what_is_a_hacker.md 1.2 KB
title: Introduction to Hacking - What is a hacker? show-content: 1
layout: console
A hacker is someone who likes to tinker with electronics or computer systems. Hackers like to explore and learn how computer systems work, finding ways to make them do what they do better, or things they were not intended to do. There are a lot of types of hackers, even though these are the three main/most known:
White Hat: These are considered the good guys. White hat hackers don't use their skills for illegal purposes. They usually become Computer Security experts and help protect people from the Black Hats.
Grey Hat: These are a mix of White Hat and Black Hats, they usually try to break into systems without a previously written permission without personal ambition (such as asking for money or breaking networks).
Black Hat: These are considered the bad guys. Black hat hackers usually use their skills maliciously for personal gain. They are people that hack banks, steal credit cards and deface websites.
The White Hat and Black Hat terms came from the old western movies where the good guys wore white hats and the bad guys wore black hats.