Cybersecurity as relatable as possible.

What if the boundary separating heroes from villains in the digital realm is not as clear as we assume?

In a world where hackers have the power to shape the fate of nations and individuals, are they digital outlaws or the unsung architects of a new era?

To address these thought-provoking queries, we must delve into the identity of hackers and their various categories. Furthermore, we will shed light on the essence of ethical hacking.

A hacker is a person who looks at the world differently by using a tool, a system, a process, or a product for a purpose other than it was originally intended.

Have you ever thought about the different ways you can use a sugar packet at a café? Perhaps not just for sweetening your tea, but for leveling a table or getting rid of gum. Maybe even creating a small card-like house to amuse your children. This ability to repurpose and redefine the uses of a simple sugar packet is what defines a hacker. In the past, a hacker was simply someone who searched for and fixed vulnerabilities and errors in programs, much like regular tech support.

Unfortunately, over time, the term garnered unfavourable attention, and the media began labelling a hacker as an individual who uncovers novel methods of breaching a system. Whether it be a computer system or a programmable logic controller, someone with the ability to infiltrate banks, pilfer credit card details, and so forth. This is the portrayal crafted by the media, and it is incorrect since everything possesses both positive and negative facets.

The progression of hacking cannot be simplified to just a tale or crime movie plot, but rather acts as a reflection of the dynamic nature of the digitally connected society. Considering this, let us delve into the subject straight away.

Upon analysing the behaviour of hackers, it becomes crystal clear that their actions pivot mainly on their mindset, disregarding the instruments that they use. This is even more pronounced within the hacking industry.

When dealing with hackers, there's a perplexing overlap between the intentions of the malicious and the ethical as we study their schemes and objectives.

The lines between the malicious and the virtuous blur as we delve into the types and motives of hackers.

Hacker types: Black hat, white hat, grey hat

• Black hat: In many cases, these individuals are raised in breeding grounds for malevolent cyberactivity. They are responsible for the creation of harmful software like 'ILoveYou', 'BitDefender', 'Agent.BTZ', and various other debilitating viruses, worms, and trojans. Their main objective is often to steal digital possessions in hopes of receiving substantial earnings. Others are just individuals who thrive on creating disorder, chaos, and occasionally even physical harm. These individuals, known as black-hat hackers or crackers, are responsible for any type of online disturbance.

• White hat: Companies hire white-hat hackers to identify vulnerabilities and share their discoveries. These hackers are well-compensated for their efforts and typically refrain from exploiting vulnerabilities for personal gain. Some white-hat hackers even develop their own creations, such as antivirus software or other innovative solutions. While some work as part of a company's red team, others operate independently as bounty hunters, searching for weaknesses in systems.

• Grey hat: Those who possess knowledge about computers, software, coding languages, and vulnerabilities can assist others or themselves. From time to time, they take it upon themselves to rectify issues in programs they have installed on their personal computers. Nevertheless, if you happen to anger them, they can cause trouble for you.

The essence of ethical hacking

As previously mentioned, the prevalence of bad actors in a time of vast software advancements and lax security protocols has compelled many of us to safeguard our assets. With a higher number of software developers than security specialists, it's imperative to understand the perspective of these malicious actors in order to effectively protect against them. Thus, learning how to hack entails adopting their viewpoint and using it to fortify our defenses.

Learning hacking is not an easy task. It requires a very strong understanding of how everything works — literally. Computers, networks, people. Everything!

Now, would you take a step further to learn, or you’d rather stay at the normal user side and keep watching the war between heroes and villains?

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