Who is called a hacker?
hackerA person who gains unauthorized access to computer systems and networks, manipulates them, and performs malicious activities. These people can enter computer systems and networks using hacking techniques for various purposes. While some hackers hack simply for fun or curiosity, others act for more malicious reasons such as financial gain, political or ideological purposes. However, the word hacker can sometimes also be used to describe professionals who discover vulnerabilities in computer systems and work to fix them.
What are the Hacker Types?
Hackers can be broadly divided into three types: White Hat Hackers, Black Hat Hackers, and Gray Hat Hackers.
White Hat Hackers: Also known as ethical hackers, these individuals are security experts who use their skills to find vulnerabilities in computer systems, networks and applications, and identify and report these vulnerabilities to system owners so that they can be fixed before they can be exploited by malicious actors. They are often hired by organizations to conduct security audits, penetration tests, and other security assessments.
Black Hat Hackers: Also known as malicious hackers, these individuals use their skills to break into computer systems and networks for personal gain, such as stealing sensitive data, financial information or intellectual property, or damaging the system, often for political, social or financial reasons. They can also use their hacking skills to spread malware, viruses and other harmful software.
Gray Hat Hackers: These are hackers who are not malicious but do not have permission to access the systems they enter. They may hack systems to test their skills or draw attention to vulnerabilities, but they usually do not cause any damage to the systems they hack. They can also demand payment from system owners in exchange for information about security vulnerabilities they discover. As an example of this situation, some companies even open a "Bug Bounty" program and offer monetary rewards depending on the severity of the vulnerabilities found in their systems. For example:
- 24Sessions
https://www.24sessions.com/responsible-disclosure
- Android
- BitDefender
https://bugcrowd.com/bitdefender
- Freelancer
https://www.freelancer.com/about/security
Differences between Hacker and Lamer
The term "Lamer" is generally used for people who are not skilled in hacking or computer security and who try to hack information they have learned on the internet or previously discovered security vulnerabilities on different sites, such as sending spam, flooding or defacing websites, which are disturbing to others, but are not hackers. Although it is used as a term, it is the name given to people who present themselves as hackers. In addition, people who are in the development stage of hacking are also called lamer.
The main difference between a hacker and a lamer is that a hacker has advanced skills and knowledge of computer security, while a lamer is someone who engages in activities online without having any real skills or expertise.
What are hacker motivations? Why would they want to hack?
There are many different motivations that drive hackers to engage in hacking activities. Some of the most common motivations include:
Financial gain: Many hackers are motivated by the potential to profit from their hacking activities, such as stealing credit card information, bank account information, or other financial data that they can sell on the black market or use for their own personal gain.
Political or ideological reasons: Some hackers are motivated by political or ideological reasons and may attempt to hack government or corporate systems to access sensitive information or disrupt operations to support their cause.
Personal challenge: For some hackers, hacking is a way to challenge themselves and test their skills against some of the world's most advanced security systems. These hackers may be motivated by a desire to prove their abilities or gain recognition within the hacker community.
Revenge or retaliation: In some cases, hackers may be motivated by a desire for revenge or retaliation against people or organizations they believe have wronged them or the causes they support.
Intellectual curiosity: Some hackers are motivated by a desire to learn more about computer systems and how they work. These hackers may not be malicious, but instead use their skills to explore and understand the technology around them.
It is important to note that not all hackers are malicious, and many use their skills for constructive purposes, such as improving computer security or developing new technologies. But whatever their motivation, hacking is generally illegal and can have serious consequences for those who do it.
What does hacking mean?
Hacking refers to the act of gaining unauthorized access to computer systems, networks, or devices in order to discover, manipulate, steal data, or damage the system. Hacking can be done for a variety of reasons, including personal gain, activism, or even as a challenge or hobby.
Some common techniques used by hackers to gain unauthorized access to computer systems and networks include password cracking, phishing attacks, malware and virus distribution, social engineering, and software exploits.
Hacking computer systems as well as hacking IoT devices can have serious consequences. For example, if an attacker can access a home's smart devices, they can compromise the homeowner's security and even control physical devices in the home. Likewise, if a business's IoT devices are hacked, the business could face serious financial losses. Therefore, improving the security of IoT devices and protecting the methods used to access these devices is extremely important. Examples of hacking IoT devices:
- WebCam Hacking
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-23971118
- Remote Jeep Hacking
https://www.wired.com/2015/07/hackers-remotely-kill-jeep-highway/
- BMW Hacked
How do you know if you've been hacked?
Since hackers often try to remain undetected when accessing your computer or network, it can be difficult to tell if you've been hacked. However, here are some signs that may indicate your computer or network has been compromised:
Unusual activity on your computer: If you notice unusual activity on your computer, such as programs running that you didn't start, files being deleted or moved without your permission, or changes to your settings or preferences that you didn't make, this may be a sign that your computer has been hacked.
Slow or sluggish performance: If your computer suddenly becomes slow or sluggish, this may be a sign that a hacker has installed malware or other software on your system that uses your computer's resources.
Pop-ups or error messages: If you see a lot of pop-ups or error messages that you did not initiate, this may be a sign that malware or other unwanted software has been installed on your computer.
Unfamiliar programs or files: If you see unfamiliar programs or files on your computer, this may be a sign that a hacker has installed software on your system.
Unauthorized access to your accounts: If you notice that your accounts have been accessed or your passwords have been changed without your permission, this may be a sign that your accounts have been compromised.
If you suspect that your computer or network has been hacked, it is important that you take immediate action to minimize any damage and prevent the hacker from further access. Consider disconnecting your computer from the internet, running antivirus software, or seeing a professional cyber security It is important to get help from an expert at this point.
Precautions you need to take to protect your business from hackers
Protecting your business from hackers is crucial in today's digital age. There are some solutions available to help keep your business safe.
Getting Penetration Testing Service: By detecting your existing vulnerabilities through penetration testing performed on your systems at regular intervals and closing them immediately, your systems will always be ready against a possible attack. At this point, receiving professional service always keeps companies one step ahead. To benefit from the penetration testing service we offer ……. Click here.
Using strong passwords: Strong passwords are essential to protect your business from hacking attempts. Use complex passwords that are hard to guess and change them often.
Keeping software and systems up to date: Keeping your software and systems up to date with the latest security patches and updates helps prevent hackers from exploiting known vulnerabilities.
Using firewalls and antivirus software: Install firewalls and antivirus software on all your computers and devices to protect against malware and other types of cyber attacks.
Implementing access controls: Restrict access to sensitive data and systems to authorized users only. Implement user authentication and access controls to help prevent unauthorized access.
Educating employees on cybersecurity best practices: Educate your employees on cybersecurity best practices, such as how to recognize phishing attempts and how to avoid clicking suspicious links or downloading unknown attachments.
Backing up data: Back up your business data regularly to protect against data loss in the event of a cyberattack or other disaster.
Monitoring the network: Monitor your network regularly for unusual activity, such as unauthorized access attempts or suspicious traffic.
Using two-factor authentication: To provide an extra layer of security, consider implementing two-factor authentication for all accounts containing sensitive information.
By taking these precautions, you can help protect your business from hackers and minimize the risk of a cybersecurity breach. It's also important to have a plan so you can respond quickly and minimize any damage if a breach occurs.
Books You Can Read About Hacking
“The Art of Exploitation” (Turkish: Infiltration Art)
- Author: Jon Erickson
- Date of issue: January 2, 2008
- Publisher:No Starch Press
“The Hacker Playbook 3: Practical Guide To Penetration Testing” (Turkish: Hacker Playbook 3: Practical Guide To Penetration Testing)
- Author: Peter Kim
- Date of issue: 13 March 2014
- Publisher: Secure Planet LLC
“Black Hat Python”
- Writer: Justin Seitz, Tim Arnold
- Date of issue: March 25, 2021
- Publisher:No Starch Press,US
“Metasploit: The Penetration Tester's Guide”
- Author: David Kennedy, Jim O'Gorman, Devon Kearns and Mati Aharoni
- Date of issue: July 15, 2011
- Publisher:No Starch Press,US
“Social Engineering: The Science of Human Hacking”
- Writer:Christopher Hadnagy
- Date of issue: September 7, 2018
- Publisher:John Wiley & Sons Inc.
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- What is a Black Hat Hacker?A black hat hacker is a hacker who uses computer skills to infiltrate or damage computer systems for illegal or malicious purposes. This term is often used in the computer security community to describe a form of illegal and unethical behavior, as opposed to legal and ethical uses such as ethical hacking and penetration testing. Black hat hackers engage in computer hacking activities, gaining unauthorized access to target systems and stealing, changing or destroying data in systems. They can also cause serious damage to systems by spreading malicious software such as computer viruses, worms and trojans. Black hat hackers generally work to gain profit through illegal means, to spy, to manipulate or harm targets. Therefore, black hat hackers are considered crimes under the laws of many countries and can have serious legal consequences.
- What is a White Hat Hacker?A white hat hacker is a computer expert who uses computer skills to increase the security of computer systems. This term is often used in the computer security community to describe legal and ethical uses such as ethical hacking and penetration testing. White hat hackers work to detect and solve problems related to the security of computer systems. For this purpose, ethical hackers identify vulnerabilities by voluntarily attacking computer systems and offer suggestions on how to solve these vulnerabilities. Additionally, white hat hackers test computer networks and software to detect and close security vulnerabilities. White hat hackers are computer security professionals who are often hired to perform penetration tests or protect against hackers because they work through legal and ethical means. White hat hackers may be employed by a variety of institutions, such as businesses, government agencies, or non-governmental organizations, and provide consulting or training on the security of computer systems.
- What do you need to know to become a hacker?Computer skills: Understanding computer systems, having knowledge of cyber security issues and mastering programming languages are important requirements to become a hacker. Learning and research: Mastering new technologies and security measures in the industry shows that those who want to become hackers must be constantly open to learning and research. Ethical and legal limits: To become a hacker, it is important to be aware of legal and ethical limits. Infiltrating or damaging systems through illegal or unethical means is a crime and can have serious legal consequences. Communication skills: To become a hacker, it is also important to have good communication skills, considering that ethical hackers often work in a team. Certifications: Certifications can help document your knowledge and skills in cybersecurity and can be a valuable reference for employers.
- What is a cyber security vulnerability?Cybersecurity vulnerability is a weakness or vulnerability in security measures in information systems. This may create an opportunity for malicious individuals to enter the computer system and perform unwanted operations. Cybersecurity vulnerabilities can arise from many factors. These factors may include software bugs, inadequate security measures, technical malfunctions, human error, weaknesses in system design, security deficiencies or misconfiguration. Cyber security vulnerabilities can cause cyber attacks to be successful. These attacks can be carried out through emails containing various malware or spyware, misleading websites, malicious ads, open WiFi connections, social media accounts and many other channels. Cyber security vulnerabilities are often discovered and reported by cyber security experts. These vulnerabilities can be fixed with software updates or patches, or prevented by implementing stronger security measures. However, discovering and fixing vulnerabilities requires a process, and systems may remain vulnerable in this process. Therefore, it is important to minimize cyber security vulnerabilities, keep systems up to date and constantly check security measures.
- What are website security vulnerabilities and how to close them?Website vulnerabilities can arise for a variety of reasons and occur in many different ways.SQL Injection: SQL injection is an attack that allows malicious actors to access the website, database and modify site content or data.XSS (Cross-Site Scripting): An XSS attack is an attack that allows malicious actors to exploit vulnerabilities in websites to execute malicious code while users are accessing the website.DDoS Attacks: DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks are a type of attack that sends thousands of requests to the website at the same time, causing the server to crash. To prevent such vulnerabilities, you can follow these steps:
- Regularly scanning the website for vulnerabilities and installing updates.
- Control network traffic by using a firewall on your system.
- Creating strong password policies and requiring users to use strong passwords.
- Validating data on web pages and protecting users' login information to prevent XSS attacks.
- To prevent SQL injections, using parameters in database operations and querying SQL codes.
- To take precautions against DDoS attacks, monitor network resources and high-traffic situations and use defense systems against such attacks.
- What is penetration testing and is it necessary for businesses?Penetration testing is a controlled attack to test the security of a system or network. In this testing, an expert acting as an attacker tests existing security measures, detects vulnerabilities in the system and reports them. These tests help businesses prepare against cyber attacks and protect their critical assets. Penetration testing is very important for businesses. Businesses should undergo penetration testing to identify security vulnerabilities, close these vulnerabilities, and develop defense strategies against cyber attacks. In addition to detecting cybersecurity vulnerabilities, these tests are also necessary to ensure the security of customer data, ensure legal compliance, and maintain business continuity. Additionally, penetration testing helps businesses maintain compliance with industry standards and helps them protect the security of their customers. Because customers want businesses to care about security and to make sure their data is safe.
- Can services be obtained to close cyber security vulnerabilities?Getting services to close cyber security vulnerabilities makes businesses safer against cyber attacks. These services typically include services such as network security, application security, data security, and physical security. It is important for businesses to identify vulnerabilities, reduce risks and ensure they are better prepared against attacks. However, when receiving services to close the cyber security vulnerabilities of businesses, it is important to choose a company that is reliable and provides quality service. Businesses should choose a reliable cyber security company by considering references and customer satisfaction. Getting services to close cyber security vulnerabilities is important for businesses to detect and prevent security vulnerabilities. InfinitumIT As, we provide selfless and professional service in order to ensure and increase the security of our customers.
- What are the legal penalties for hacking?Hacking refers to illegal activities such as gaining unauthorized access to or manipulating a computer system. Therefore, hacking is considered a serious crime and is punishable by law. The crime of hacking can be defined by different legal regulations that vary from country to country, and the penalties vary according to these legal regulations. Generally, those who commit hacking may be subject to the following penalties:
- Imprisonment: Those who commit hacking crimes may receive a prison sentence. The length of a prison sentence may vary from country to country. However, serious hacking crimes can result in long prison sentences.
- Fine: The amount of the fine may vary depending on the seriousness of the hacking crime and the legal regulations of the country.
- Civil damages: The crime of hacking may result in harm to another person or business. In this case, those who committed the hacking crime may have to pay compensation to the injured person or business.
- Suspension: Refers to restricting a person's access to computer systems or networks.
- Loss of social or professional reputation: This can cause difficulties in finding a job or building a career.