Definition hacker
A hacker is a highly qualified power user who accesses servers, websites, networks or even PCs without authorization. The data stored on it is saved, deleted or edited. Such hackers have been around for as long as the Internet has existed. Despite the high illegality of such hacker attacks, the entire development of the technology is driven by hackers.
What exactly is a hacker?
Hackers are technically highly skilled people in the hardware and software environment. They search for and find vulnerabilities in systems in order to draw attention to them or use them for specific purposes such as unauthorized intrusion or to change functions. The aim of a hacker is to get into systems, influence the functions, steal data or manipulate it.
In principle, there is no restriction on what kind of devices hackers manipulate. Hackers in the hardware environment try to change the functions by modifying devices or adding components.
Hackers in the hardware environment often see their activities as a challenge and hacking is a kind of hobby to overcome the limits of the devices. In the case of IT products with programmable components, for example, the boundaries between hardware and software hackers can easily be confused.
Hackers in the software environment (Internet) do not manipulate hardware, they try to gain access to systems. Access can be via networks or interfaces, for example.
Known or self-discovered vulnerabilities or programming errors are used to gain access to the systems. Once the hackers have gained access to a system, they have the possibility of accessing databases, executing protected functions or influencing data.
Hacker techniques:
- Backdoors
- Trojan horses
- Rootkits
- Exploits
- Keylogger
- Viruses
- Worms
- Memory overflows
- etc.
Hacker types
Three types of hackers can be distinguished depending on their motivation and compliance with the law.
- White-hat hackers (ethical hackers) operate within the law and pursue their goals in compliance with hacker ethics. They inform the affected companies about the vulnerabilities discovered in the computer networks and computers. Their aim is to find weak points, uncover them and eliminate them by providing information.
- Grey-hat hackers operate in a legal gray area. They interpret hacker ethics in their favor. They also try to find and uncover weaknesses, but exert pressure on companies by publishing them. It is difficult to distinguish between good and bad, which makes it almost impossible to deny weaknesses or serves to increase one’s own popularity and success.
- Black-hat hackers are triggered by criminal energy and operate underground. Their aim is to influence the functions of systems or to commit data theft or manipulate them by unauthorized intrusion. The dissemination of discovered vulnerabilities to other criminal organizations is a standard procedure for black hats.
Script Kiddy
A “script kiddy” is a young person who has no knowledge of system design or programming. They still call themselves hackers because they download certain hacker programs and can therefore also launch a weakened hacker attack.
However, this has little or nothing to do with a “real” hacker. Script kiddies merely operate a program, whereas a hacker is an absolute professional in the field of programming. Such hackers are incredibly intelligent, as they must possess vast amounts of knowledge. Otherwise it would be easy to track down hackers. After all, hacking a network or PC also involves covering your tracks so that you are not discovered afterwards.
