Let’s see
the categories of Hackers on the basis on their knowledge.
Coders
The Real Hackers are the Coders, the ones who revise the methods
and create tools that are available in the market. Coders can find security
holes and weaknesses in software to create their own exploits. These Hackers
can use those exploits to develop fully patched and secure systems.
Coders are the programmers who have the ability to find the unique
vulnerability in existing software and to create working exploit codes. These
are the individuals with a deep understanding of the OSI Layer Model and TCP/IP
Stacks.
Admins
Admins are the computer guys who use the tools and exploits
prepared by the coders. They do not develop their own techniques, however they
uses the tricks which are already prepared by the coders. They are generally
System Administration, or Computer Network Controller. Most of the Hackers and
security person in this digital world come under this category.
Admins have experience with several operating systems, and know
how to exploit several existing vulnerabilities. A majority of Security
Consultants fall in this group and work as a part of Security Team.
Script Kiddies
Next and the most dangerous class of Hackers is Script kiddies,
They are the new generation of users of computer who take advantage of the
Hacker tools and documentation available for free on the Internet but don’t
have any knowledge of what’s going on behind the scenes. They know just enough
to cause you headaches but typically are very sloppy in their actions, leaving
all sorts of digital fingerprints behind. Even though these guys are the
teenage Hackers that you hear about in the news media, they need minimum skills
to carry out their attacks.
Script Kiddies are the bunnies who use script and programs
developed by others to attack computer systems and Networks. They get the least
respect but are most annoying and dangerous and can cause big problems without
actually knowing what they are doing.
Types of
Hackers on the basis of activities performed by them.
White Hat
Hacker
A White Hat Hacker is computer guy who perform Ethical Hacking.
These are usually security professionals with knowledge of hacking and the
Hacker toolset and who use this knowledge to locate security weaknesses and
implement counter measures in the resources.
They are also known as an Ethical Hacker or a Penetration Tester.
They focus on Securing and Protecting IT Systems.
Black Hat Hacker
A Black Hat Hacker is computer guy who performs Unethical Hacking.
These are the Criminal Hackers or Crackers who use their skills and knowledge
for illegal or malicious purposes. They break into or otherwise violate the
system integrity of remote machines, with malicious intent.
These are also known as an Unethical Hacker or a Security Cracker.
They focus on Security Cracking and Data stealing.
Grey Hat Hacker
A Grey Hat Hacker is a Computer guy who sometimes acts legally,
sometimes in good will, and sometimes not. They usually do not hack for
personal gain or have malicious intentions, but may or may not occasionally
commit crimes during the course of their technological exploits.
They are hybrid between White Hat and Black Hat Hackers.
Ethical
Hacking
Ethical Hacking is testing the resources for a good cause and for
the betterment of technology. Technically Ethical Hacking means penetration
testing which is focused on Securing and Protecting IT Systems.
Hactivism
Another type of Hackers are Hacktivists, who try to broadcast
political or social messages through their work. A Hacktivist wants to raise
public awareness of an issue. Examples of hacktivism are the Web sites that
were defaced with the Jihad messages in the name of Terrorism.
Cyber
Terrorist
There are Hackers who are called Cyber Terrorists, who attack
government computers or public utility infrastructures, such as power stations
and air-traffic-control towers. They crash critical systems or steal classified
government information. While in a conflict with enemy countries some
government start Cyber war via Internet.
