10 Types of Hackers to Be Aware of in 2025

Michelle Wilson - February 12, 2022

The reliance on computers and the Internet has changed how our lives function. With a definite shift to the virtual world, most data is now easily transferred through online portals and networks. Files, folders, and ledgers are now obsolete, with entire databases of information at our fingertips. Unfortunately, the simplicity of online documents occasionally poses security risks. Stealing data, harvesting information, or harming the system can put personal and confidential information into the wrong hands. Most hackers hold malicious intent, wanting to access or breach systems with ill intent. There are many different types of hackers, each using different techniques and attacks to gain access.

White Hat Hackers

The white hat hackers are professionals with experience in cybersecurity. These individuals are authorized or certified to hack the systems, most often to see where vulnerabilities and security issues start. These individuals usually work for organizations or government offices, testing the level of cybersecurity within their organization. Their job often includes identifying weak points in the system ad fixing them to prevent attacks from outside sources. White hat hackers always abide by the regulations and rules of the government, also known as ethical hackers.

These hackers will often find and fix vulnerabilities in a system before an attack happens, develop tools to detect cyberattacks or build security software to prevent ongoing system problems. This group includes academics, researchers, and professionals trying to better online security.

Black Hat Hackers

Funds, sensitive information, or identity theft are the primary motivators for black hat hackers. These individuals are just as knowledgeable as computer experts but often come with malicious intentions. They attack systems to gain unlawful access they don’t have authorized entry within. Gaining admission might allow for stealing data or destroying systems. The practices used by these individuals will depend on knowledge or skill, regardless of the legality. It is the intention that makes this hacker a criminal.

These hackers are almost always behind phishing emails, selling malware, selling financial or personal identification online, or brute-force attacks. Blackmail is another financial gain for black hat hackers, using ransomware to encrypt valuable files and subsequently extorting the victim for cash to unlock it.

Gray Hat Hackers

It is the intention of the hacker that categorizes these individuals. A Gray hat hacker often falls between a black hat hacker and a white hat hacker. These people are not professional hackers, nor are they certified. Individuals in this category may have good or bad intentions but may not always attempt gaining from the attack. These individuals often enjoy experimenting with different systems, finding loopholes and cracked defenses.

Script Kiddies

The Script Kiddies are amateur hackers when it comes to infiltrating systems. Most try to hack systems using scripts from other hackers without understanding how they function. They often hack websites, networks, or plans for attention from their peers. The Script Kiddies are juvenile in the hacking process, typically using DoS or DDoS attacks. These attacks flood an IP address with excessive traffic causing it to collapse.

Green Hat Hackers

The Greet Hat Hackers are individuals trying to learn the ropes of hacking. These individuals vary from Script Kiddies due to their goals and intentions. Most green hat hackers want to become experienced hackers while striving to learn from experienced individuals.

Blue Hat Hackers

This category of hacker is similar to Script Kiddies. These participants often use hacking attempts as a weapon, hoping to gain popularity or credibility among peers. These hackers will often settle scores with enemies or adversaries, trying to hurt other companies or people. These individuals are dangerous due to the emotionally-driven intent of hacking instead of using knowledge or skill. Unfortunately, the purpose and desire to learn are missing from their experience.

Eagle-Eyed Hackers/ Red Hat Hackers

This group of people is like white hat hackers. All red hat hackers intend to stop the devastation of black hat hackers. Although both red hat hackers and white hat hackers hold the same intention, their process is considerably different. Most red hat hackers are aggressive in their steps to block black hat hackers, taking matters into their own hands. They’re commonly called the Robin Hoods of the virtual world, often ruthless and counteracting with malware. They often continue attacking, causing significant damage and eventual replacement of the system set up.

Different Types of Hacking Capacities

The above seven hackers broadly refer to the individuals or groups online trying to access systems and networks. The hacker’s intent differentiates the titles above, whether they’re trying to gain access for good reasons, malicious intent, or popularity gains. While every individual ultimately tries to gain access through loopholes, not all hackers are evil.

The following three definitions highlight the different capacities a hacker might find themselves in:

Nation or State-Sponsored Hackers

Should a government hire people to gain information about other countries or nations, they’re classified as nation-sponsored hackers. These hackers will use their knowledge and experience to gain confidential information from the target country. These details help government officials prepare for upcoming threats or dangers to their country. It also allows officials valuable insights into ongoing concerns, reporting exclusively to their governments.

Hacktivist

A hacktivist is anyone that intends on hacking a government website. Most individuals in this category pose as activists, often trying to gain access to sensitive information. Hacktivists can be an extensive collection of nameless hackers or individuals hoping to access networks or websites with confidential information. Data acquired from these files is often for political, personal, or social gain.

Malicious Insider or Whistleblower

These hackers will include individuals that expose confidential information about the company or organization they are employed with. The intention behind these hackers can vary significantly, depending on the individual, but might include personal gain or illegal activities within the organization. Some individuals also act as hackers when they hold a grudge or feel wronged by the company in question.

Conclusion:

Information is readily available online, which will only increase with the reliance on the Internet. Eager individuals will learn and adapt to these transitions effortlessly, but it occasionally means data is at risk of theft or fraudulent use. Many people associate hackers with malicious individuals; intent is the defining factor of the term. Knowledge used for harming governments, corporations, or individuals makes hackers dangerous. The type and intensity of the attack or breach largely depend on the network’s security and loopholes.

As the reliance on online information continues to soar, it’s critical to recognize the risks and drawbacks. Unfortunately, as cybersecurity continues to shift and change dramatically, it’s often difficult for businesses and organizations to stay current. Thankfully, companies can hire white hat hackers to find these loopholes or vulnerabilities and report directly to the industry on immediately fixing the issues. With proper planning, security, and ongoing maintenance, users can minimize this risk overall while keeping malicious actors and hackers away from sensitive information.