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For many people, the image of a hacker conjures up that of a dark web cybercriminal, however the popular perception of a hacker might be inaccurate. There are ethical hackers who utilise the same talents as harmful hackers to evaluate and improve the security of an organization's information systems.
Because of the opposite goals behind ethical and harmful hacking, the two are frequently referred to as 'white hat' and 'black hat' hackers, a term derived from Western films in which good and bad cowboys wear matching white and black hats.
If you're considering a career in cyber security, keep reading to learn about white and black hat hackers, as well as how to tell them apart.
- White Hat Hackers' Work Assists Cyber Security Analysts
The major distinction between white hat and black hat hackers is that white hat hackers evaluate a system for flaws rather than exploiting them like a hostile hacker would.
Penetration testing is a technique used by ethical hackers to identify susceptible places in a system's infrastructure and attempt to fortify it against future attacks. A cyber security analyst and a white hat hacker both use the same broad set of skills and techniques learned in technology classes, and they can find lucrative work at organisations looking to identify and strengthen weak spots in their security systems.
- Students enrolled in technology courses
It's important to understand that black hat hackers are cybercriminals.
While white hat hackers look for and solve security flaws in a system, black hat hackers take advantage of flaws for self-interested objectives such as financial gain, revenge, or fun. Malicious hackers can obtain information and utilise it for unlawful purposes using tools such as viruses, malware, and spyware.
A crime performed over a computerised network with the intent to harm the target or victim is known as cybercrime. Black hat hackers utilise criminal cyberattacks to obtain access to a wide range of networks, from spying on multinational agencies to recently stealing personal data.
- Malicious Malware is used by black hat hackers to steal information
Malicious hackers frequently use malware to circumvent security systems and acquire sensitive data. Malware, such as viruses or spyware, is harmful computer software that allows a hacker to steal, encrypt, or delete sensitive data.
A cyber security diploma will give you in-depth understanding and experience with malware, which is one of the most telling symptoms of black hat hacker activity due to its underlying criminal intent. Malware comes in various forms, ranging from ransomware, which is used by hackers to encrypt data until a ransom is paid, to Trojan horse applications, which look legal but activate once installed.
- Positive Cyber Security Information is Shared by Ethical Hackers
Any hacker can use information to their advantage, but ethical hackers take on the same obligations as a cyber security analyst and use what they learn to prevent cybercrime or additional victim exploitation.
Both sorts of hackers are motivated by the value of data, which may be a useful instrument for both leverage and progress. White hat hackers provide information because they want to address the problem rather than manipulating their findings for personal advantage, whereas black hat hackers use the information they find for nefarious purposes.
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