Читать книгу Hacking For Dummies - Kevin Beaver - Страница 13

Hacker has two meanings:

 Traditionally, hackers like to tinker with software or electronic systems. Hackers enjoy exploring and learning how computer systems operate. They love discovering new ways to work — both mechanically and electronically.

 Over the years, hacker has taken on a new meaning: someone who maliciously breaks into systems for personal gain. Technically, these criminals are crackers (criminal hackers). These “crackers” break into — or crack — systems with malicious intent. They seek fame, intellectual property, profit, or even revenge. They modify, delete, and steal critical information, and they spread ransomware and take entire networks offline, often bringing large corporations and government agencies to their knees. Don’t get me started on how pop culture and the media have hijacked the word hack, from life hacking to so-called election meddling. Marketers, politicians, and media strategists know that the average person doesn’t understand the term hacking, so many of them use it however they desire to achieve their goals. Don’t be distracted.

The good-guy (white-hat) hackers don’t like being lumped in the same category as the bad-guy (black-hat) hackers. (In case you’re curious, the white hat and black hat come from old Western TV shows in which the good guys wore white cowboy hats and the bad guys wore black cowboy hats.) Gray-hat hackers are a bit of both. Whatever the case, the word hacker often has a negative connotation.

Many malicious hackers claim that they don’t cause damage but help others for the greater good of society. Yeah, whatever. Malicious hackers are electronic miscreants and deserve the consequences of their actions.

Be careful not to confuse criminal hackers with security researchers. Researchers not only hack aboveboard and develop the amazing tools that we get to use in our work, but they also (usually) take responsible steps to disclose their findings and publish their code. Unfortunately, there is a war going on against legitimate information security research, and the tools and techniques are often questioned by government agencies. Some people are even forced to remove these tools from their websites.