A white hat hacker is a person who uses their technical skills to gain unauthorised access to computer systems, networks or sensitive information for ethical or legal reasons. They are also referred to as "ethical hackers" or "penetration testers". White hat hackers are often hired by companies to test their own security systems or by security consulting firms to test the security of client systems.
White hat hackers use many of the same methods as black hat hackers to gain unauthorised access to systems, but with the permission and under the supervision of the system owner. They use a combination of manual and automated tools to test the security of systems and look for vulnerabilities.
They also use a range of other techniques to test security, such as
- Vulnerability scans: They use automated tools to scan systems for known vulnerabilities and report any findings to the system owner.
- Penetration testing: They simulate a real attack to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in a system and report the results to the system owner.
- Social engineering: They use tactics such as phishing, baiting and subterfuge to test a company's defences against social engineering attacks.
- Physical security tests: You test a company's defences against physical attacks such as tailgating, dumpster diving and shoulder surfing.
White Hat Hacker use their findings to identify and report security vulnerabilities and recommend solutions to the system owner. They play an important role in maintaining the overall security of computer systems and networks and help protect the integrity of sensitive data.
It is important to know that white hat hacking is an essential part of maintaining the security of computer systems and networks. Many organisations rely on white hat hackers to identify and fix vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by black hat hackers. They also provide a valuable service by helping organisations better understand their own security posture and develop more effective security strategies to protect against cyber threats.
