Definition of Hacking, Types of Computer Hackers and Methods of Protection

Introduction

In the digital age cyber security is perhaps the most important form of security with which individuals must be concerned. Banks, schools, hospitals, businesses, governments and virtually every other modern institution you can think of stores and organizes its information electronically. It is important that these organizations, in particularly each one of us to obtain information the safest and effective way.

Nowadays, experts have suggested that the economic losses resulting from mal-intended computer hacking, or cracking, have been conservatively estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars per annum (Morris, 2011). Hacking can also refer to non-malicious activities, usually involving unusual or improvised alterations to equipment or processes.

What is Hacking

Hacking is identifying weakness in computer systems or networks to exploit its weaknesses to gain access. Hacking is the process of gaining unauthorized access into a computer system, or group of computer systems. This is done through cracking of passwords and codes which gives access to the systems. Cracking is the term which specifies the method by which the password or code is obtained. The person who undertakes hacking is known as the hacker. Certain corporations also employ hackers as part of their maintenance staff. These legitimate hackers use their skills to find flaws in the company security system, thus preventing identity theft and other computer-related crimes (Dale, 2019).

Types of hackers

Hackers can be anyone, they can be individuals like you or me. It is necessary to know what types of hackers are there in the cyber section so as to differentiate between the roles and objectives.

Cracker (Black hat)

These types of hackers gain unauthorized access to computer systems for personal gain. The black- hat hacker does not have any permission or authority to negotiate their targets. They often do this to steal or gain access to passwords, financial information and other personal data.

Ethical hacker (White hat)

White-hat hackers are deemed to be the good guys, working with organizations to strengthen the security of a system. They have permission to engage the targets and to compromise them within the prescribed rules of engagement. White-hat hackers helps reveal every vulnerability they find in the company’s security system so that it can be fixed before they are being exploited by malicious actors.

Grey hat hacker

Grey hats use networks and computer systems in the way that black hats do, but do so without any malicious intent, disclosing all loopholes and vulnerabilities to law enforcement agencies or intelligence agencies (Reading, 2018).

Common hacking techniques

• Vulnerability scanner: they check computers on networks for known weaknesses.
• Phishing attacks: they mostly contacted by email, telephone or text message by someone posing as a legitimate institution to lure individuals into providing sensitive data such as personally identifiable information, banking and credit card details, and passwords.
• Password cracking: it is the process of recovering passwords from data stored or transmitted by computer systems.
• Spoofing attack: involves websites which falsify data by mimicking legitimate sites, and they are therefore treated as trusted sites by users or other programs.
• Root kit: represents a set of programs which work to subvert control of an operating system from legitimate operators
• Trojan horse: serves as a back door in a computer system to allow an intruder to gain access to the system later
• Viruses: self-replicating programs that spread by inserting copies of themselves into other executable code files or documents
• Key loggers: tools designed to record every keystroke on the affected machine for later retrieval.
• Physical access: If a cyber-criminal has physical access to your devices, having a great password or the best Anti- virus protection software would not be much of a help.

Prevention against hackers

Since hacking is a persistent threat affecting the very security of a nation and its citizens it is vital to put safeguards at the right time and at all levels to blockade this malicious threat.

Protect yourself against Phishing attacks

It is important to think before you click as nobody will ever email you randomly offering you money, gift cards, iPhones, puppies etc. unless they are trying to scam you. Thereby (Stephens, 2018) highlighted to never send your passwords or personal details via email to anyone.

Making your password strong

Nowadays most people intent to reuse the same password for multiple services so that it is easy to remember, but this is not a safe way. To be protected from password reuse attacks, you need to use a unique password for every service. Also, one other helpful way to make your password strong is by using a multi-factor authentication. This will send you a text, or pop up a notification on your phone to ask whether it is a legitimate login attempt.

Protecting yourself against ransomware and other nasty viruses

Do the popups on your PC asking you to update/restart now bothers you? They are not just a built-in feature there to bother you, they actually go a long way to protecting you. Installing anti-virus software offers an extra protection. Thereby before putting any data into your computer make sure you know what it is and to scan it using the appropriated anti-virus software.

Protecting against Physical access attacks

You can mostly protect yourself by treating electronic devices as if they were wallet full of cash. When travelling, particularly if you are staying in a hotel it is important to keep your devices all time with you and to keep them under lock and key.

Conclusion

Earlier hackers were considered to be genius because they helped in many ways in the development of computers and internet technology as such, but in this modern world where personal benefit has played a major importance in one’s life, people are often attracted to things they can do and gain through illegal entry into people privacy and using for their own benefits. Legitimate hackers use their skills to find flaws in the company security system, thus preventing identity theft and other computer-related crimes.