BotNet News

Hacking is the creative technical approach to understanding and exploring technology’s limits with unconventional curiosity. When done well, hacking can help strengthen security and build clever solutions. When done wrong, it can cause serious damage to computers and business systems. Hacking can be illegal, and it often is when performed without the consent of the owner. It is not a crime to test security measures, however, and many cybersecurity professionals are hackers by trade and engage in penetration testing, bug bounties, and vulnerability research on a regular basis.

Hackers are often motivated by one of four things: financial gain through theft of passwords, credit card information, or bank accounts; personal notoriety through the spread of malware; corporate espionage; and state-sponsored hacking to steal classified data. Hacktivists, such as Anonymous, LulzSec, and WikiLeaks, are often politically driven and use their skills to promote a cause.

The vast majority of hackers are not black hats. In fact, there is a very large and respected group of hackers known as white hats who use their hacking skills for good. There are also gray hat hackers who operate in a moral middle ground.

Script kiddies discover vulnerabilities through their play with technology and continue to hack until they’re caught or their access is denied. Skilled white hat hackers stay up-to-date on the latest threats, and some even earn credentials and certifications, such as Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH). The threat of hacking is growing more complex with the proliferation of connected devices like smart cars, routers, and IoT devices that are susceptible to attacks. To minimize the risk, companies should ensure that they update all software regularly to protect against known vulnerabilities.