Ethical vs Unethical Hacking
It is commonly assumed and accepted that ethical hackers help to build security whereas unethical hackers aim to break security. There is a major difference between how the two work although they both engage in the hacking of some sort. Ethical hackers usually have an advanced level of knowledge regarding computer security and possess all the technical knowledge required as well but are not necessarily skillful as hackers. Few of them are skilled enough to develop their own software and tools. Ethical hackers aim to counter-attack threats posed by Unethical hacker to the computer systems as well as internet security across networks.
On the other hand, Unethical hacker are well aware that their activities are illegal and thus are criminal activities hence they try to cover their tracks. Even though Unethical hacker may be highly skilled in breaching systems, professional hackers can restore the security of the breached system and catch the cracker with their skills and competency. Crackers possess highly advanced and technical knowledge and can create software and tools that are powerful enough to damage and exploit systems after analyzing the system’s weak areas. Most of the times, crackers do not leave their mark behind as they are very efficient and careful in executing their work.
However they pose a serious threat to the internet security. It is well established that Ethical hackers are ethical professionals whereas Unethical hacker hack into systems illegally and without consent. Apart from this major difference, another difference is with regards to their understanding of computer systems and security systems. Ethical hackers can write codes in many languages and possess in depth knowledge of computer languages like C, C++, HTML and Java. They also understand how these languages work and what these codes do. On the other hand, Unethical hacker do not have an upper hand here. They do not possess much knowledge about computer programming. Their work and the intent behind it makes them poles apart from each other and is main point of difference between the two.
Conclusion
Thus it is safe to say that Ethical hackers break into systems entirely to check for gaps in it and rectify them to update the systems whereas Unethical hacker break into the systems with the intention of exploiting them and for personal gains. This is not only unethical but is also an illegal and criminal activity. White Hats are employed by organizations to carry out hacking after being subjected to a legal contract. On the other hand, Black Hats do not succumb to any approval or agreement as they intend to violate the security of any system that they desire. While a cracker encroaches on personal data and information and uses is to his own advantage, the hacker commits the same action to help a company or an individual to ward off attacks from these crackers.
