Individuals with technical skill to perpetrate cyber attacks are known as what?
Select one:
a. Career Criminals
b. Hackers
c. Crackers
d. Amateurs
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is b. Hackers.
Explanation:
The term “hacker” refers to individuals with technical skills who use their expertise to gain unauthorized access to systems, networks, or data. Hackers can exploit vulnerabilities in software, networks, and hardware to carry out malicious activities, such as stealing sensitive data, disrupting services, or compromising systems. While the word “hacker” is sometimes used to describe someone with a general interest in technology and computer systems, in the context of cybersecurity, it is most often associated with individuals who engage in illegal activities related to cyber attacks.
There are different types of hackers, each with distinct motivations and methods:
- Black hat hackers: These are the individuals most commonly associated with cyber attacks. They use their skills for malicious purposes, such as stealing data, disrupting systems, or gaining unauthorized access to networks. Black hat hackers are typically involved in illegal activities and may be motivated by financial gain, political beliefs, or personal vendettas.
- White hat hackers: These are ethical hackers who use their skills for good. They are often hired by organizations to identify vulnerabilities in systems so that they can be fixed before malicious hackers exploit them. White hat hackers are considered legal and ethical because they follow guidelines and work within the law.
- Gray hat hackers: These individuals fall somewhere between black and white hats. They may exploit vulnerabilities without malicious intent but often do so without permission from the system owner. While they may not have harmful motives, their actions can still lead to security breaches.
“Cracker” is sometimes used interchangeably with “hacker,” but it specifically refers to individuals who break into systems for malicious reasons. “Amateurs” are individuals with limited or no technical skills and are not typically associated with sophisticated cyber attacks.