Exploring Hacker Types And Their Motivations For Cyber Threats

Not all hackers are bad guys. But understanding what motivates them can make you less vulnerable to an attack. A person who enjoys exploring the details of programmable systems and how to stretch their capabilities. Hackers also relish the intellectual challenge . . . Not all hackers are bad guys. But understanding what motivates them can make you less vulnerable to an attack. A person who enjoys exploring the details of programmable systems and how to stretch their capabilities. Hackers also relish the intellectual challenge of creatively overcoming or circumventing limitations.

Sneaker: An individual hired to break into [systems] to test their security.

Cracker: A malicious meddler who tries to discover sensitive information by breaking into computer systems. Cracking usually involves the dogged repetition of well-known tricks that exploit common weaknesses in the security of target systems.

Phreaker: One who practices the art and science of cracking the phone network (for example, to make free long-distance calls).

Script kiddies: The lowest form of cracker, script kiddies do mischief with scripts and programs written by others, often without understanding the exploit.

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