Network Kings

Hackers: How many types are there?

types of hackers

Hacking has been gaining pace like never before. We hear about social media, bank accounts etc being hacked frequently now. This news is now a common problem. We are all aware of what hacking is. 

For those of you who don’t here it is:
Hacking is defined as the practice of gaining unauthorised access to data, a computer or a system of any kind.

This practice is carried out by experts in the field, based on whether it is ethical or unethical hacking. These experts are referred to as hackers, indeed a very suggestive name.
In this blog, we shall read more about the various types of hackers, based on their line of action.  

Few facts about hacking that are bound to shock you: 

  1. 43% of hackers target smaller businesses
  2. A hacker attack happens every 39 seconds (approx)
  3. The total number of connected IoT devices will have reached 75 billion by 2025

Types of Hackers :

Different types of hackers

There are many types of hackers. We shall have a look at all and try to understand the difference between them. The types are as follows: 

  • White Hat or The ethical hackers.
  • Black Hat Hackers
  • Gray Hackers 
  • Script Kiddies
  • Green Hat Hackers
  • Blue Hat Hackers 
  • Red Hat Hackers 
  • State/Nation Sponsored Hackers. 

 

Understanding each in Detail:

We shall now focus on each one of the hacker types. 

1. White Hat Hackers or The ethical Hackers: 

White Hackers or ethical hackers are the ones who log into the system to test or evaluate its security and do not have a malicious intention rather they are focused on helping the organisation or a said enterprise in bettering its security measures. 

For instance, many enterprises hire ethical hackers to keep a check on the security of their in-house systems.  They are always handsomely paid and have bright aspects for jobs always, be it freelancing as well. 

2. Black Hat Hackers: 

Black Hat Hackers is used to defining people who practice hacking to break into computer networks with malicious intent, they are mostly criminals. They may also release malware that works to destroy files, they hold computers hostage. They steal passwords, credit card numbers and other personal information as well. The damage this can cause is immense, often the damage is such that it can not be combated. 

One instance of Balck Hat Hackers is anti-national data breaches that happen so as to seek data of importance to harm the country and put a nation’s security at stake as well.

3. Gray Hat Hackers: 

Gray hat hacker is a term used to refer to individuals, who perform both a mix of black Hat Activities and White Hat Activities. Hence called Gray Hat. They generally hack a system, without the permission of the owner,  learn of the vulnerabilities in that system and tell the owner. They often ask for a price to fix the issue they find in the system.
This isn’t considered criminal activity but it isn’t completely ethical as well. 

4. Script Kiddies: 

They are also amateur hackers, this comes across as a derogatory term, coined by other hackers, who have expertise in this. People who hack into computers or systems but they do not have their own scripts or codes rather they use already existing scripts and codes. 

5. Green Hat Hackers : 

A green hat hacker is an amateur or a newbie in the world of hacking. As to say the green hackers may not be well versed or even be familiar with all the security mechanisms of the company or the ones being used by an individual. They may or may not be well versed with the inner workings of the web, like other categories of hackers. 

6. Blue Hat Hackers: 

This term, Blue Hat Hacker is used to refer to individuals outside computer security consulting firms that are employed to bug test a  system prior to its launch, trying to look for exploits so that they can be shut down. 

7. Red Hat Hackers: 

Red Hat Hacker is a term used when referring to hackers who target Linux Systems. They are categorised as vigilantes. Similar to white hats, red hats also seek to disarm black hats, although the methodologies of these two groups vary largely and quite significantly. 

8. State/Nation Sponsored Hackers: 

The Nation/State sponsored Hackers are hackers who have a “Licence to Hack”. They are employed by the government, they work for the government to disrupt or compromise target governments, organisations or be it, or individuals, in order to gain access to data of value and paramount importance, or intelligence that is potent in creating incidents that have international significance.

Scope of Hacking:

Definition and exploration of ethical hacking and its various types of hackers.

Having discussed the types of hackers in the business let’s now have a look at the scope of this profession.
The scope is pretty wild, be it ethical or unethical. Although morally it’s not correct to be in the field of unethical hacking. For starters it’s looked down upon, as in this line of work, the sole aim is to harm or damage someone. Be it someone’s reputation or causing financial losses to the other party.


When it comes to the field of Ethical Hacking, the scope keeps on getting progressively wider. Ethical hackers are in huge demand as the protection of data is very important and this is facilitated by the means of Ethical Hacking.


Ethical Hackers are paid very handsomely as this profession is highly revered. Individuals tend to take care of the security of a given organisation, enterprise and even to the government as well. Hence choosing this line of profession is a smart choice and it is one that will ensure a good source of income. 

Courses for learning Hacking:

Courses for learning different types of hackers.

There are courses available for becoming an ethical hacker, see how it’s clearly mentioned ethical hacking courses because the scope, future and growth lies in ethical hacking only. The other forms of hacking are clearly described as criminal activities. Hence to learn, how to build a career in ethical hacking, there are courses like the following:

  1. CEH: Certified Ethical Hacker
  2. CEH master (Practical) 
  3. CHFI: Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator 
  4. CSA: Certified SOC Analyst.
  5. CPENT: Certified Penetration Testing Professional.
  6. C|CSE: Certified Cloud Security Engineer
  7. CND: Certified Network Defender 
  8. CTIA: Certified Threat Intelligence Analyst. 

Longevity of Hacking as a Profession :

The profession as its scope suggests is going to be around for a good long time. With the rise of newer technologies and newer data’s emergence, the security of Data is also becoming a matter of concern. This security to systems, data etc is of paramount importance. This security is taken care of by the professionals who we know as ethical hackers. 

FAQs

1. What do Hackers target most?

Hackers mainly target banks and hotels for money by blackmailing and stealing data.

2. Why do Hackers hack?

Hackers hack for different reasons. A few reasons are as follows: Curiosity, Ransom, Revenge, Blackmail, Boredom, etc.

3. How do Hackers hack?

Hackers look for vulnerabilities in our networks and devices, and via those loopholes, they either transmit viruses or penetrate directly and contaminate our system.

4. Is Hacking a crime?

Yes, hacking is a crime in India. If it is not ethical hacking, it is a heinous crime, and the culprit can get imprisoned for years.

5. What are the types of Hackers?

There are, in total, six kinds of Hackers in IT. Each type of hacker plays a specific role.

6. Can my phone get hacked?

Yes, your mobile phone can get hacked. Nothing like complete security exists. The hacker can even access your mobile phone's camera and microphone.

7. Is my network secure after applying a password?

Even after setting a password or activating 2FA still can not ensure the complete security of your mobile phone.

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