When we look at cyber security, you may have come across terms like white hat, Black Hat, and grey hat to describe different types of hackers, but what does this mean? We focus on the most notorious of them all, the Black Hat hackers.
Who are Black Hat Hackers?
This is someone who exploits security vulnerabilities for malicious reasons. Unlike ethical hackers (known as white hats) who use their skills to protect systems, Black Hats look for weaknesses within systems and exploit them for their own gain. Their motives range from personal gain, financial reward, or simply causing chaos and disruption. Whether it’s to steal sensitive data, compromising system, or launching cyber-attacks, Black Hats pose a serious threat to organisations and individuals alike.
How They Operate
Black Hats will often break into computer networks and systems illegally. They use an arsenal of tools and tactics to bypass security controls, including:
- Phishing: This involves tricking users into providing private information through fake emails or websites.
- Malware: Short for “malicious software,” is a term used to cover viruses, worms, ransomware, and trojans. These tools are used to infect systems, steal data, or disrupt operations.
- SQL Injection: Black Hats exploit poorly coded websites to access databases and extract confidential information.
- Denal of Service (DoS) Attacks: By overwhelming a system with excessive requests, Black Hats can take down websites, servers or entire networks.
The Dark Web Is a Black Hats Playground
The dark web is where they often operate, selling stolen data, trading hacking tools, or offering their services for hire. The anonymity of the dark web provides a safe space for illegal activities, making it difficult for the law to prosecute them.