What Is Hacking?
Hacking involves the technical skills that can exploit cybersecurity defenses. It is often used as a profession — for instance, a pen tester — or as a hobby to gain unauthorized access to computer systems, mobile devices or internet of things devices. Threat actors use hacking to steal login credentials, personal information and money. It can also be used for extortion, ransomware and malware attacks. Ethical hackers test for security vulnerabilities as part of their jobs.
Hackers gained notoriety in the 1990s when high-profile cybercrimes were reported. For example, in 1999 a teenager breached the systems of NASA and the Department of Defense to download software worth $1.7 million. This incident, covered in Newsweek, led to the term “hacker” being viewed in a negative light by many.
Ethical hackers, sometimes referred to as grey hat hackers, use their skills to test for weaknesses in a company’s security systems and software before reporting the flaw to the business. They may even offer a solution for the issue for a fee. Blue hat hackers, on the other hand, often use their hacking skills as a form of activism or for revenge. These hackers may be seen on hacking forums and social networking sites posting personal information online to ruin reputations or launching DDoS attacks against websites.
Hackers can be found all over the world, including countries with strict laws against cybercrimes. Keeping up with digital hygiene is the best way to prevent hackers from gaining entry into your devices and accounts. For example, by regularly updating software and backing up data to a remote location, you can ensure that your confidential information is protected in the event of a cyberattack.