Ethical Hackers Are Also Known as White Hat Hackers: Everything You Need to Know
In the digital age, cyberattacks on security are all around us. But fortunately, not all hackers are trying to cause harm. Many do their best to secure our data and websites, ensure that they are secure, and ensure that businesses remain safe from cyberattacks. They are referred to as ethical hackers, and, yes, ethical hackers are also known as white-hat hackers.
You may be asking, who are these people? What are their methods of working? Do they require any training? Let’s get into the fascinating world of hacking with a white hat.
Black Hat Hacker: The Dark Side of Hacking
Before we get into the subject of white hats, we need to understand what a black hacker is. A hacker with a black hat hacks into systems with weak authorisation. Their aim could be to steal data to make money or create chaos.
Imagine it this way: If the internet were a city, black hat hackers would be burglars who would break into homes late at night.
Grey Hat Hacker: Walking the Fine Line
Sometimes, hackers aren’t able to belong to “good” or “bad” classifications. An example of a grey-hat hacker is someone who discovers flaws in systems without permission but does not have malicious motives. They could expose the flaws or request an amount to correct the flaws. The actions they take are unlawful, but they’re not necessarily malicious.
Imagine a teenager spotting an unlocked door in an open museum at night. They enter because of curiosity, but not to take anything. But technically, this isn’t the case.
Red Hat Hacker: The Internet’s Vigilante
Red-hat hackers are like vigilantes in the world of hacking. They actively seek out black hats and then take them down, often with a vengeance. Instead of making holes in the hat, they take on the enemy.
Imagine a security guard who not only catches a thief but then rips off the lockpicks of the criminal and leaves them in limbo.
Famous White Hat Hackers: Real-Life Superheroes
Numerous famous white-hat hacker stories have helped make the world more secure. Here are some inspiring stories:
Kevin Mitnick was once an infamous black hat. After having served his sentence, he changed to a different side and became a renowned security expert.
Charlie Miller exposed crucial weaknesses of iPhones in addition to hacking into a Jeep Cherokee remotely, showing the dangers associated with connected cars.
Katie Moussouris contributed to Microsoft starting its debut bug bounty program. It encouraged hackers to report issues instead of exploiting them.
Their adventures illustrate how ethical hacking isn’t only about skills but also about heart and accountability.
White Hat Hacker in Cybersecurity: A Critical Role
In the area of cybersecurity, white-hat hackers are crucial. They guard:
Banks
Hospitals
Systems of the government
Personal devices
Websites and applications
Without hackers wearing white hats, many businesses would be a target for cybercriminals.
Fun fact: In 2022 alone, the ethical hackers of companies helped solve more than 65,000 vulnerabilities by using a bug bounty program!
Green Hat Hackers: The New Kids on the Block
Green-hat hackers are people who are just beginning their journey and are committed to developing hacking skills. They’re eager, curious, and generally harmless; however, their lack of expertise can create problems that aren’t expected.
Imagine them as first-year students of the cybersecurity school with a lot of enthusiasm but learning the fundamentals.
Gray Hat Hacker Experiment: Taking Learning from the Unexpected
Here’s an actual grey hat hacker illustration:
In 2013, a hacker was able to find a flaw in Facebook that allowed him to share posts on the personal timeline of Mark Zuckerberg — and with no authorisation!
Insisting on the flaw, he complained about the issue. Facebook did not reward him at first; however, the incident resulted in improvements to their bug-reporting system.
It’s an excellent example of the way hacking could be a crossroads between good and bad.
Step-By-Step Guide: How to Become a White Hat Hacker
Learn the fundamentals of Cybersecurity
Know how websites, networks, and other applications function.Get Certified
Earn a Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification. It is recognized throughout the world and can open doors.Learn to Hack: Use ethical hacking tools, such as Hack The Box or TryHackMe.
Stay Up-to-date
Stay up-to-date with cybersecurity; it is changing quickly. Follow news, blogs, and groups such as Reddit Netsec.Participate with companies in bug bounty programs on platforms such as HackerOne or Bugcrowd.
Do your best to be honest.
Make sure you ask permission. Always make sure you report any findings with integrity. Your trust is the most valuable asset you have.
Why Trust Certified Ethical Hackers?
Engaging an ethical hacker who is certified is the same as hiring a locksmith who is aware of the tricks burglars will employ and how to stop their access. They’re certified, trained, and dedicated to protecting your privacy.
Are you ready to safeguard your company? Rely on experts who adhere to the law: ” First, no harm.“
FAQ Section
What is a black hat hacker?
A black-hat hacker is one who hacks systems with no permission, usually to gain financial gain, personal gain, or to cause damage. These are known as the “bad guys” of the hacking community.
What is a grey hat hacker?
A grey-hat hacker discovers and often attacks vulnerabilities with no permission but isn’t purely motivated by malicious motives. Their work can help secure the internet, but they also violate the law.
What is a Red Hat Hacker?
A red hacker is a vigilante who targets hackers with black hats. They believe in defending themselves and often with a lot of force, against cybercriminals.
Who Are Some Famous White Hat Hackers?
Famous white-hat hackers include Kevin Mitnick, Charlie Miller, and Katie Moussouris. They employ their expertise to help make the internet more secure.
What is a blue hat hacker?
A hacker wearing a blue hat is typically an individual outside of a business, specially hired to look for bugs before the launch of a product (essentially testers who focus on security weaknesses).
What is a white hat hacker in cybersecurity?
A white-hat security hacker is an expert who employs hacking abilities legally to improve security systems, safeguard information, and protect organisations from cyberattacks.
What Are Green Hat Hackers?
Green-hat hackers are newcomers who are learning the basics of hacking. They are enthusiastic but inexperienced and eager to become professional ethical hackers.
Give a Grey Hat Hacker Example
A hacker with a grey hat instance is when a hacker discovers an issue in a system and reports it without exploiting it, and still has access to the system without authorization, as in the authorization flaw discovered by an investigator in 2013.
Final Thoughts
The web needs heroes as well; ethical hackers, also called white hat hackers, are precisely those. They ensure that our data is safe and secure, secure our systems and keep our world in sync.
If you’re a business proprietor seeking to safeguard your business or a hacker who is dreaming of working in cybersecurity, taking a stand for ethical hacking is a wise and necessary step.
Are you ready to work with reputable professionals? It’s time to welcome an experienced hacker with a white hat to your team! Ethical hackers are also known as white hat hackers, and their skills are especially important in fields like telecommunications ethical hacking, where they help protect phone networks, internet systems, and communication channels from cyberattacks.
