What is a White Hat Hacker?
A white-hat hacker refers to a computer security expert or ethical computer professional who uses white-hat methods instead of black-hat. White-hat hackers, also known as ethical hackers, are computer security professionals who use white-hat techniques to identify security flaws and vulnerabilities in computer systems and report them to the appropriate parties. Black-hat hackers, also known as “cheating” hackers, write malicious programs to infiltrate and attack the computer systems of unsuspecting victims. Black-hat hackers do not usually make ethical computer professionals.
What are white-hat hackers? A white-hat hacker could also be called a defender or infiltrator. They are known as “cybersecurity specialists” in cyberspace. This is because they work to protect and prevent the use of malicious software such as viruses and malware that have become so common in today’s Internet environment. They can work in customer service roles with Internet Service Providers (ISP) or high-ranking hacker positions with government agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security or the United States Military.
One famous example of a white-hat hacker is a technician or developer at an Internet Service Provider like a cable company whose job is to stop cyberattacks from causing severe damage. The attacker will have been in trouble if they can successfully hack into a system. A white-hat hacker can usually get into a system by tricking the target computer into downloading something from the Internet. A Trojan, a program or tool that looks harmless, can be installed on a target computer by hackers. This Trojan will allow the hacker access to the internal workings of the target computer.
On the other hand, a black hat hacker is someone who belongs to a group that doesn’t steal confidential information like a cybercriminal. Instead, they work for malicious purposes only, such as spamming and phishing. A group that specializes in hacking into corporate systems to gain financial information is one example of a black-hat hacker.
There are many distinctions between a black-hat hacker or a white-hat hacker. A black hat hacker may use unethical means to gain unauthorized entry into a system. This is very different from using legitimate computer professionals to ensure that the system runs appropriately. Although these terms are often viewed as being opposites, they can be very similar. An ethical hacker may examine a system to see if it functions correctly and report any problems to the appropriate authorities. A black hat hacker might attack a plan to discover what security systems are in place and what information can be stolen.
Companies, government agencies, and other interested parties have found it more valuable to know the difference between black hackers and white hackers. They can help protect their computers from potential intruders. Companies often hire these individuals as consultants to help them identify vulnerable systems and make them stronger. These specialists will become more critical as more industries depend on computer systems in their day-to-day operations. A specialist can help you ensure the best security for your computer systems.