What is Hacking?

Most people believe that the term "Hacking" is used for any illegal purpose, topics related to cybercrime, or computer-related crime. But that's not true at all. "Hacking" is science and art to find solutions to a real-life problem. The term "Hack" is not directly related to Computer Science or Computer Geeks. The concept of Hacking concerning Computer Science came into the culture in the 1960s at Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT university located at Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States (US).

Who are Hackers?

Hacker (related to Computer) is those people who like to tinker with software, any system, or electronic items. They also enjoy exploring how any system operates and discovering various ways to deal with - mechanically, technically, and electronically. In short, Hackers are developers who provide real-time solutions and think beyond boundaries.

Types of Hackers

White Hat Hackers

These are people of right thinking. They are computer security experts who are experts in penetration testing and other methods to ensure that a company or organization's information is safe. These IT security professionals depend and defend the continually evolving arsenal of technology to fight against criminally-minded hackers.

Black Hat Hackers

These are people of wrong or criminal thinking. This term is often used for hackers who break into networks or computers or create computer viruses. Black hat hackers technologically try to outpace white hats. They usually manage to find a human error or come up with new attacking types. Hacking purists often use the word "crackers" to refer to black hat hackers. These hackers can attempt to steal money from your bank by gaining access to your computer and then fetch the password you use for online banking. They can also attempt to send spam emails using your server to the random email address for self or specific brand's promotion. These hackers can access your computer and compromise your private data, and can even sell them. A hacker is a man behind the computer who focuses on a vulnerability in your computers or networks and breaks into it.

Script Kiddies

It is a derogatory term for black hat hackers. These people don't have a strong knowledge of hacking. Instead, they use readymade tools (created or developed by other hackers) to break into a computer or a network. These hackers have very little or no knowledge about programming and perform hacking for fame, fun, and entertainment.

Grey Hat Hackers

Grey Hat hackers have both the qualities of a White hat and Black hat hackers. They surf the internet and look for vulnerable systems in computers, networks, or phone systems. After finding the vulnerability, they hack into it, inform the system's administrator what they have done, and charge a small fee to detect and fix the vulnerability. That's why they are White Hat hackers too. But they do it all without permission from the owner of the website, computer, or network; this way, they are black hat hackers.

Hired Hackers

Controlling cyberspace and defending nations from cyber-warfare remain their prime motto. State-sponsored hackers have limitless time and funding to target civilians, corporations, and governments.

Spy Hackers

Many Corporations hire hackers to infiltrate the competition, trading, and business secrets. Those hackers may hack in from outside or gain employment to act as a mole. Spy hackers may use similar tactics as hacktivists, but their only agenda is to serve their clients' goals and get paid.

Elite Hackers

They are treated as the masters of all hackers. They have good fame and reputation among other Hackers, as we have reputed older people in our society.  Elites are senior-level hackers in hacker communities. They are known as Hacking-gurus or masters of computer hacking and deception.