 - Black hat is used to describe a hacker (or, if you prefer, cracker) who breaks into a computer system or network with malicious intent. Unlike a white hat hacker, the black hat hacker takes advantage of the break-in, perhaps destroying files or stealing data for some future purpose. The black hat hacker may also make the exploit known to other hackers and/or the public without notifying the victim. This gives others the opportunity to exploit the vulnerability before the organization is able to secure it.
The term comes from old Western movies, where heros often wore white hats and the "bad guys" wore black hats.
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Learn more about Hacker Tools and Techniques: Underground Sites and Hacking Groups |
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| LAST UPDATED: |
05 Jun 2007
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RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS
| Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary |
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cracker
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cyberextortion
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Cyberextortion is a crime involving an attack or threat of attack against an enterprise, coupled with a demand for money to avert or stop the attack.
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