Artcle Contents
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to our exciting journey through the complicate area of Hacking Techniques, where the digital frontier meets the endless possibilities of technology. Hacking, often portrayed as a blurry and enigmatic world, is more than just a buzzword or a subject of Hollywood thrillers. It's a multifaceted field that encompasses both ethical and malicious hacking practices, constantly evolving to shape the way we interact with the digital universe.
Hacking activity
Whether you're an aspiring cybersecurity enthusiast, a curious individual looking to understand the mysteries of hacking, or someone concerned about the evolution of hacking and safeguarding your online presence, this article is designed to shed light on the subject from various angles.
So, if you're ready to embark on a journey through the complicate world of hacking techniques, fasten your seatbelts, and get ready to unravel the mysteries, understand the genesis, and discover the power of knowledge in defending against digital threats. Whether you're here to sharpen your cybersecurity skills or simply quench your curiosity, this article promises to be an eye-opening adventure into the digital frontier of hacking techniques.
HACKING DEFINITION AND OVERVIEW
Hacking Technology, commonly referred to as hacking, is the practice of exploiting vulnerabilities and weaknesses in computer systems, networks, or software with the intent of gaining unauthorized access, manipulation of data, or causing disruption of the system. This activity involves a range of techniques, and methods that could be used for various purposes, which include:
- Unauthorized Access: Hackers may employ different technique methods, like password cracking, social engineering, or exploiting security flaws to gain entry to computer systems, networks, or online accounts without a due proper authorization from the system admins.
- Data Manipulation: Hacking can involve altering or stealing data stored in the computer systems or databases. This activity could include modifying records, deleting information, or copying sensitive data for illicit purposes from the systems.
- Disruption: Some hacking activity may seek to disrupt the normal operation of computer systems or networks. This may involve launching an attack, such as Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack, which overwhelm a system with traffic to make it inaccessible to visitors of the system, or by injecting malicious code to disrupt software operations.
- Espionage: This activity of hacking is mostly a State-sponsored. These set of hackers or cybercriminals may engage in hacking to gather intelligence, steal trade secrets, or access confidential information for financial or political gain.
- Security Testing: Ethical hackers, also known as "white hat" hackers. Ethical hackers used hacking techniques to assess the security of systems and networks. They do so with permission from the system Admins or board of executives to identify and fix vulnerabilities, making systems more secure.
Distributed Denal of Service Attack
TYPES OF HACKERS
Now, it’s time to explore the different hacking domains - a digital wild west with characters as diverse as any Netflix series. Meet the Black Hats, the outlaws causing chaos; the White Hats, cyber sheriffs who identify vulnerabilities in the systems and provide protection for us; and the Gray Hats, unpredictable mercenaries navigating the shades of morality. Don't forget the Hacktivists, the rebels fighting for a cause, and the Script Kiddies, the curious novices of the hacking world. Follow me as I unravel the motives and methods of these digital cowboys in the upcoming section of this article!
1 - White Hackers - The Unsung Heroes of Cyberspace:
Let's dive into the mysterious realm of white hat hackers and their art of ethical wizardry, who used their magic for good and protecting us all from the dark forces of cyber threats.
Now, you might be wondering, what in this virtual universe is a white hat hacker? Picture it this way: white hat hackers are the Sherlock Holmes of the cyber universe, putting on virtuous hats, committed to legally detecting through digital landscapes to uncover vulnerabilities before the bad guys do.
Think of them as the guardians of the digital realm, making sure our online fortresses are impenetrable to malicious invaders. They are the Jedi knights armed with keyboards and code, using their skills not for personal gain, but to keep the force of cybersecurity strong within the digital universe.
Digital Guardian
2 - Black Hat Hackers: The Digital Notorious Guys
In the internet landscape, there are people who aren't using their computer skills for good. Instead, these people used their knowledge to do harmful things. These men with evil intentions are called the black hat hackers. They don't wear the good guy "white hats"! instead, they're like digital bandits, causing trouble and chaos wherever they go on the system.
These hackers aren't just messing around or exploring the internet out of curiosity. They have a darker purpose. They're not looking for problems in computer systems to fix them. Instead, they want to cause harm, steal information, or create chaos.
One of their favourite activities in the realm of digital universe is identity theft. Imagine someone taking your personal information, like your credit card details or social security number, without you even been realizing it. The Equifax breach in 2017 is a good example of these bad guys activities. Hackers broke into Equifax, a big company that keeps track of people's credit information. The breach exposed the personal details of almost 147 million people, letting the hackers use the information for their own gains.
Another nasty trick the black hat hackers is ransomware. In 2017, a notorious ransomware attack called WannaCry spread like a digital plague. It locked people out of their computers and demanded money (in the form of Bitcoin) for them to get their files back. Hospitals, businesses, and regular people were all affected, facing the choice of paying up or losing their important data.
These hackers have many other tricks, like tricking people into giving away their sensitive information or launching attacks that overwhelm online services in the form of Phishing and DDoS attacks.
Digital Bandits
3 - Grey Hat Hackers and Their Uncertain Path
In the world of cybersecurity, imagine hackers like characters in a story. There exist the good characters (white hats), and the bad characters (black hats). But there's another group of characters in the middle, called the Grey Hat Hackers. They're like digital adventurers, not completely good or bad, creating a puzzle for us to solve.
Digital Adventurers
Who Are the Grey Hats?
Some of us might ask, who are these grey hat hackers? Think of a person in a hoodie, sitting in front of a computer screen, doing mysterious things. That's the usual image of a hacker. Grey hats are like chameleons, moving between doing good and maybe not-so-good things. They're not totally bad, but they're not following all the rules like the good guys either.
4 - Hacktivists: Meet the Digital Changemakers - Internet Heroes for a Better World
What a fascinating digital advocacy! Hacktivism, which sounds like a blend of hacking and activism, and that's exactly what it is.
Imagine a superhero in a digital cape, fighting for justice not with fists, but with computer skills. That's a hacktivist. These guys used their tech powers not for personal gain but to make the world a better place. They're like the rebels of the internet, taking on as bad guys and shaking up the way things are.
Digital Superhero in a Digital Cape, Fighting for Justice not with Fists, but with Computer Skills.
But why do they do it? They are not doing it for fun! It's because they want to expose bad stuff mostly from political figures, support human rights, and challenge the way things are. They're like modern-day Davids, fighting against digital monsters.
Now after we realized who Hacktivists are, let's talk about what happens in the real world. Ever heard of Anonymous? They're like digital superheroes without a face, taking on everyone from bad governments to giant companies. They used their digital skills to uncover secrets and show everyone what's really going on around the globe.
5 - Script Kiddies:
In the world of online mischief, there's a group of not-so-expert hackers called Script Kiddies. Instead of being computer geniuses, think of them as troublemakers with just enough knowledge to cause chaos online.
These guys aren't the typical hackers you see in movies with dark hoodies. They're more like beginners who use pre-made tools to mess around in the digital world.
But why do they do it? Script Kiddies aren't usually after money or big goals. They're in it for the thrill, the excitement of playing with digital fire, and maybe getting a bit of attention.
Script Kiddies
HISTORICAL EVOLUTION OF HACKING
ORIGIN OF HACKING
The origin of hacking can be traced back to the early days of computing in the 1950s and 1960s, with notable contributions from organizations such as the MIT's Tech Model Railroad Club (TMRC), and by the use of early computers as TX-0. Hacking in this context had a different meaning than it does today, and it was more on exploration, experimentation, and pushing the limits of technology. Here's a brief overview of the early hacking influences:
- MIT's Tech Model Railroad Club (TMRC):
The Tech Model Railroad Club was a group of computer enthusiasts at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The TMRC members were early computer hobbyists who had access to some of the earliest computers, such as the TX-0 and PDP-1. These tech club used the computers to explore their capabilities and develop programming tricks. These early hackers at TMRC were interested in pushing the boundaries of what these computers could do.
MIT Tech Model Railroad Club
- The TX-0 Computer:
The TX-0 (Transistorized Experimental computer Zero) was an early computer that played a significant role in the history of hacking. It was one of the first computers to be accessible by a group of students, including members from the TMRC members. The TX-0 provided a platform for experimentation and learning, and hackers at MIT of TMRC group started developing software for it, including games and creative programming projects.
Transistorized Experimental Computer Zero (TX-0)
- Hacking as Exploration:
In the context of these early computers and groups like the TMRC, hacking was more about exploration and experimentation with the available technology. It involved writing and modifying code to make the computers perform new and creative tasks. Hacking was a way to gain a deeper understanding of the computer systems and the capabilities of these computers. - Emergence of Hacker Culture:
The culture of hacking that emerged in those early days laid the foundation for the hacker culture that was evolved over time. It was characterized by a sense of curiosity, a desire to understand and manipulate technology, and a willingness to share knowledge and expertise within the community.
KEY MILESTONES IN HACKING HISTORY
The world of hacking and cybersecurity has seen several major milestones, both in terms of advancements and threats. Here are some notable events, including the creation of the first computer worm and other significant developments in hacking:
- Phreaking in the 1970s:
In the 1970s, "phreaking" emerged, which involved exploiting the phone system to make free long-distance calls. Phreakers like John Draper, known as "Captain Crunch", used tone-generating devices to manipulate the phone system. - The Cult of the Dead Cow (cDc):
The cDc is a well-known hacking group that formed in the early 1980s and is credited with developing various hacking tools and techniques. The group also played a role in raising awareness about online privacy and security issues.
cDc's most famous tool is Back Orifice, a remote administration tool for Windows systems. - Release of First Computer Virus (1981):
Although computer viruses predate the Morris Worm, the release of the "Elk Cloner" virus in 1981 by Richard Skrenta is one of the earliest documented instances. It infected Apple II systems through infected floppy disks and displayed a playful message, illustrating the potential for malicious code to spread.
Elk Cloner virus
- Morris Worm (1988):
The Morris Worm, created by Robert Tappan Morris, Jr., is considered the first computer worm to gain notoriously widespread. Launched in 1988, Morris Worm inadvertently caused significant disruptions on the early internet. The worm exploited vulnerabilities in Unix systems, primarily through weak passwords and software flaws. Its unintended impact led to increased awareness of computer security and the need for more robust measures to protect against such threats.
Morris Worm Virus
- Creation of First Phishing Attacks (mid-1990s):
The term "phishing" was coined in the mid-1990s, and the first documented phishing attacks emerged soon after. Phishing typically involves tricking individuals into revealing personal information or login credentials by posing as a trustworthy entity. These attacks have become a common method for cybercriminals to steal information and credentials.
Pishing Explained
- Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs):
APTs are highly sophisticated, long-term cyberattacks often attributed to nation-state actors. Notable APT groups, such as APT29 (Cozy Bear) and APT28 (Fancy Bear), have been implicated in a range of cyber-espionage and cyber-sabotage activities, including election interference and data breaches. - Stuxnet (2010):
Stuxnet is a computer worm that was also believed to have been created by nation-states, notably the United States and Israel, to target Iran's nuclear program. It was one of the first instances of a malware designed specifically for cyber-physical systems, and it demonstrated the potential for cyberattacks on critical infrastructure. - Ransomware Epidemics:
The emergence of ransomware in the 21st century has been a significant development in hacking. Notable ransomware attacks, such as WannaCry (2017) and NotPetya (2017), have caused widespread disruption. The rise of ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) models has made it easier for cybercriminals to deploy ransomware attacks for financial gain.
WannaCry (Screenshot 2017) virus
- Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks:
DDoS attacks have been used to overwhelm websites or online services with excessive traffic, rendering them temporarily inaccessible to the users or visitors. The concept of DDoS attacks dates back to late 1990s, and their frequency and scale have increased over the years. Notable instances include the 2007 attacks on Estonia and the 2016 Dyn cyberattack.
DDoS Attack Explained
- Exploits of Zero-Day Vulnerabilities:
The discovery and exploitation of zero-day vulnerabilities, which are undisclosed software vulnerabilities, are a continuous concern in cybersecurity. Hackers, including both cybercriminals and nation-states, have used zero-day exploits to compromise systems before security patches can be developed and deployed for that software system.
The world of hacking techniques is a multifaceted and ever-evolving field that encompasses both ethical and malicious practices. This blog page aims to shed lights on hacking as introductory, exploring its origins, different hacking domains, and historical milestones on hacking.