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White Hat vs. Black Hat Hackers, What’s the Difference?
Information may not be reliable

4/17/2013
This article will go over the difference between white hat and black hat hackers.

When it comes to computer hacking, it is easy to assume that all hackers are the same. While it is true that hackers have the skills to break into a computer and find information, it is not true that all of the hackers perform the same tasks. Black hat and white hat hackers have major differences when it comes to how the hackers use their skills.

Trustworthiness

A key difference between a white and black hat hacker is the trustworthiness of the individual. A white hat hacker is capable of obtaining information in certain circumstances, but the data is not used for malicious or illegal means.

A white hat hacker is a trained professional who often works on benefiting and improving society. The hacker might work on government projects or work for businesses to hack into the company’s system to find weaknesses that need security improvements. The hacker will only use the skills with permission from appropriate authorities. White hat hackers do not use the information for personal gain or for mischievous activities.

A black hat hacker refers to those individuals who are not trustworthy and will hack into any system in an effort to steal information without permission. The goal of a black hat hacker is stealing the identity of others, blackmailing or engaging in fraud. It is illegal hacking and the hacker is committing many crimes by engaging in the activity.

Obtaining Permission before Using Skills

With the trustworthiness of the hacker is a primary difference between white hat and black hat hackers, the permission that is granted also plays a critical role. A white hat hacker will have permission to hack into the system for a specific purpose, such as checking the security features of a company or working with Homeland Security to identity potential threats to the country.

A black hat hacker does not gain permission before hacking into the system. Instead, the hacker breaks into the system with the goal of personal financial gain. Depending on the situation, the hacker may or may not use the information. In most cases, a black hat hacker will use the information to commit crimes, such as theft or blackmail.

Reasons for Hacking

The reasons that hackers engage in the activity is another difference that sets the white hat and black hat hackers apart. While the exact reason for any specific case will vary, the motivation behind the activity will have similarities between hacking cases.

In the case of a white hat hacker, the motivation for the activity is simple. The hacker is providing a service to the government, companies or others. The hacker is working to benefit the victim of their skills by identifying security loopholes and other problems that need improvements.

A black hat hacker is solely working for illegal reasons. The purpose of hacking into a system is related to obtaining data with the goal of stealing, blackmailing, committing extortion or otherwise disabling certain individuals, companies or organizations. The goal is malicious rather than providing a useful service.

Although hacking has a bad reputation, it is ultimately the way hackers use their skills that matters. In some cases, hackers are trained in courses such as security and ethical hacking from schools such as TrainACE MCIPT boot camp Virginia. Those hackers are trustworthy and work hard to provide additional protection to customers.

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