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Types of Hackers

1 Global Definitions

Hacker: A person who uses technical knowledge to gain access to systems, often categorized by intent and legality.
Ethical Hacking: Authorized testing of systems for vulnerabilities, often done by security professionals.

1.1 Categories of Hackers

White Hat

Also called ethical hackers, they are employed to test security systems.

Work with consent
Identify and fix vulnerabilities
Used in penetration testing

Black Hat

Criminal hackers who exploit systems illegally for personal or financial gain.

Perform unauthorized access
Sell exploits on the dark web
Violate cybercrime laws

Grey Hat

Operate between ethical and illegal actions—often hack without permission but do not have malicious intent.

May expose security flaws publicly
Actions may lead to legal issues
Often active in security forums

1.2 Emerging Hacker Types

Script Kiddies

Inexperienced hackers who use pre-written tools to exploit systems without deep technical knowledge.

Use tools like Metasploit
Often seek attention rather than profit

Hacktivists

Use hacking to promote political or social causes.

Conduct DDoS attacks
Expose censored or classified content

State-Sponsored Hackers

Employed or supported by governments to conduct espionage, sabotage, or influence campaigns.

Target national infrastructure
Involved in cyber warfare

1.3 Why Classification Matters

Understanding the types of hackers helps in developing proper legal, ethical, and technical responses to threats. Each group poses different risks and requires tailored countermeasures.