortunately, hacking can be prevented by following a few simple rules, such as never using public Wi-Fi networks for online banking or trade accounts that exchange financial data, backing up all devices regularly, and properly disposing of old computers and devices.
It is also important to ensure all employees are aware of the risks that hacking poses, and how to recognize it when it occurs. In addition, all organizations should consider leveraging ethical hackers to identify their cybersecurity weaknesses.
Hacking gained notoriety in the 1990s due to a series of high profile cyberattacks, including the first computer worm, the first digital bank heist and Distributed Denial of Service attacks on government agencies and large corporations. The 1990s also saw a rise in black-hat hackers, who broke the law for their own gain. Typically, these individuals targeted organizations for financial gain or to carry out espionage. Often, these activities were illegal and led to substantial damages to both individuals and companies. Common techniques used by these hackers include log tampering, steganography (hiding files within legitimate ones), file timestamp manipulation and clear command histories.