Recent technological advancements have brought about tremendous innovations to meet the needs of modern businesses and users.
Technology, tools, and Internet-driven products and services have changed the way we work and live in the past. They simplify our lives and add convenience in every aspect, be it business or personal.
However, technology also creates a lot of problems and cybersecurity risks that can disrupt two areas of our lives.
Businesses suffer millions of dollars in lost customer trust and industry reputation. Likewise, individuals are intimidated by crimes and threats due to the exposure of personal data.
Hackers and their hacking methods are constantly evolving as they are also skilled professionals. Some use their skills to commit crimes, while others are hired by organizations to fight bad hackers.
Knowing what's going on in the cybersecurity industry and the types of hackers and hackers is important if you want to protect yourself and your business from hackers.
In this article, learn about the different types of hackers and hackers to differentiate them and implement the right security measures to stay safe.
What is a hacker?
Hacking is the act of individuals or hackers compromising the security of an organization by gaining access to data, networks, systems and applications and carrying out attacks. Misuse of equipment and systems can damage a business' finances and reputation.
Hacking originated in systems used by hackers with coding skills and advanced computer software and hardware.
In modern hacking, hackers use stealthy methods to attack without the sight of IT teams and network security software teams. They can trick users into opening malicious links and attachments, further exposing sensitive information.
Examples of hacking attacks can be deployment of viruses and malicious code, man-in-the-middle attacks, DDoS, DoS, phishing, ransomware, etc.
different types of hackers
Following are the different types of hacking:
Phishing
Phishing is an attempt by cybercriminals to steal your identity and money via email. Hackers make you hand over your personal information including banking credentials, passwords, card details and more.
An attacker emails someone with dodgy words that look very real. They act like someone you can trust, such as an interviewer, bank manager, service assistant, etc. It combines with other attacks such as code injection, cyberattacks, and malware to make hacking possible.
There are many types of phishing attacks, such as email phishing, spear phishing, whaling, phishing, phishing, and Angler phishing.
DoS and DDoS
Denial of service (DoS) attacks focus on a network or machine to shut it down and make it inaccessible to end users.
Here, a cyber attacker disrupts the functionality of a device by sending endless requests to the network or machine, making it inaccessible to normal traffic.
There are two types of DoS:
Buffer Overflow Attack: This attack targets CPU time, hard disk space, and memory and consumes all of these resources to crash the system and affect server behavior.
Flood attack: This attack targets servers with a large number of packets. The attacker oversaturates the server capacity, causing a DoS. For a DoS flood attack to be successful, the attacker must have more bandwidth than the target machine.
In a DDoS attack, traffic floods come from various sources. This attack is more serious than DoS because you cannot shut down various sources at once.
bait and switch
Bait and Switch is a technique fraudsters use to steal personal data and login credentials through trusted ads and channels. They trick users into visiting malicious websites and get all the details right under user’s nose.
These attacks mainly come from advertising space sold by websites. Once attackers buy ad space, they immediately replace the ad with a malicious link, causing the browser to lock up and compromise the system.
Internet-based content marketing is the main channel of attack, where users are tricked into opening links that later turn out to be malicious.
cookie theft
Cookie theft is a hijacking tactic by which an attacker can gain access to user information. Here, a third party copies insecure session data and uses it to impersonate the user. It usually occurs when a user visits a trusted site over public Wi-Fi or an unprotected network.
Once this happens, attackers can use the information or accounts to post fake news, transfer money, or perform other malicious actions.
This can be prevented if the user logs in using an SSL connection and avoids using unsecured networks to access the site.
Viruses, Trojans, Malware
A virus is a computer program that connects to another computer or software program to damage the system. A hacker inserts code into a program and waits for someone to run it. In doing so, they can infect other programs on the computer.
A Trojan horse executes a program that claims to be harmless and useful. In fact, it does things as malicious as the Greeks used Trojan horses to attack their enemies at night.
Instead of targeting software systems, Trojan horses aim to install other malicious software on the system, thereby deceiving users.
A worm is a type of malware similar to a virus. It executes malicious payload and replicates itself on the computer system. The only difference is their propagation technique. Viruses require a host program, whereas worms live in their own separate programs. They sometimes spread on their own without any human intervention.
Additionally, there are various other malicious threats such as ransomware, adware, spyware, rootkits, bots, and many more.
clickjacking attack
ClickJacking, known as a UI remediation attack, targets users through multiple opaque or transparent layers to trick them. Once a user clicks a button or link without knowing they clicked the wrong button or link, they lose information to the wrong person.
Let's say you're visiting a website and scrolling through the pages. Suddenly, when you click on a link, you may see some other advertisement to make you click on that link. Therefore, the attacker routes you to another page. This is how ClickJacking attackers work.
For example, when you visit the www.wyz.com website and see a style sheet or text box on a page, you will receive free offers and other suitable offers to entice you to open the link. In doing so, you will lose your login credentials and personal information.
fake WAP
Wireless Access Point (WAP) is a technology used to connect many users simultaneously over a common channel. Fake WAP means doing the same thing by counterfeiting the technology.
Here, hackers typically choose public places with free Wi-Fi, such as airports, shopping malls, and local coffee shops.
Sometimes they set up Wi-Fi for users, allow free access and play like a ninja. In this case, you are free to provide all the information when logging into your Wi-Fi account and other popular websites. In this way they can also hack your Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other accounts.
keylogger
A keylogger, also known as keycapping or keystroke logger, is a technique used to record every keystroke on a device or computer. It also has software that works on smartphones.
Hackers often use keyloggers to steal login credentials, sensitive corporate data, and more. It is actually software that records every activity, including mouse clicks. You can also find hardware keyloggers, where a device is inserted between the CPU and the keyboard, which offers many features to capture the recording.
Hackers use this technique to gain access to your account numbers, PINs, email IDs, passwords, and other confidential information.
tapping
Eavesdropping is an ancient security threat where attackers carefully listen to network communications for private information such as routing updates, application data, node identification numbers, and more.
Hackers use this data to compromise nodes to disrupt routing, degrade application performance and the network. Its carriers include email, cellular networks, and phone lines.
watering hole attack
A watering hole is a type of computer attack in which hackers observe or guess at websites frequently used by organizations or individuals. The attackers then infected these sites with malware, and as a result, some members were also infected with this attack.
This technique is more difficult to detect because hackers look for specific IP addresses to attack and obtain specific information. The aim is to target the user's system and gain access to the targeted website.
SQL injection
SQL injection (SQLi) is an attack in which an attacker uses malicious code to perform database operations. In this way, they can access information held securely in the organization's databases. They interfere with application queries to view data, including user data, business data, etc.
Once they gain access, they can delete data or modify it, causing changes in the behavior of the application. In some cases, hackers gained administrative rights, which is very bad for the organization.
SQLi targets web applications or websites that use SQL databases such as Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL, etc. This is the oldest and most dangerous attack, and when successful, hackers can gain access to a company's trade secrets, personal data, and intellectual property.
brute force attack
A brute force attack is a simple form of hacking that focuses on a trial and error approach to cracking passwords, encryption keys, login credentials, and more. The attacker goes through all possible cases to get the right one.
Here, brute force means hackers use brute force to try and force their way into private accounts. This is an old attack method, but still popular and effective among hackers. Hackers profit from ads, steal private data, spread malware, hijack your system for malicious activities, ruin website reputation, and more.
Attackers use different types of brute force to gain access. Some are simple brute force attacks, dictionary attacks, hybrid brute force attacks, reverse brute force attacks, and credential stuffing.
DNS spoofing (DNS cache poisoning)
In this case, an attacker uses an alternate DNS record to redirect traffic to a malicious site.
For example, you are new to college and your seniors change the classroom number. So, you end up in the wrong classroom. This continues until you get the correct campus directory.
DNS spoofing works the same way. Hackers enter false data into the cache, causing DNS queries to give you incorrect responses, leading to the wrong website. This attack is subject to deceptive cyber threats.
break the code
Cracking passwords is what hackers use to obtain login credentials. Brute force attack is also a password cracking technique.
Here, all passwords must be stored using a key derivation function (KDF). If stored in plain text, an attacker can obtain all account information by cracking the database. They use various techniques to crack passwords such as phishing, malware, rainbow attacks, guessing, dictionary searches, and more.
Who are the hackers?
A hacker is someone who has networking, programming, computer and other skills to solve or cause problems.
They break into computer systems to install malware, destroy data, steal information, damage devices, and more.
That doesn't mean all hackers are bad. They can be good or bad.
In some cases, hacking is used as a legitimate procedure by legitimate people to protect their systems and data or countries.
However, most hackers use their technical skills to harm organizations and individuals by stealing or exposing their information, demanding ransom, damaging their image in the industry, etc.
Hackers breach an organization's security walls and gain unauthorized access to phones, IoT devices, entire computing systems, networks, tablets, and computers. They exploit weaknesses in a network or system to get in and launch an attack. These weaknesses are of two types - technical and social.
different types of hackers
You know what hacking is and its types.
But who is behind all these hacks, and how do you identify and differentiate them?
Now that all hackers are not criminals, let's understand the different types of hackers and differentiate them.
white hat hacker
White hat hackers are authorized hackers who have the technical knowledge to find vulnerabilities in networks and systems. They have the power to hack into the system to check for security gaps to keep them safe from criminal hackers.
They fix holes and weaknesses in security systems and protect organizations from data breaches and different types of external and internal attacks.
black hat hacker
Black hat hackers have the same skills as white hat hackers, but use them for the wrong purpose. They are known as cybercriminals who break into systems for criminal or malicious purposes.
Black hat hackers have advanced skills to carry out possible attacks. They look for security gaps and exploits to carry out attacks that cause serious damage to organizations both in terms of money and reputation.
gray hat hacker
A gray hat hacker is again a security expert who finds easy ways to hack systems and networks. They are somewhere between black hat hackers and white hat hackers.
They engage in these activities to help website owners learn about vulnerabilities or steal information. According to their activities, they are classified. Some gray hat hackers hack for fun. They don't have any authority, but they can choose how to use their skills.
script kiddies
Script kiddies are also known as amateur hackers because they do not have advanced skills in the field of hacking. They follow the script of experienced hackers to hack systems and networks.
Often, script kiddies perform these activities only to attract the attention of experienced hackers. They don't fully understand the process, but enough to flood an IP address with excessive traffic.
For example, script kiddies can hack during Black Friday shopping deals.
Hacktivist
Hacktivists are a group of people who carry out hacktivist activities against terrorists, pedophiles, drug dealers, religious organizations, etc.
Hacktivists perform certain activities in support of political causes. They target entire organizations, or specific industries that they feel are inconsistent with their practices and views.
Malicious Insider/Report Hacker
A malicious insider is an individual, such as a contractor, former employee, partner, etc., who has access to an organization's network, data, or systems. He willfully abused and illegally exceeded their data access limits.
They are harder to detect because they have authorized access to the data and know very well all the paths to execute the hack in a planned manner. Cloud security is also compromised by malicious insiders.
green hat hacker
A green hat hacker is someone new to the field of hacking, or one can say inexperienced. They are unfamiliar with the security mechanisms and inner workings of the network.
Green hat hackers are inexperienced, but they are very eager to learn techniques to move up the ranking list. They are not necessarily threat actors, but may cause harm when practicing their designs.
Sometimes, they are dangerous because they don't know the outcome. These can lead to worst-case scenarios that are difficult to resolve.
blue hat hacker
Blue hat hackers are different from other hackers because they don't target an organization's network and systems to steal something. They are the avengers who hack computer systems to take personal revenge on the organization.
They use technology to gain access to various accounts or emails. Once they have this information, they start exploiting the profile by sending inappropriate messages etc. Sometimes ex-employees hack into a company's servers to steal information such as confidential data and expose it all to the public to damage their reputation.
Red Hat Hacking State/National Sponsored Hacking
Red hat hackers are somewhat similar to white hat hackers, but they have no authority to hack. Red Hat hackers go to great lengths to stop black hat hackers or other hackers.
They have been known to wage a war against illegal hackers and take down their servers and resources.
Sometimes they choose illegal ways to plan hacks. In short, Red Hat hackers went the wrong way and did the right thing. They usually infect the bad guys' systems, launch DDoS attacks, and use tools to access the bad hackers' systems to do damage.
elite hacker
Elite hackers are the most skilled hackers in the field of hacking. They choose the path of white hat hacker or black hat hacker. Breaking into the system and gathering information is a very difficult task for them because they are very skilled.
Elite hackers write their own exploits based on their skill and understanding of the system. They often use homemade Linux distributions according to their needs, and they have all the hacking tools.
Whether it's a Windows operating system, Unix, Mac, or Linux operating system, elite hackers are experts in every field.
in conclusion
Knowing about different hackers and hackers will give you an idea of current cybersecurity risks. It will also help you distinguish hackers since they are not bad people. Therefore, you can take appropriate security measures at the right time to prevent attacks and minimize risks.
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