What Is an Ethical Hacker?
Hackers identify and exploit gaps and weaknesses in computer systems. Ethical hackers identify the same weaknesses, but do so with the intention of fixing them. The roles of malicious hacker and ethical hacker require similar skills, traits, and techniques, but their motivations are quite different.
Malicious hackers make unauthorized attempts to access computer systems or networks. In response, organizations authorize ethical hackers to identify and close those gaps. Basically, organizations pay ethical hackers to help protect their systems and data from malicious hackers.
Types of Hackers
Hackers are often classified by their motivations and actions with the analogy of wearing different “hats.” Here are some of the most common types of hackers, identified by the color of their metaphorical hats:
Black Hat: These are cybercriminals. Black hat hackers attack vulnerabilities with malicious intent.intent.
White Hat: Also known as security specialists, white hat hackers look for the same vulnerabilities as black hats but determine how to fix the issues and prevent future attacks. Sometimes, black hats become white hats..
Gray Hat: Gray hats have mixed motivations. They enjoy hacking and often do so without authorization, but they don’t act maliciously. Grey hats often view hacking as sport.
Blue Hat: Tech companies hire blue hat hackers to test products and find security issues. Microsoft hosts an annual Blue Hat convention.
Red Hat: Also known as vigilante hackers, red hats act aggressively to stop the black hats and employ some of their strategies. Government agencies hire red hats for their mission focus.
Green Hat: These are the hacking beginners who want to become white, blue, or red hats (but hopefully not black hats). How do they learn? Let’s take a look.
How to Become an Ethical Hacker
Those with a curious mind, a taste for coding, and a tenacious personality may want to consider ethical hacking. It requires discipline and a sense of ethics — as the name suggests.
From a tech perspective, ethical hackers must understand networks and operating systems, notably Windows and Linux. JavaScript, Python, and SQL are among the leading languages ethical hackers use, but additional languages may be needed depending on the types of systems being accessed and their security posture.
There are several ways to learn ethical hacking. Information security analysts typically hold degrees in computer science or information technology, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), but that’s not the only educational pathway. For instance, 8 percent of penetration testers — an emerging role in cyber security — have a high school diploma or equivalent, according to CareerOneStop. In addition, many have learned through independent study, online courses, or boot camps. Here are some resources to help you get started in ethical hacking:
Cybersecurity Guide:
This site provides a detailed breakdown of ethical hacking including educational paths, roles to pursue, job types, and certifications. It’s a good starting point for newcomers.
edX: The tech catalog of edX’s free online educational platform includes the basics of cyber security, an introduction to network security, and several classes on penetration testing.
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