What is a white hat hacker?
White hat hackers, also known as “ethical hackers,” are cybersecurity specialists who test the security of systems.
Although a “white hat” uses methods similar to those of a “Black Hat” (cybercriminal) to penetrate a system, there is an essential distinction.
The ethical hacker is allowed to break into a system and expose its vulnerabilities. On the other hand, a black hat does not have it. Furthermore, black hats do it with malicious intentions, often motivated by greed. That is why their actions are illegal and punishable by law.
In general, white hat and black hackers do the same thing: they find flaws in a system. While the latter exploit these flaws, usually for profit, the ethical hacker reports them so that the system owner can fix them.
Businesses often use white hat hackers to test their systems and find security issues before a black hat can take advantage of them.
Since the definition of a hack is to access a system's data, cybercriminals and cyber defenders are both hackers. And both parties get paid to hack.
While crime generally pays well, white hat hackers also earn impressive salaries. In addition, they have multiple other sources of income.
Many tech companies offer bug bounty programs to find flaws in their systems. The “white hats” hack the system in question to find possible security flaws, and thus earn bonuses if they succeed.
If you think about it, white hat hackers don't just help businesses by improving their security. They also help consumers by ensuring that the services they use are safe and secure.
We all agree that we prefer to use a more secure service.
That's why white hat hackers are so valuable in today's digital world.
Why are hackers called “hats”?
The analogy of white hat and black hackers goes back to American western movies made between the 1920s and 1940s. At the time, the good guy usually wore a white hat hacker, while the bad guy wore a black hat.
Throughout history, white has always been considered the color of light and purity, while black has symbolized darkness and evil. That's why brides wear white dresses at their weddings. The bride and groom wear black because, well you know, they're doomed from this day on (just kidding).
Be that as it may, this black and white symbolism is why we call nice hackers white hat and cybercriminals - black hat hackers.
So now you know what a white hat hacker is and why they're called hats. However, there are several other types of hats to make things more interesting.
Difference between white hat hacking, black hat hacking, and grey hat hacking?
As in life, nothing is all black or all white. There are a lot of nuances between the two.
That's why we're going to look at the different types of hats to see who does what.
1. White hat hacker
As mentioned above, white hat hackers are the “good guys.” They are often hired by companies or participate in bug hunting programs.
White hat hacking is legal and well rewarded. With the growing need for cybersecurity specialists, white hat hacking is becoming an increasingly profitable business.
In fact, do you know what the unemployment rate is for cybersecurity specialists? 0%.
That's right - Zero! Nada! Niente!
There is not a cybersecurity specialist on Earth who cannot find a job that matches his skills! None other sector There is no demand for specialists in the world as well.
White hat hackers are wanted and well paid.
Are you already considering a career change? We will come back to it.
2. Black Hat Hacker
The Sith lords of the piracy empire are often very intelligent, but selfish creatures. Driven by greed, cybercriminals are responsible for all sorts of cyberattacks. Data breaches, DDoS attacks, ransomware, cryptojacking, and identity theft are just a few of the types of attacks that are making the headlines.
Most of them have a banal motivation: money. Cybercriminals make huge profits doing what they do.
Black hats are the supervillains of the modern world, but the media and movies make these criminals somewhat romantic. Hollywood is mostly to blame, because there isn't just one movie about “Black Hat” hackers, which makes them look cool. Movies like Swordfish, Hackers and BlackHat create a false idea of the real black hat hacker.
Make no mistake: black hat hackers are criminals, and that's it. They may look like ordinary people, but at the end of the day, they make a living by committing crimes.
Fortunately, some of them are turning to the bright side. Most often, this happens when the authorities catch them.
In general, agencies prefer to take advantage of their skills, rather than lock them up. Unfortunately, this only happens to a small percentage of “black hat” hackers.
3. Grey Hat Hacker
Grey hats are halfway between black hats and white hats. They see computer hacking more or less as a test of their skills.
They can hack into some systems, but they don't usually have the malicious intentions of “black hats.” Most often, they don't even have the skills of a black hat. At the same time, Hacker Grey Hat has no intention of becoming a white hat hacker.
So what exactly are they doing?
Well, they mostly hack to prove themselves. If piracy can allow them to make money, that's even better. When gray hat hackers find a problem in a system, they usually let the owner know. Naturally, they offer to solve the problem for a fee.
However, most of them do not exploit the vulnerability. However, what the “grey hats” do is illegal, since they do not have permission from the system owner.
Some of them even use their skills for minor crimes, such as stealing small amounts of money.
In short, they are trying to monetize their skills without exposing themselves to great risks.
These three types of hackers represent the majority of hackers in the world. However, there are several other groups in the global hacker family.
4. Blue Hat Hacker
This type of hacker hacks for revenge. They don't have great hacking skills and only target businesses or people who have harmed them. Blue hat hackers generally don't seek to improve their hacking abilities. However, they know enough to hit their target in order to satisfy their thirst for revenge.
5. Green Hat Hacker
Green hats are newbies. They are eager to learn and can't wait to become a “real” hacker as soon as possible. They are often seen at piracy conferences armed with hundreds of questions.
To put things into perspective, if hacking were a role-playing game, black hats would be level 90 hackers, while green hats would only have a single-digit level.
6. Red Hat Hacker
I left this type of hacker for last, because the very existence of Red Hat hackers is a mystery. The web doesn't know if they're real or if they're just a myth.
However, if they exist, they are the best that exist.
They are like white hat hackers, that is, they also aim to stop cybercriminals. However, the methods they use are different from those of the “white hats.” If a “black hat” attacks a system, the “white hats” want him to be prosecuted by the law. Red Hat hackers, on the other hand, are taking the law into their own hands and aim squarely at destroying the black hat, using an arsenal of techniques.
They have all the skills and tools of white hat and black hat hackers. As soon as they find a malicious hacker, they launch an all-out attack including, among other things, downloading viruses, DoS attacks or taking control of the hacker's computer.
Rumor has it that they are either vigilantes from the hacker community or “black hat” hackers recruited by agencies and operating in secret.
There is no official information about the actions of Red Hats, but it is possible that these hackers have Attacked dark web criminal marketplaces.
In short, a Red Hat hacker is motivated by the pure desire to destroy Black Hat hackers.
Now let's get back to the stars of show business.
What motivates white hat hackers?
Curiosity is the first factor that drives almost all human beings to become hackers. Not to know what something does, but what it can do. So once people discover what piracy is, a whole new world unfolds before their eyes.
Right now, they have a choice to make: use their skills for good... or not. If they find an exploit, what should they do with it? Should they report it, so that everyone can take advantage of it, or exploit it for their own benefit?
Everything depends on the ethics of the individual. Most “black hat” hackers are selfish by nature and don't care about the consequences of their actions for others.
White hat hackers, on the other hand, genuinely want to make the world a better and safer place. The great thing about them is that everyone, including you, benefits from their work.
There's another reason why an ethical hacker protects systems, instead of exploiting them: money.
The average salary for an ethical hacker in the United States is 182,214 dollars per year. In some states, it can reach up to $786,676 per year, including premiums. Compared to the average wage in the United States, which is 47,060 dollars per year, ethical hacking seems tempting.
There are also numerous bug bounty programs that offer great rewards. The largest to date is $112,500, paid by Google. The average premium paid by HackerOne is over $2,000 for critical issues.
So you see that ethical hacking can be a profitable profession. On top of that, there's the undeniable fun of creating a safer world. So let's see how they do it.
White Hat Hacker Techniques
White hat hackers earn their living through what's called penetration testing (or pen testing). Companies hire them to infiltrate the network and find potential breaches in their security policies. These tests are usually done before “black hat” hackers find the vulnerabilities and exploit them.
White hats use the same tools and techniques as black hats. They break into a system and scan the entire network to find potential problems. Once they have done so, they (or the company's security department) correct them to prevent further attacks.
The only downside to hiring white hat hackers is the cost. This service is not cheap and, in general, it limits the time ethical hackers have to find vulnerabilities. The “black hats”, on the other hand, have plenty of time to prepare an attack. Once they've infiltrated a system, they can stay there for months before launching the actual attack.
Typically, businesses run automated breach simulations to test their security. While this is a good practice, these simulations are often outdated, as “black hats” create new techniques and malicious software on a daily basis.
That's why white hat hackers remain the best cybersecurity solution. So here are a few names that are worth mentioning.
The most famous hackers in the world (white hat hackers)
There are thousands of ethical hackers working day and night to make the world a better place. While each one deserves to be appreciated, here are the five most renowned white hat hackers.
1. Kevin Mitnick
“For some people, I'll always be the bad guy.”
Kevin Mitnick is known as the most famous hacker in the world. His past as a hacker is so rich that a separate article would be needed for his story.
In short, he was a “black hat” hacker. Mitnick was on the FBI's most wanted list for hacking 40 major companies.
He was arrested in 1995 and spent five years in prison for numerous cybercrimes. One of the interesting facts about his time in prison is that he spent the first year in solitary confinement.
Why?
Because, according to officials, he could”Start a nuclear war by blowing the whistle in a telephone booth“.
After his release in 2000, Mitnick became a security consultant. His clients are Fortune 500 companies and the FBI (the agency that brought him down in the first place). Today, he runs his own cybersecurity consulting firm, called “Mitnick Security.”
Kevin Mitnick is also responsible for making the next hacker on our list famous.
2. Tsutomu Shimomura
Shimomura's name became famous after helping the FBI capture Mitnick.
You see, in 1994 Kevin Mitnick made a mistake. He stole specialized software code from Shimomura's computer, who was a cybersecurity specialist for the NSA.
Naturally, Tsumotu Shimomura took this personally and, to make a long story short, he helped the FBI catch Mitnick, by locating Mitnick's apartment.
John Markoff was a journalist for the New York Times in the 1990s. He wrote a book called “Takedown” which tells the story of Mitnick's capture. Four years later, the story appeared on the big screen thanks to the movie Track Down (known in some countries as Takedown.)
3. Dr. Charlie Miller
According to Foreign Policy, Dr. Miller is one of the “most technically proficient hackers on Earth.”
After graduating from the University of Notre Dame, he worked for the NSA for five years. Then he started working for Uber, where he dealt with autonomous vehicles.
He made a name for himself by hacking a Jeep remotely and taking full control of the vehicle. This led to the recall of 1.4 million cars due to their security breaches.
Today, Dr. Miller is working for Cruise as an expert in cybersecurity for autonomous vehicles.
4. Greg Hoglund
The name Greg Hoglund means nothing to most people, but he is well known in the hacker community.
He has made a significant contribution to security through his research on system vulnerabilities and rootkits. Rootkits are tools that allow hackers to take control of a system without being detected. He has also patented several software testing methods and written several books.
His name became better known when he exposed a major vulnerability in World of Warcraft. This discovery launched his career as an author with the book “Exploiting Online Games.”
Like other white hat hackers on our list, Hoglund has also worked with government agencies to prosecute “black hat” hackers and improve security.
Greg Hoglund founded several businesses including Cenciz, Bugsan, and HBGary.
The interesting thing about this case is that Anonymous hacked a company affiliated with HBGary, called HBGary Federal. The reason for this hack was that HBGary Federal was going to reveal the identity of Anonymous.
Today Greg Hoglund works at his company Outlier Security, which is part of Symantec.
5. Dan Kaminsky
Dan Kaminsky is one of the most famous white hat hackers.
In 2008, he discovered a DNS flaw that allowed hackers to redirect requests from one website to another in seconds. Thanks to Kaminsky's discovery, the vulnerability was fixed quickly.
Since the DNS is essential to the functioning of the web, it would be very different today without Dan Kaminsky.
Additionally, Kaminsky also discovered several vulnerabilities in the SSL protocol, which were also fixed within a few days.
Today, Dan Kaminsky is continuing his career in the security field by working as a CSO at his cybersecurity firm White Ops.
These five names have all earned the respect of the hacker community. They make the internet safer for all of us.
Now that you know what a white hat hacker is and the money and respect he can earn, why not make a career change? Sounds tempting.
How do I become a hacker (White Hat)?
What is the job of a white hat hacker, exactly?
They identify vulnerabilities, simulate attacks, and recommend security upgrades. It may seem boring on paper, but looks can be deceiving.
Here's the deal:
You can think of a system as a maze full of mysteries. The job of White Hat hackers is to go through the entire maze and solve all the puzzles it contains. This is the only way they can be sure that there is no other way in or out of the maze.
What do you need to become an ethical hacker?
Above all, computer skills. A degree in computer science or mathematics would be a good basis, although it is not mandatory.
However, there are several certifications that would look good on your resume. Like CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) or GIAC GPEN (Global Information Assurance Certification penetration tester)
There are hundreds of online courses you can take to learn the ABCs of piracy. Once you've covered that, you can take a deep dive.
How much can you win?
There are several sources of income for white hat hackers.
The first is their salary if they have a full-time job. The median salary for an ethical hacker is in the range of $70,000 to $80,000 per year.
However, the most successful hackers can earn more by participating in bug bounty programs and providing advice. The best bug-bounty hunters can win up to 500,000 dollars per year by finding flaws in the systems. Hackers on the Hackerone security platform have earned more than $31 million in bonuses since 2012.
Consultants also make a lot of money. They receive high fees of $15,000 to $45,000 per business.
Where can I find a job as an ethical hacker?
The short answer would be: everywhere.
There are computer security and network companies that are always looking for brilliant talent.
Governments and agencies are also increasing their cybersecurity budgets from year to year and are often understaffed.
Naturally, you can be freelance/self-employed and earn money through bug hunting programs and consulting.
FAQs
What does a white hat hacker do?
White hat hackers are also known as penetration testers and ethical hackers.
They are hired to look for vulnerabilities in systems before a “black hat” hacker can exploit them. They often use the same techniques as their criminal counterparts.
The difference is that an ethical hacker is allowed to infiltrate a system, while black hats do so illegally. In general, white hat hackers identify network flaws and recommend security upgrades.
It is common for white hats to correct problems themselves.
How much do hackers (white hat hackers) earn?
The average salary for an ethical hacker is $71,331 per year. Nonetheless, some of them can earn up to $500,000 per year through bug bounties and consulting firms.
Who is the best white hat hacker?
Now it's tricky. If you believe the media, it's Kevin Mitnick. He is known to be the most famous hacker in the world. Still, that doesn't necessarily mean he's the best. Many white hat hackers deserve this title. However, each of them works in different security areas, so it's questionable who is the best. We've mentioned five people who are great at what they do, but there are plenty of others who are doing a great job keeping the web safe.
What is the difference between a black hat hacker and a white hat hacker?
In other words, a “black hat” hacker is a bad guy, while a “white hat” is a good guy.
Both parties get into the systems. However, the former has malicious intentions to hack the system, while the latter does the same to improve its security. In general, the law and the motivation of the hacker define what a white hat hacker is.
However, in some countries, the line between white hat and black hackers is a bit blurry.
Summary.
Well, now you know what a white hat hacker is.
You also know what they do, how they do it, and why. You even know how much money they make and some of their names and backgrounds.
We've published numerous articles about cybersecurity and cyberattacks, but today you were able to meet the human guardians of the internet kingdom.
So if you know what hacking is and you want to make the world a better place, go ahead and become a white hat hacker. You can turn your IT skills into a lucrative career — there is a huge demand for your abilities.
For everyone else, you can at least sleep soundly knowing that all of your data has a guardian angel working to protect it.
Be careful online and see you next time.
