From smart homes to NFTs, to digital currency, and other conveniences, the world we live in today would not be the same without the internet. However, the digital comfort also attracts different types of hackers looking to invade our data privacy. Although they have spent years perfecting their hacking methods, we have just as much time to learn how to protect ourselves. Today, we will talk about different types of hackers, their motivations, goals as well as protection tips that will help keep your devices, privacy, and identities safe from online threats.
Get to Know 15 Types of Hackers
1. Black Hat Hackers
They are also known as criminal hackers. You could view them as one type of cybercrimes. They work tirelessly to break into personal devices and networks to search for sensitive data they can steal and make a profit from. These cybercriminals are experts at using deceptive cyberattacks, such as ransomware, spyware, and others, to obtain the information they are after.
For example, a popular NBA team, Houston Rockets, fell victim to a cyberattack [CS5] in early 2021. Black hat hackers used ransomware to compromise valuable information on contracts, non-disclosure agreements, and sensitive financial documents. They blackmail the team by threatening to release these documents.
- Motivation + goals: steal personal information to use and/or sell for profits.
- Potential targets: everyday users and businesses.
2. White Hat Hackers
White hat hackers have similar skills as black hat counterparts. But the main difference is their intentions and motivations. White hat hackers break into systems to identify security flaws to help keep governments, businesses, and everyday users safe from cyberattacks.
For example, a business may experience frustrating network issues, such as system crashes or reduced speed. Instead of upgrading the entire network, companies could hire a white hat hacker to probe for possible vulnerabilities that could cause these issues.
- Motivation + goals: pinpoint security flaws which could be exploited by malicious hackers.
- Potential targets: black hat hackers
3. Red Hat Hackers
‘Robin Hood of hacking’ is another name for red hat hackers. They are similar to white hat counterparts. But, instead of waiting for businesses or governments to hire them to identify flaws and stop black hat hackers, they do not do it for money. These dark web wizards give what was stolen to those in need.
Black hat hackers constantly come up with new ways to exploit systems. Thus, red hat hackers also tirelessly sharpen their skills and techniques. Their targets could be any operating systems, but their specialty is Linux. DDoS attacks are usual black hat’s tools. Red hat hackers could employ similar tactics to disarm and stop black hat hackers from attacking.
- Motivation + goal: to stop black hat hackers and protect systems and information they hack. Many red hat hackers consider themselves vigilantes.
- Potential targets: black hat hackers
4. Gray Hat Hackers
Gray hat hackers think of hacking as a hobby. They do it ‘just for fun’. They enjoy finding holes in security networks, and might even let the networks know what they find. Nonetheless, some still find this type of hacker frustrating because they hack into private networks without permission.
There is a report from 2018 stating that Russian-speaking gray hat hackers broke into more than 100,000 private routers. Although many believed their intentions were malicious, they later found that the hackers were just fixing security issues that would protect people from black hat hackers, cryptojackers, and other types of hackers and cyberthreats.
- Motivation + goal: hack into private networks to identify vulnerabilities and/or prevent cyberthreats.
- Potential targets: everyday users and businesses.
5. Green Hat Hackers
Green hat hackers are those training. Although they are not as experienced with online scamming like black hat hackers, green hat hackers commit themselves to honing their skills so they can fill their shoes one day. Once they find hackers they can learn from, green hat hackers will dedicate the time to become full-fledged hackers.
- Motivation + goal: find hackers they can learn from so they can become black hat hackers later.
- Potential targets: everyday users and businesses.
6. Blue Hat Hackers
Blue hat hackers are similar to white hat hackers. But, instead of breaking into systems or software used by businesses, businesses give blue hat hackers access beforehand to test them for vulnerabilities. That way, organisations can lower potential risks before deciding to update systems.
For example, if there is a new file-sharing system the company wants to implement, the last thing they wish for would be having hackers easily break in and compromise their confidential information. Thus, they contract hackers to test the system before making a final decision. If it proves to be sufficiently protected, the software is ready for rollout.
- Motivation + goal: probe software for its security flaws before companies implement it.
- Potential targets: black hat hackers
7. Script Kiddies
Script kiddies are similar to green hat hackers, but the motivation is different. They also do not possess the same skills as black hat hackers either, so they usually copy existing malware created by more experienced hackers instead of learning how to create their own.
A famous incident occurred in Ireland in 2015. Police arrested a 15-year-old for accessing a company’s private network without permission. Officials believed the teenager violated the UK’s Computer Misuse Act by holding private documents for ransom and using other types of malware to exploit sensitive documents.
- Motivation + goal: Use existing malware to break into personal devices and make a profit from the stolen information
- Potential targets: everyday users and businesses.
8. Elite Hackers
Elite hackers are champions of modern-day hacking. Their years of experience label them as the most skilled in their field. They can choose to wear black or white hats. And because their skills let them do things easily, they are the first ones to identify and/or create the newest cyberattack methods that threaten your cybersecurity.
A noteworthy example is when elite hackers tried to hack into the World Health Organization (WHO) to gather information on the coronavirus in 2020. Although the attempts failed, the cyberattack highlighted the true danger of phishing emails that was used to steal passwords and login credentials.
- Motivation + goal: steal sensitive information and compromise complex networks to make a profit or to fix mistakes of organisations.
- Potential targets: everyday users and businesses.
9. Gaming Hackers
As the name suggests, gaming hackers target video game enthusiasts. They are known for using the latest video game trends to manipulate online players into compromising login credentials, payment information, and other personal details attached to their accounts.
One of the most infamous video game hacks occurred in 2021. Electronic Arts reported falling victim to a cyberattack compromising more than 780 GB of gaming source code. Luckily, the company kept personal information of online players protected.
- Motivation + goal: trick gamers into revealing sensitive information to make a profit from the stolen information
- Potential targets: online gamers
10. Botnet Hackers
The words ‘robot’ and ‘network’ combine to make the word ‘botnet’. It means a network of devices infected by malware. Each machine is called ‘bot’. Hackers/cybercriminals known as ‘bot-herders’ remotely control the bots. Another name for bot is zombie. Botnets are called zombie armies.
Botnet hackers live up to the name. They use botnets to carry out cyberattacks using coded malware. Malicious tasks range from stealing sensitive files to taking complete control over computers.
People witnessed the true danger of botnet attacks when Cloudflare, a major network company, became a target of DDoS attack that used botnets to spread a virus throughout their private network. According to the company, hackers used approximately 20,000 botnets to overwhelm their systems with over 330 million attack requests.
- Motivation + goal: infect devices with botnets to steal and/or compromise sensitive information to use and/or sell on the dark web
- Potential targets: everyday users and businesses.
11. Cryptojackers
Cryptojackers take advantage of cryptocurrency market’s novelty to carry out scams. There are illegal requests for cryptocurrency payments in exchange for illegitimate goods, services, or investments.
A horrifying example is the Onecoin ponzi scheme, which resulted in more than 1 billion dollars in stolen funds from unsuspecting investors. The cryptojackers used their cunning personalities to convince people to invest in cryptocurrency that does not exist. Then, they used the money to do as they pleased.
- Motivation + goal: steal from cryptocurrency owners and/or compromise digital wallet credentials
- Potential targets: cryptocurrency enthusiasts
12. Whistleblowers
Whistle-blowers are hackers who shine the light on corporate criminal activities, especially the companies they work for. These hackers may not have be much experienced, but they use what they know to expose crime which directly impact innocent people.
One of the most infamous cases was when two employees worked with the government to expose Glaxo, a pharmaceutical company taking part in fraudulent schemes to push drugs for unapproved uses. Their work is one of the most memorable to date. Each of the two whistle-blowers won nearly 3 billion dollars.
- Motivation + goal: expose or exploit confidential information tied to corporate crime
- Potential targets: untrustworthy businesses or individuals
13. State / Nation Sponsored Hackers
State- or nation-sponsored hackers could be called James Bonds of the hacking community. Government agencies hire these individuals to gain confidential data on other foreign nations to help them manage potential and existing threats.
Cozy Bear is a nation-sponsored hacking group known for accusations of meddling in America’s 2016 presidential election.
- Motivation + goal: hack into private international networks under government orders.
- Potential targets: international government agencies
14. Cyberterrorists
Cyberterrorists are politically motivated. They use their hacking expertise to disrupt information systems. These disruptions could then threaten the physical safety of people, and even lead to the loss of lives and properties.
A real-life example occurred in 2010. Human rights activists in China and Tibet had their e-mail accounts hacked. The cyberterrorists did everything to gain the key to plans of activists.
- Hacker motivation + goal: employ malicious cyberattacks to bring attention to political causes.
- Potential victims: everyday users and nations
15. Malicious Insiders
Malicious insiders are not about honesty and justice like whistle-blowers. They intentionally break into their company networks to exploit confidential information that could put the company and its customers at risk. They do not do this for people who are wronged. The information they expose put money in their own pocket if they find the right interested parties.
This might occur when employees receive tempting offers to steal private corporate files in exchange for payments. The second the employees access the network with the intention of siphoning private data, they immediately become malicious insiders.
- Hacker motivation + goal: expose and/or exploit sensitive company information for personal gain.
- Potential victims: Business corporations
Hacking Protection Tips
We learn that not all hackers are friends. These hacking protection tips could come in handy.
1. Keep personal information safe Black hat hackers, elite hackers, and script kiddies are just different types of hackers that go after personal information for their malicious plans. However, you can make it harder for them by never including personal identifiable information, such as addresses or phone numbers, on online profiles. If you need to send sensitive information via e-mails or other online methods, ensure you know who are is granted permissions to access it.
2. Avoid public Wi-Fi Green hat hackers use unprotected public Wi-Fi networks to infect devices with different types of malware. When you are outside, use only secure internet connections because they are harder for hackers to breach. Look for ‘https’ in URLs and security badges. They are great indicators that websites you are visiting are secure and trustworthy.
3. Consider using a VPN Consider using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to keep your online activities encrypted. Without the ability to track your IP addresses and browsing history, it is harder for hackers to use things like adware and spyware against you.
4. Use secure passwords Passwords are the first line of defence against cyberattacks like password spraying and credential stuffing which are often carried out by black hat, green hat, and gaming hackers. It is important to use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols in your passwords. You could even try password managers that will organise and generate secure passwords for you.
5. Beware of suspicious links and attachments Phishing e-mails embedded with infected links and attachments are common amongst all malicious hackers. Pay attention to slight URL differences in frequently visited websites and/or downloadable files from unknown senders.
6. Practice mobile device security Your cybersecurity includes both your personal computers and mobile devices. Avoid compromising private contact information, messages, and photos stored on your phones and tablets by:
- Setting security PINS
- Updating operating systems
- Downloading apps from legitimate sources
- Enabling Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication, also known as multifactor authentication, adds an extra layer of security to your login processes. Biometric technology secures your accounts with fingerprint and facial recognition technology to verify your identity and stop hackers in their tracks.
7. Remember to install security updates Hackers work effortlessly to spot vulnerabilities and zero-day exploits they can use as their gateways into your systems. To avoid this, it is important to ensure you keep up with updates on your device’s operating systems. This can help reduce the chance of hackers using exploits to catch you off guard.
8. Download antivirus software You could think of antivirus software as your guard dog protecting you from different types of hackers who are after your devices and data. With 24/7 protection, hackers must try harder to get their hands on your information. Although there are many different types of hackers and emerging threats, you now know about them and how you can protect yourself. So, go forth with confidence that you have what it takes to keep yourself and your devices secure in cyberspace.
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