HACKERS- INTRODUCTION!

WHAT IS HACKING?

Hacking is identifying weakness in computer systems or networks to exploit its weaknesses to gain access. 

Example of Hacking: Using password cracking algorithm to gain access to a system.

WHO ARE HACKERS AND CRACKERS?

• A hacker is a person intensely interested in the arcane and recondite workings of any computer operating system. Hackers are most often programmers. As such, hackers obtain advanced knowledge of operating systems and programming languages. They might discover holes within systems and the reasons for such holes. Hackers constantly seek further knowledge, freely share what they have discovered, and never intentionally damage data.
• A cracker is one who breaks into or otherwise violates the system integrity of remote machines with malicious intent. Having gained unauthorized access, crackers destroy vital data, deny legitimate users service, or cause problems for their targets. Crackers can easily be identified because their actions are malicious.

TYPES OF HACKERS?

Hackers are classified according to the intent of their actions. The following list classifies hackers according to their intent.

Symbol	Description
	Ethical Hacker (White hat): A hacker who gains access to systems with a view to fix the identified weaknesses. They may also perform penetration Testing and vulnerability assessments.
	Cracker (Black hat): A hacker who gains unauthorized access to computer systems for personal gain. The intent is usually to steal corporate data, violate privacy rights, transfer funds from bank accounts etc.
	Grey hat: A hacker who is in between ethical and black hat hackers. He/she breaks into computer systems without authority with a view to identify weaknesses and reveal them to the system owner.
	Script kiddies: A non-skilled person who gains access to computer systems using already made tools.
	Hacktivist: A hacker who use hacking to send social, religious, and political, etc. messages. This is usually done by hijacking websites and leaving the message on the hijacked website.
	Phreaker: A hacker who identifies and exploits weaknesses in telephones instead of computers.

WHAT IS CYBER CRIME?

Cyber crime is the use of computers and networks to perform illegal activities such as spreading computer viruses, online bullying, performing unauthorized electronic fund transfers, etc. Most cyber crimes are committed through the internet. Some cyber crimes can also be carried out using Mobile phones via SMS and online chatting applications.

TYPES OF CYBER CRIMES?

• The following list presents the common types of cybercrimes:
• Computer Fraud: Intentional deception for personal gain via the use of computer systems.
• Privacy violation: Exposing personal information such as email addresses, phone number, account details, etc. on social media, websites, etc.
• Identity Theft: Stealing personal information from somebody and impersonating that person.
• Sharing copyrighted files/information: This involves distributing copyright protected files such as eBooks and computer programs etc.
• Electronic funds transfer: This involves gaining an un-authorized access to bank computer networks and making illegal fund transfers.
• Electronic money laundering: This involves the use of the computer to launder money.
• ATM Fraud: This involves intercepting ATM card details such as account number and PIN numbers. These details are then used to withdraw funds from the intercepted accounts.
• Denial of Service Attacks: This involves the use of computers in multiple locations to attack servers with a view of shutting them down.
• Spam: Sending unauthorized emails. These emails usually contain advertisements.

 WHAT IS ETHICAL HACKING?

Ethical Hacking is identifying weakness in computer systems and/or computer networks and coming with countermeasures that protect the weaknesses. Ethical hackers must abide by the following rules.

• Get written permission from the owner of the computer system and/or computer network before hacking.

• Protect the privacy of the organization been hacked.

• Transparently report all the identified weaknesses in the computer system to the organization.

• Inform hardware and software vendors of the identified weaknesses.

WHY ETHICAL HACKING?

• Information is one of the most valuable assets of an organization. Keeping information secure can protect an organization’s image and save an organization a lot of money.

• Hacking can lead to loss of business for organizations that deal in finance such as PayPal. Ethical hacking puts them a step ahead of the cyber criminals who would otherwise lead to loss of business.

LEGALITY OF ETHICAL HACKING?

Ethical Hacking is legal if the hacker abides by the rules stipulated in the above section on the definition of ethical hacking. The International Council of E-Commerce Consultants (EC-Council) provides a certification program that tests individual’s skills. Those who pass the examination are awarded with certificates. The certificates are supposed to be renewed after some time.

SUMMARY

• Hacking is identifying and exploiting weaknesses in computer systems and/or computer networks.

• There are three main types of hackers:-

1. White Hat- Hacker who gain access to a system with owner's permission with a view to fix identified weaknesses.
2. Black Hat- A hacker who gains unauthorized access to computer systems for personal gain.
3. Grey Hat- A hacker who is in between ethical and black hat hackers. He/she breaks into computer systems without authority with a view to identify weaknesses and reveal them to the system owner.

• Cybercrime is committing a crime with the aid of computers and information technology infrastructure.

• Ethical Hacking is about improving the security of computer systems and/or computer networks.

• Ethical Hacking is legal.

All the information provided on this site are for educational purposes only. The site and authors of the website is no way responsible for any misuse of the information.

This site is totally meant for providing information on Computer Security, Information Security, Computer Programming, Penetration Testing and other related topics and is no way related towards the terms “CRACKING” or “HACKING” (Unethical).

Ethical Hacker (White hat): A hacker who gains access to systems with a view to fix the identified weaknesses. They may also perform penetration Testing and vulnerability assessments.

Cracker (Black hat): A hacker who gains unauthorized access to computer systems for personal gain. The intent is usually to steal corporate data, violate privacy rights, transfer funds from bank accounts etc.

Grey hat: A hacker who is in between ethical and black hat hackers. He/she breaks into computer systems without authority with a view to identify weaknesses and reveal them to the system owner.

Script kiddies: A non-skilled person who gains access to computer systems using already made tools.

Hacktivist: A hacker who use hacking to send social, religious, and political, etc. messages. This is usually done by hijacking websites and leaving the message on the hijacked website.

Phreaker: A hacker who identifies and exploits weaknesses in telephones instead of computers.

Ethical Hacker (White hat): A hacker who gains access to systems with a view to fix the identified weaknesses. They may also perform penetration Testing and vulnerability assessments.

Cracker (Black hat): A hacker who gains unauthorized access to computer systems for personal gain. The intent is usually to steal corporate data, violate privacy rights, transfer funds from bank accounts etc.

Grey hat: A hacker who is in between ethical and black hat hackers. He/she breaks into computer systems without authority with a view to identify weaknesses and reveal them to the system owner.

Script kiddies: A non-skilled person who gains access to computer systems using already made tools.

Hacktivist: A hacker who use hacking to send social, religious, and political, etc. messages. This is usually done by hijacking websites and leaving the message on the hijacked website.

Phreaker: A hacker who identifies and exploits weaknesses in telephones instead of computers.

Ethical Hacker (White hat): A hacker who gains access to systems with a view to fix the identified weaknesses. They may also perform penetration Testing and vulnerability assessments.

Cracker (Black hat): A hacker who gains unauthorized access to computer systems for personal gain. The intent is usually to steal corporate data, violate privacy rights, transfer funds from bank accounts etc.

Grey hat: A hacker who is in between ethical and black hat hackers. He/she breaks into computer systems without authority with a view to identify weaknesses and reveal them to the system owner.

Script kiddies: A non-skilled person who gains access to computer systems using already made tools.

Hacktivist: A hacker who use hacking to send social, religious, and political, etc. messages. This is usually done by hijacking websites and leaving the message on the hijacked website.

Phreaker: A hacker who identifies and exploits weaknesses in telephones instead of computers.