Hackers are people who love to solve puzzles, crack codes, and challenge authority. These people are often associated with the image of an anti-social weirdo living under a bridge somewhere.
The hacker subculture is not as frightening as it seems. Many positive aspects come from being a hacker. If you’re interested in becoming a hacker or just want to learn more about this culture and what it means to be one, continue reading.
To most, hackers are people who exploit software vulnerabilities or break into secure networks without authorization. However, there is much more to being a hacker than that simple explanation implies.
Several positive qualities come from being a hacker; they just get portrayed in a negative light because of their association with cybercrime.
What does it take to be a hacker?
To become a hacker, you must possess certain qualities. You need to be curious, persistent and have a thirst for knowledge. Hacking is about figuring out how things work and taking control of those things.
More than anything, it’s about problem-solving. Hackers are creative thinkers who like to challenge themselves and find creative solutions to difficult problems. They don’t want to be spoon-fed information. They want to figure things out for themselves.
Being a hacker requires you to be open-minded, resourceful, and determined. You need to be comfortable with failure because you will experience it often. A hacker also needs to be able to concentrate for long periods. Many times, a single hack will take several hours, or even several days, to complete. You need to be able to stay focused and not be easily distracted.
What do hackers do?
If you want to be a classic hacker, like the ones that break into computer systems, you’re going to be in for disappointment. The number of hackers doing that kind of thing is so small that it is almost impossible to find employment in this niche.
Most hackers today are developers or cybersecurity experts. They write code, create products, and find solutions to technical problems.
Hackers are working to make the world a better place by creating new products and solving major issues. If you want to be a hacker, you’ll probably be spending more time in front of a computer than you would be if you were, say, a detective.
You will likely be working with high-level programming languages and solving complex problems. There are, of course, many other job titles that fall under the hacker category.
Why is there a negative connotation attached to being a hacker?
The media tends to sensationalize everything. Whenever something bad happens, they always associate it with hackers.
They make it seem like anyone with an interest in computers is some sort of criminal. The truth is that only a small percentage of people who call themselves hackers are bad people.
Hacking is an incredibly broad term. It covers computer hacking, black hat hacking, and even ethical hacking (white hat hacking).
The general public is not aware of these nuances and only associates the term with computer hacking. This is unfortunate and unfair because it causes people to fear hackers and their interests.
Though most people know the difference between a computer hacker and an ethical hacker, they often associate the two because they see computer hacking being committed in the media.
The Dark Side of Hacking
Hackers have a bad reputation because a small percentage of them use their skills for evil purposes. This small percentage ruins it for everyone else who legitimately uses their skills.
There are several types of dark hacking that you should be aware of.
The first type is known as black hat hacking.
A black hat hacker is someone who uses malicious techniques to breach computer security systems, steal data, and disrupt service.
The second type of hacking is known as blue hat hacking. Blue hat hackers are essentially digital mercenaries who are paid to break into computer systems and find vulnerabilities. This is unethical and should not be confused with ethical hacking.
The last type of hacking is known as red hat hacking. Red hat hackers use their skills to help organizations find vulnerabilities in their systems and fix them before malicious hackers find them.
The Good Side of Hacking
Hackers are problem-solvers.
They are curious individuals who are not afraid to take on difficult tasks. Because of this, they are often hired by organizations to help solve complex issues. Most organizations have problems that they cannot solve on their own. They need individuals who are willing to take a step back, see the bigger picture, and come up with a creative solution.
Hackers are naturally curious individuals who love to understand how things work. This makes them great problem-solvers because they are constantly asking questions and looking for answers. They are willing to take a step back and see the bigger picture to find the solution to a problem.
Hackers are willing to take on difficult tasks because they love a challenge. They are not afraid to step out of their comfort zone and take on problems that others are too scared to take on.
This makes them valuable employees because they are constantly coming up with creative solutions to major issues.
Final Words
It is important to remember that not all hackers are created equal. There are plenty of legitimate reasons that someone might hack into a system, and it is easy to confuse an unethical hacker with a white hat hacker.
This article is meant as a primer for those new to the world of hacking, so hopefully, we’ve done that job well. In any case, our objective is to empower you with knowledge about the role of hackers in today’s world of technology, and how to spot them if you encounter them.
Recommended Reading: How to Protect Yourself from Hackers and Cybercriminals
