What Is Hacking and How Does It Affect Your Business?
Hacking is a skill set that can be used for good or bad. Malicious hackers, or black hats, are known for exploiting vulnerabilities in systems and data to steal information, disrupt services, or commit fraud. White hat hackers, on the other hand, are ethical hackers who use their skills for security testing purposes.
Ethical hacking is a form of pentesting performed with the permission of an asset owner, and it’s a vital component of modern cybersecurity risk management. It’s also completely legal when conducted under the supervision of a certified penetration tester.
Historically, hackers were hobbyists who were interested in how computers worked. They began tinkering with their toy model train sets, then progressed to IBM 704s, using code to extend the functionality of existing programs. The term ’hacking’ gained notoriety in the 1980s and 1990s when it became synonymous with cybercriminals who used their technical skills for illegal purposes. Notable events such as the Morris Worm and digital bank heists exposed the massive risks that hacking poses to individuals, organizations, and governments.
Today, hacking has expanded into a complex series of attack phases that can have devastating impacts for businesses. These include: Reconnaissance: Exploring open-source data to gain a better understanding of an organization’s public infrastructure, employee profiles, and digital footprint. Scanning and enumeration: Using automated utility tools to probe network boundaries, identify active hosts and open communication ports, and assess software vulnerabilities. Entry: Obtaining entrance into a system by exploiting a vulnerability, using stolen credentials, or deploying an initial malware foothold.