{"id":526,"date":"2023-04-12T07:45:07","date_gmt":"2023-04-12T07:45:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dataprot.net\/?p=526"},"modified":"2023-07-14T07:23:31","modified_gmt":"2023-07-14T07:23:31","slug":"white-hat-hacker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dataprot.net\/articles\/white-hat-hacker\/","title":{"rendered":"White Hat Hacker: The Benevolent Cybersecurity Wizard"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Department of Justice has revised its policy towards violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and will no longer be prosecuting ethical hackers<\/strong>. So, who are these heroes of the hacking world?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A white hat hacker is a cybersecurity professional who uses his skills to identify vulnerabilities in software, hardware, and networks<\/strong>. They enable companies or product owners to fix the flaws before they can be exploited by malicious actors. Read on to find out more about these security researchers and if you have the talent to become one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ethical Hacking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experts in this type of hacking disclose all the security vulnerabilities they identify in order to help organizations fix them before bad actors can cause any damage<\/strong>. White hat hackers use their skills to enhance the security of systems, shield them from malicious software, and make the internet a safer place.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are often independent researchers or employed by cyber security firms. Many have a strong background in programming and computer science. These hackers are also known as ethical hackers or penetration testers<\/strong>. In other words, they attack a computer system or network in order to find security vulnerabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A white hat hacker, by definition, seeks out these vulnerabilities when they are legally permitted to do so. By finding and reporting weaknesses, these hackers help organizations fortify their defenses and protect their data<\/strong>. Many of the world’s leading security experts began their careers as ethical hackers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several well-known companies, including Google and Microsoft, run bug bounty programs that invite ethical hackers to try and find security vulnerabilities in their computer systems. In return for their efforts, these hackers are rewarded with cash prizes or other incentives. While a white hat hacker\u2019s job falls within legitimate security practices, it should only be carried out with the permission of the system owner<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Facing the Dark Opposite<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Of course, to define a white hat hacker as the good guy, we also need to have a bad guy. Enter black hat hackers<\/strong>. These are the hackers who use their skills to exploit weaknesses, destroy data, and steal data for personal gain<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the tools they use is ransomware, which involves blocking access to user data until a ransom is paid.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whatever their motivation, these malicious hackers pose a serious threat to individuals, businesses, and governments<\/strong>. While ethical hacking is a valuable security practice, black hat hacking is illegal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, black hat hackers also perform a valuable service in some ways. Their evolving techniques are constantly pushing the average white hat or ethical hacker to do better. Also, some of the best ethical hackers started out as notorious black hat hackers<\/strong>. Many of these individuals were eventually caught and rehabilitated and now use their skills to help organizations improve their security. One notable example is Kevin Mitnick, who is now an ethical hacker and well-respected security consultant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pushing the Limits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let’s take a closer look at how these hackers operate. We\u2019ve already covered the general definition of a white hat hacker. In short, these hackers tend to employ the same cyberattack methods that malicious hackers use to stress-test the network or find app vulnerabilities<\/strong>. Ethical hackers use advanced and custom-made rootkits to conduct various tests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depending on the contract they have with their employers and companies, white hat hackers can attack and test specific data systems, such as the client’s networks, endpoints, or apps. Or they have the authority to run broader attacks that can include multiple systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Different types of ethical hacking include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n