![14 Sorts of Hackers to Watch Out For [2025]](https://www.pandasecurity.com/en/mediacenter/src/uploads/2021/09/types-of-hackers-hero.jpg "14 Sorts of Hackers to Watch Out For [2025]")
There are 14 frequent varieties of hackers, together with:
Hacking has developed right into a full-blown business, with professionals on either side of the regulation. And the stakes are larger than ever.
In 2023 alone, 3,205 information compromise incidents affected roughly 353 million people within the U.S. — a staggering reminder of how susceptible our digital lives have turn out to be.
Whereas some hackers work to show system flaws and defend individuals from hurt, others exploit those self same weaknesses for monetary achieve corresponding to ransomware or simply for the joys of it. Not all hackers are criminals however all of them know methods to break into programs and their motives make all of the distinction.
Let’s break down 14 varieties of hackers it’s best to find out about — and whether or not they’re working for you or towards you.
Sorts of Hackers at a Look
Within the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity, hackers are available in many various kinds, every with their very own motives and strategies. From malicious attackers to moral defenders, understanding the varied varieties of hackers might help you higher defend your private and enterprise information.
Right here’s a fast overview of the most typical hacker varieties it’s best to find out about.
| Hacker Sort | Menace Degree | What They Do |
|---|---|---|
| Black hat hackers | Excessive | Interact in unlawful actions for monetary achieve, corresponding to stealing information or launching assaults |
| White hat hackers | Low | Licensed to search out and repair vulnerabilities in programs to reinforce safety |
| Grey hat hackers | Medium | Hack for enjoyable or to search out vulnerabilities, however could not at all times have permission |
| Inexperienced hat hackers | Low | New to hacking and studying the commerce, typically experimenting with completely different methods |
| Blue hat hackers | Medium | Employed to check software program or programs for vulnerabilities earlier than launch |
| Crimson hat hackers | Excessive | Authorities-hired hackers who goal black hats or different cybercriminals |
| Script kiddies | Low | Inexperienced hackers utilizing pre-written scripts or instruments to hold out assaults |
| State/nation-sponsored hackers | Very Excessive | Hackers employed by governments to conduct cyber espionage or disrupt different nations |
| Malicious Insiders (whistleblowers) | Excessive | Workers or contractors who exploit their entry to steal or sabotage information |
| Hacktivists | Medium | Hackers with a political or social agenda concentrating on organizations to advertise a trigger |
| Cryptojackers | Excessive | Use a sufferer’s system to mine cryptocurrency with out their consent. |
| Gaming hackers | Medium | Hack or cheat in on-line video games to achieve unfair benefits or disrupt gameplay |
| Botnets | Excessive | Use a community of compromised gadgets to hold out large-scale assaults, like DDoS |
| Elite hackers | Very Excessive | Extremely expert, typically concentrating on high-profile entities or conducting superior cyberattacks |
What Are Black Hat Hackers?
A black hat hacker is a cybercriminal who breaks into pc programs with malicious or felony intent. You in all probability consider black hat hackers once you image a typical hacker or cybercriminal.
Their superior technical information and skill to navigate the cybersecurity panorama make them expert in finishing up their assaults. They exit of their solution to discover vulnerabilities in pc programs and software program, which they exploit for monetary achieve or different malicious functions.
Black hat hackers can do critical hurt to people and organizations alike by stealing delicate or private information, compromising complete pc programs or altering crucial networks.
Motives: To revenue from information breaches
Most in danger: Organizations, which hackers sometimes goal to steal delicate information that may compromise a enterprise financially.
What are White Hat Hackers?
White hat hackers are cybersecurity consultants who use their abilities to search out vulnerabilities in organizational networks and pc programs. Nevertheless, the important thing distinction between them is that white hat hackers are licensed to hack these programs to identify safety vulnerabilities earlier than a felony hacker can.
Usually employed by governments or massive companies, white hat hackers establish and repair loopholes or weaknesses in organizational safety programs to assist stop an exterior assault or information breach.
Motives: Assist companies stop cybersecurity assaults
Most in danger: Felony hackers
What Are Grey Hat Hackers?
A grey hat hacker is a cybersecurity knowledgeable who finds methods to hack into pc networks and programs however with out the malicious intent of a black hat hacker. Usually, they interact in hacking actions for the pure enjoyment of discovering gaps in pc programs, they usually would possibly even let the proprietor know in the event that they discover any weak factors.
Nevertheless, they don’t at all times take essentially the most moral route when doing so — they might penetrate programs or networks with out the proprietor’s permission (despite the fact that they aren’t attempting to trigger any hurt).
Motives: Private enjoyment
Most in danger: Anybody who doesn’t need unauthorized entry to their programs and networks
What’s the Distinction Between White, Black and Grey Hat Hackers?
You’ve in all probability heard the phrases white hat, black hat and grey hat hackers thrown round — however what do they really imply?
All of it comes right down to intent:
- White hat hackers are the great guys. Consider them as digital safety guards. Corporations rent them to search out weak spots in programs earlier than the dangerous guys can. Their aim is to guard your information and hold the web safer for everybody.
- Black hat hackers are those you don’t need poking round your Wi-Fi. They break into programs illegally to steal private data, set up malware or generate profits by way of scams and fraud.
- Grey hat hackers don’t at all times comply with the principles, however they’re not out to trigger hurt, both. They may discover a safety flaw and report it with out permission, which may nonetheless get them into authorized hassle.
Not all hackers are criminals, however understanding who’s who might help you higher defend your gadgets and private data.
Whereas white, black and grey hats get a lot of the highlight, they’re simply the tip of the iceberg. There are a number of different varieties of hackers on the market, every with its personal instruments, targets and ways.
Inexperienced Hat: Hackers in Coaching
A inexperienced hat hacker is somebody who’s new to the hacking world however is intently targeted on rising their cyberattack abilities. They primarily give attention to gaining information of methods to carry out cyberattacks on the identical stage as their black hat counterparts.
Their foremost intent is to finally evolve right into a full-fledged hacker, in order that they spend their time searching for studying alternatives from extra skilled hackers.
Motives: To learn to turn out to be an skilled hacker
Most in danger: Nobody (but)
Blue Hat: Licensed Software program Hackers
Blue hat hackers are employed by organizations to bug-test a new software program or system community earlier than it’s launched. Their position is to search out loopholes or safety vulnerabilities within the new software program and treatment them earlier than it launches.
Motives: To establish vulnerabilities in new organizational software program earlier than it’s launched
Most in danger: Felony hackers
Crimson Hat: Authorities-Employed Hackers
Authorities companies rent Crimson hat hackers to identify vulnerabilities in safety programs, with a particular give attention to discovering and disarming black hat hackers.
They’re recognized to be notably ruthless of their hunt for black hat criminals and sometimes use any means doable to take them down. This typically seems like utilizing the identical ways as black hat hackers and utilizing these strategies towards them — utilizing the identical malware, viruses and different methods to compromise their machines from the within out.
Motives: To seek out and destroy black hat hackers
Most in danger: Black hat hackers
Script Kiddies: Novice Hackers
Script kiddies are novice hackers who don’t possess the identical stage of talent or experience as extra superior hackers within the area. To compensate for this, they flip to current malware created by different hackers to hold out their assaults. Not like inexperienced hat hackers who’re desperate to be taught hacking methods, script kiddies are extra eager about shopping for or downloading current instruments for hacking.
Motives: To trigger disruption
Most in danger: Organizations with unsecured networks and programs
Sponsored Hackers: Worldwide Menace Prevention Hackers
A rustic’s authorities appoints state/nation-sponsored hackers to achieve entry to a different nation’s pc programs. They use their cybersecurity abilities to retrieve confidential data from different nations to arrange for a possible menace or assault.
They monitor delicate conditions that might pose a menace sooner or later. Some of these hackers are employed solely by authorities companies.
Motives: To observe and forestall worldwide threats
Most in danger: Worldwide hackers and criminals
Whistleblowers: Malicious Insider
Malicious insider hackers, often known as whistleblowers, make use of a cyberattack from throughout the group they work for. Their motivation for the assault can range from appearing on a private grudge towards somebody they work for to discovering and exposing criminal activity throughout the group.
Motives: To reveal or exploit a company’s confidential data
Most in danger: Inner executives and enterprise leaders
Hacktivists: Politically Motivated Hackers
A hacktivist is somebody who hacks into authorities networks and programs to attract consideration to a political or social trigger — therefore why the title “hacktivist” is a play on the phrase “activist.” They use hacking as a type of protest, retrieving delicate authorities data and utilizing it for political or social functions.
Motives: To make clear an alarming social or political trigger (or to make a political or ideological assertion)
Most in danger: Authorities companies
Cryptojackers: Cryptocurrency Mining Hackers
Cryptojackers exploit community vulnerabilities and steal pc assets to mine for cryptocurrencies. They unfold malware in numerous methods, typically by planting infectious viruses throughout the net.
These viruses and ransomware-like ways assist them deploy malicious code on victims’ programs. The code works quietly within the background with out the victims’ information. As soon as planted, it sends the outcomes again to the hacker.
Cryptojackers are powerful to identify for the reason that malicious code can go undetected for a very long time. Since their motive isn’t to steal victims’ information however slightly to make use of their system as a car for cryptocurrency mining, it’s tough to hint the supply of the an infection as soon as somebody discovers it.
Motives: Cryptocurrency mining
Most in danger: Any particular person or group with unsecured networks
Gaming Hackers: Hackers of the Gaming World
Gaming hackers manipulate video video games to achieve an unfair benefit, particularly in on-line multiplayer settings. They may use instruments like aimbots, wallhacks or pace hacks to outperform different gamers, typically ruining the expertise for everybody else.
Some gaming hackers exploit bugs or loopholes in a sport’s code to duplicate gadgets, bypass restrictions or stage up quicker than meant. Others could goal gamers instantly by stealing account credentials, particularly for video games with worthwhile in-game gadgets or foreign money.
Motives: To compromise gaming rivals
Most in danger: Excessive-profile players
Botnets: Giant-Scale Hackers
Botnets are networks of computer systems which have been contaminated with malware and are managed remotely by a hacker — typically with out the system proprietor’s information.
These compromised gadgets, typically known as “zombies,” can embody residence PCs, good TVs and even Wi-Fi routers. As soon as linked to a botnet, they’ll use your system to hold out large-scale cyberattacks like sending spam emails, launching distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) assaults or spreading extra malware — all with out you realizing it.
Botnets are particularly harmful for residence customers as a result of infections typically go unnoticed. You would possibly simply discover your system slowing down or appearing surprisingly. That’s why protecting software program up to date, utilizing sturdy passwords and having dependable antivirus safety is vital to staying protected.
Motives: to compromise a excessive quantity of community programs
Most in danger: People with unsecured routers and WiFi-connected gadgets
Elite Hackers: The Most Superior Hackers
Elite hackers are extremely expert professionals with superior technical experience. They focus on cyber espionage, information breaches or focused assaults towards main organizations and governments. With a deep understanding of programs and safety protocols, they’ll bypass even essentially the most safe networks.
Elite hackers sometimes give attention to high-value targets like companies and authorities companies; they’re much less more likely to goal on a regular basis people.
Motives: To carry out superior cyberattacks on organizations and people
Most in danger: Excessive-revenue companies
Greatest Practices to Defend In opposition to Hackers
Holding your private data safe in at present’s digital world is extra vital than ever. Whereas no methodology is foolproof, there are a number of proactive steps you’ll be able to take to drastically cut back the chance of falling sufferer to hackers. Following these greatest practices could make it a lot more durable for cybercriminals to entry your information or compromise your gadgets.
- Use sturdy, distinctive passwords for all accounts: Keep away from utilizing the identical password throughout a number of accounts. As an alternative, create complicated, distinctive passwords that mix uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and particular characters.
- Allow multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever doable: MFA provides an additional layer of safety by requiring you to confirm your identification by way of a second methodology (like a textual content message or authentication app) along with your password.
- Preserve all software program and working programs up-to-date: Hackers typically exploit safety flaws in outdated software program. Repeatedly updating your working system, browsers, apps and different software program ensures you’re protected with the newest safety patches.
- Be cautious of suspicious emails, hyperlinks and attachments: Phishing scams are one of the vital frequent strategies hackers use to trick customers into offering private data or downloading malware. At all times confirm the sender earlier than clicking hyperlinks or opening attachments, particularly if the e-mail appears suspicious or sudden.
- Use a firewall and antivirus software program: A firewall can block unauthorized entry to your gadgets, whereas antivirus software program helps detect and take away dangerous malware. Guarantee each are enabled and up-to-date for max safety.
- Browse the net safely and keep away from untrusted web sites: Be cautious when shopping unfamiliar web sites. Search for safe connections (indicated by “https” and a padlock image) earlier than getting into delicate data.
- Again up your vital information usually: Common backups can prevent within the occasion of a cyberattack like ransomware, which locks you out of your recordsdata. Use an exterior onerous drive or cloud storage to maintain copies of your vital information, guaranteeing you’ll be able to restore it if wanted.
Defend Your House From Hackers With Antivirus
Understanding the various kinds of hackers is step one in defending your private home community and private information. With cyber threats turning into extra superior daily, dependable safety isn’t only a nice-to-have—it’s important.
With Panda Dome, you’ll be able to assist hold your gadgets, information and household protected from at present’s most typical cyber threats. Keep a step forward of cybercriminals with safety you’ll be able to belief.
Sorts of Hackers FAQ
Nonetheless have questions on various kinds of hackers? We reply them under.
How Does Hacking Work?
Hackers use numerous strategies to hold out their aim of discovering (and infrequently exploiting) vulnerabilities in a pc system or community. They’ll:
- Use social engineering ways or brute power assaults to achieve unauthorized entry to non-public data like usernames and passwords, which they’ll then exploit for monetary or private achieve
- Use malicious code or packages to infiltrate a person’s system and deploy malware
- Make the most of open, unsecured networks to achieve entry to the gadgets on these networks
- Intercept emails to achieve entry to delicate data
- Set up monitoring software program to log keystrokes and seize login credentials, bank card numbers and different delicate information
What’s the Most Harmful Sort of Hacker for House Customers?
For residence customers, black hat hackers pose the largest menace. These cybercriminals typically goal people to steal private information, entry monetary accounts or set up malware. They could use phishing emails, faux web sites or unsecured networks to hold out their assaults — making sturdy safety measures important for residence safety.
