10 Types of Hackers You Should Know

Hacker – Types of Hackers

In this post we will know about hackers, different types of hackers, different types of hacking attacks, types of hat and classes of hackers.

  • A hacker is a person who enjoys learning the details of computer system and how to stretch their capabilities – as opposed to the most computer users who prefer to learn only the minimum amount necessary. ​
  • Person who is an expert of any kind. Joys the intellectual challenge of creatively overcoming or circumventing limitations.​
  • Used as a compliment.

Types of Hackers​

  • White Hat​
  • Grey Hat​
  • Black Hat​

White Hat

  • Hacker who breaks security but who does so for altruistic or at least non malicious reasons. ​
  • Clear defined code of ethics. 

Grey Hat​

  • Ambiguous ethics.​
  • Borderline legality.

Black Hat​

  • Subvert computer security without authorization.​
  • Uses technology for terrorism, vandalism, identity theft, intellectual proper theft

 

What is ethical hacking?

An ethical hacker is a computer and network expert who attacks a security system on behalf of its owners, seeking vulnerabilities that a malicious hacker could exploit. ​

To test a security system, ethical hackers use the same methods as their less principled counterparts, but report problems instead of taking advantage of them. ​

Ethical hacking is also known as penetration testing, intrusion testing, red teaming. An ethical hacker is sometimes also called a white hat. ​

Need of Penetration Testing

  • To identify the potential vulnerabilities and subsequently repair them.​
  • To measure risk. Give a better review of the current security mechanisms.​
  • Used to show where security fails.​
  • Can test intrusion detection and incident response.​
  • Can be used to justify the need for an upgrade, bigger budget, or to validate risk assessments.

Miscellaneous Hackers

Apart from the above well-known classes of hackers, we have the following categories of hackers based on what they hack and how they do it −

Red Hat Hackers

Red hat hackers are again a blend of both black hat and white hat hackers. They are usually on the level of hacking government agencies, top-secret information hubs, and generally anything that falls under the category of sensitive information.

Blue Hat Hackers

A blue hat hacker is someone outside computer security consulting firms who is used to bug-test a system prior to its launch. They look for loopholes that can be exploited and try to close these gaps. Microsoft also uses the term BlueHat to represent a series of security briefing events.

Elite Hackers

This is a social status among hackers, which is used to describe the most skilled. Newly discovered exploits will circulate among these hackers.

Script Kiddie

A script kiddie is a non-expert who breaks into computer systems by using pre-packaged automated tools written by others, usually with little understanding of the underlying concept, hence the term Kiddie.

Neophyte

A neophyte, “n00b”, or “newbie” or “Green Hat Hacker” is someone who is new to hacking or phreaking and has almost no knowledge or experience of the workings of technology and hacking.

Hacktivist

A hacktivist is a hacker who utilizes technology to announce a social, ideological, religious, or political message. In general, most hacktivism involves website defacement or denialof-service attacks.

 

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