Hackers are people who use computers and other devices to gain illegal access to protected computer systems and networks, usually with malicious intent.
So why would anyone want to become a hacker? Good question!
The answer is that many ethical hackers or cyber security experts choose to become hackers because of the challenging nature of the job and the salary that comes with it.
Becoming an ethical hacker will also help you learn how things work, which is always beneficial when it comes to learning about new topics, regardless of whether you’re doing it in school or in your free time.
What are Hackers?
Hackers are skilled programmers and IT professionals who find weaknesses in software, operating systems, and network systems and often exploit them to gain access to data or to interfere with the performance of these software and systems.
Hacking is typically divided into two general categories- white hat hacking (hacking skills used by corporations) and black hat hacking (hacking skills used for malicious purposes).
Why do Hackers Hack Things?
Hackers will go to great lengths to find out what you're doing, if they know you well.
They'll do things like google your name and pull up your facebook to see who you're talking to and what your interests are.
And then they'll start planning how they can take advantage of that information.
The Types of Hacks
Many hackers use phishing scams, malware, and social engineering to steal information.
Phishing scams can involve malicious email links or attachments that trick a user into installing an application or revealing sensitive information.
Malware is software that installs malicious code on your device without your knowledge.
These applications often turn phones into surveillance devices, capturing personal information from messages, passwords and other private data.
Social engineering is also a popular form of hacking because it relies on gathering enough personal information about you to craft believable messages from fake companies or other organizations.
While some hackers hack people's computers for money, others just do it for the challenge and a chance to feel powerful.
Corporate Hacks – Why, What and Who?
Hackers will hack a company for a variety of reasons. Some hackers have altruistic motives, such as those that use their skills to fight against oppressive regimes in authoritarian states.
They hack for what they feel is right, in order to make the world a better place.
There are also criminal motivations and intent behind hacking into corporate or other networks which then gives them the opportunity to steal data or intellectual property from the targeted company.
Individual Hacks – Why, What and Who?
Some of the first people to hack the United States Department of Defense computer system were actually public citizens, who wanted to show how vulnerable the network was.
These hackers were from Princeton and Stanford Universities, who had obtained unclassified passwords to some of the more popular sites at that time.
The two students then guessed at a password for an even higher classified site, which happened to be one of our nation's most sensitive military networks.
Countermeasures - Defensive Strategy
Cybercrime is a growing global threat. The world has seen an increase in hacking and cyber theft, which can result in devastating losses to organizations of all sizes.
But what can you do to prevent hackers from accessing your confidential data?
Here are some best practices to protect your information:
- Segregate critical systems. When creating new IT infrastructures, take time to understand the different systems that hold important data and where they need access.
Final words
Most of the time hackers don't need any skills to hack into a network. All they need is the vulnerability on your system and with the help of viruses and malware, your device can be hacked easily.
Nowadays, there are new tools that can exploit vulnerabilities on a larger scale such as Mirai and these cybercriminals use these tools to spread their malicious code.
To protect yourself from hackers you should always keep your system updated as well as maintaining it.
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