What Can a Professional Hacker Do?
Movies make professional hacking look like a breeze. All you need to do is bang aggressively on the keyboard and suddenly you’ve broken into the mainframe. From there, you have access to all of the data that can help you solve the big mystery, bring down the corrupt government, or take over the world.
If becoming a professional hacker was as easy as it looks in the movies, we’d all be in big trouble. Luckily, it’s a little more complex than that!
Most hackers can’t gain unauthorized access to deep government secrets with a single click. Even so, professionals can do some serious damage. These individuals have skills and resources that can severely harm your organization’s reputation.
An individual with a malicious agenda can easily hire a professional to commit cyber crimes on their behalf. This can lead to identity theft – or worse.
At CSECURELY, we know hackers because we’re experts at keeping them at bay. It’s our job to keep up to date with cyber threats and security trends to help you keep your business running. Keep reading to learn more about what professional hackers are capable of and how we can help you keep them out.
The Anatomy of a Professional Hacker
When you apply for a job, you’re expected to have a certain amount of skill or expertise. An employer might ask you to use or learn new software, computer systems, or applications. The difference between an average user and a hacker is that a hacker learns the structures of these programs in order to exploit them.
A common misconception is that all hackers are criminals. In reality, hackers have the skill set necessary to exploit digital loopholes in both positive and negative ways.
Cybersecurity experts are sometimes called “white hat” hackers. These “good hackers” use their expertise to ensure that a malicious hacker cannot steal information.
For example, you might hire a hacker to bug-test software and ensure that there are no security vulnerabilities. They are experts at finding loopholes that can lead to breaches. The government even employs professional hackers to ensure that the most sensitive data is secure at all times.
You might also have heard the term “ethical hacker.” That may seem like an oxymoron if you begin with the assumption that all hackers are criminals. Essentially, an ethical hacker is a white hat hacker who works to strengthen an organization’s internal security.
In contrast, the average person should worry about are the opposite: “black hat” hackers.
What Are Black Hat Hackers?
Unfortunately, crime does pay. As long as there is money involved, there will be criminal hackers. These professionals exploit the vulnerabilities and loopholes that ethical hackers miss.
Most of the money hackers make comes from the act of harvesting and selling your data. These professionals have the same skills and knowledge as cybersecurity professionals, but use it for their own gain.
It can be hard to trace malicious hackers. They work using untraceable TOR browsers. They often deal in cryptocurrency and use their own knowledge of security to keep their identities hidden.
Someone might hire a hacker to steal data, compromise systems, or make devastating changes to your networks. They may also choose to seek out vulnerable systems so they can hold data “ransom” in exchange for large sums of money. When this data is sensitive or compromises the privacy of clients or patients, businesses might pay for its return.
In essence, these professionals seek to compromise an organization’s finances. Organizations that operate under HIPAA have a lot to lose if a hacker breaches sensitive data. It’s important to work with ethical cybersecurity professionals to remediate dangerous vulnerabilities.
Should You Worry About Amateur Hackers?
Unlike professional hackers, amateur hackers aren’t likely to be looking for large sums of money. They look at security systems like puzzles and hack them for the thrill of breaking in. If you think of your organization’s data security system as an escape room, the amateur hacker is the player, trying to break in for fun.
These individuals are unlikely to cause major ethical issues or financial burdens. Even so, they can create havoc and inconvenience.
Ethical hackers may also unknowingly alert professionals to vulnerabilities in your system. This can raise the stakes in a dangerous way, leading to exploitation.
Ultimately, any vulnerability in your system has the potential to become a major breach. Any data breach can lead to potentially severe repercussions.
If you are lucky enough to be hacked by an “amateur” then you have received a gift. The gift is the opportunity to close security loopholes before a malicious hacker can do more severe damage.
The right security solution can help you ensure that no hacker can gain access to your organization’s most sensitive data.
Stay Safe From Cyber Attacks with CSECURELY
A professional hacker knows the ins and outs of a digital world that the average internet user will never see. To prevent attacks, you need to have systems in place designed to keep your data and information safe. A managed security service is the best defense against malicious behavior, technical problems, and privacy concerns.
At CSECURELY, we can help you detect, prevent, and stop cyber attacks right in their tracks. Reach out today to learn more about the custom security solutions that we can offer your small business or organization. There is no better match for a professional hacker than the passionate professionals at CSECURELY.