The Surprising Motives and Ethics of Hacking

With all of the devastating cyber attacks that have been in the news such as the CDK attack on auto dealerships, the MGM incident in Las Vegas, etc, it’s a scary time for cybersecurity. You may be surprised to learn, however, that not all cyber attackers are after the same thing.

There are multiple types of hackers as well as a wide range of motives that separate them. Here is an overview of the different motivations and surprising ethical gray areas of hacking.

What Is The Motivation Behind Hacking Computers?

When most people think about cyber hacking, they might assume all hackers do what they do to extort or steal money from businesses or individuals. This is true in many cases.

For example, ransomware is a type of cyber extortion that aims to steal or hold data for ransom while demanding a payout to restore it. 

Other times, skilled cybercriminals will infiltrate business networks to steal credentials, and sell them on the dark web. In this way, your information might be up for sale for months before anyone purchases them to extort you. This is referred to as the Business of Cybercrime, a marketplace where hackers can freely bid on stolen data right under the noses of victims.

What are Black Hat, White Hat, and Gray Hat Hackers?

Hackers don’t all fall under one category, as they can be both malicious and ethical. The ethics depend on the intention behind hacking. They could intend to exploit victims, test the vulnerabilities of networks, or hack just for the sake of hacking. These distinctions are referred to as “white hat”, “gray hat” and “black hat” hackers.

White Hat Hacking – Certified Ethical Hackers

Ethical hacking came about as a means to combat malicious cybercrime, with the purpose of preparing businesses for the latest attack strategies. This is often referred to as “penetration testing”. This is when a professional hacker tries to gain access to your network with various attack methods to uncover security gaps.

These tests will reveal vulnerabilities such as open ports, user authentication issues for accessing sensitive information, and other “back doors” that bad actors could use to cause harm. 

Black Hat Hacking – Malicious Cyber Threats

Black Hat cyberattacks are the opposite of white hat hackers, since they aim to breach your network for nefarious reasons. They will operate anonymously to slip into your network undetected and wreak havoc, sometimes months after they get in.

This method allows them to choose the right moment to strike without you knowing it. They may shut down your network or upload files while you’re on vacation, on a major holiday, or over the weekend to go unnoticed.

Gray Hat Hacking – Not Malicious, Not Ethical Either

This term refers to skilled hackers who don't necessarily have malicious intentions when breaching assets without permission. However, they aren't quite ethical either.

These cyber experts hack into networks recreationally, without intent to to steal data, swindle money, or extort victims. They will not follow any ethical or legal guidelines when they commandeer networks or spy on your data, though.

Gray Hat hackers do not act as a service or in good-faith, so they're still dangerous to businesses. You should be suspicious of anyone who is able to breach your network without permission. This is why a network assessment is a good idea to identify ways they could do so.

Why Do Hackers Hack Companies?

Cybercriminals have figured out that businesses have a lot more to lose than individuals. This is because businesses have client relationships, compliance responsibilities, and bottom lines to worry about. This raises the stakes if businesses have their data stolen, since cyberattacks could result in:

• Lawsuits from client or vendor data breaches
• Fines from the government
• Hefty ransomware payments and drained resources
• Damaged client trust and industry reputation
• Losses in revenue from halted services or production

Because of these unique risks that business leaders want to avoid at all costs, an ill-prepared business is the perfect victim for cybercriminals to prey on. This is why it’s important to be prepared with rigorous cybersecurity tools and practices in place, so hackers move on to target more vulnerable victims instead of you.

Do hackers make a lot of money?

Cyber extortion, ransomware, and other cybercrime is a lucrative model for malicious hackers, since ransomware payments average in the millions.

Ethical hacking can also be a high-paying career path for those interested in using their hacking skills for good as well, as cybersecurity is a booming industry.

What Industries Do Hackers Usually Target and Why?

Industries that need to follow strict data security compliance are the most often targeted by cyber extortionists. This is because the stakes are understandably higher for industries such as healthcare or finance that need to adhere to HIPAA or Graham Leach Bliley regulations, respectively.

Can you Get White Hat Hackers for Hire?

Now that you've learned the differences between malicious and ethical hackers, you may wonder how easy it is to hire hackers to uncover gaps in your network.

It's actually quite easy to find services to test the strength of your network security, and many managed service providers offer assessments to find vulnerabilities.

How to Mitigate Cyber Attacks

If you don't want to wait to get ahead of attackers, there are several steps you can take today to ensure cybersecurity readiness. Any MSP would advise you to set up basic cybersecurity best practices such as MFA, password policies, etc. The best IT providers will recommend Zero Trust as a core security necessity.

Zero Trust Architecture

One of the best and expert-recommended methods to mitigate cyber threats is Zero Trust Architecture. This framework considers all users and programs untrustworthy until vetted by a member of your IT team.

This results in several closed doors for unauthorized attackers to access sensitive company assets on your network. It will block unknown downloads, require user authentication including MFA, and lock every network entrance to prevent those without permission from entering.

Cybersecurity Best Practices

In addition to Zero Trust frameworks, there are many other steps you can take to secure your business. Some best practices you can implement today include:

• Requiring strong passwords and frequent resets for all end users
• Educating staff on online safety through cybersecurity training
• Ensuring all software has the proper patches
• Protecting sensitive company and personal information through multi-factor authentication (MFA)

Find Information Technology Companies Equipped To Help 

Outsourced cybersecurity and IT companies are a great idea to mitigate the risk of cybercriminals exploiting your business. IT providers often have decades of experience finding the best technology solutions for small businesses to defend against always-advancing threats.

If you're read to upgrade cybersecurity practices and technology for your small business, click the button below to get a network assessment and see where you're at.