: These individuals break into systems with malicious intent, such as stealing data or committing financial fraud.
: These hackers sit in the middle, often finding vulnerabilities without permission but not necessarily with malicious intent, though their actions are still technically illegal. Famous Figures and Groups
The history of hacking is shaped by notable individuals and collectives: Hackek
: These are ethical security professionals who use their skills for good, often helping organizations find and fix vulnerabilities.
: A global "hacktivist" collective known for its leaderless structure and its members' use of Guy Fawkes masks. : These individuals break into systems with malicious
: Once known as the "world's most wanted hacker," he specialized in social engineering —tricking people into giving up sensitive information.
: Famous for stopping the devastating WannaCry ransomware attack, though he later faced legal issues for previous activities. : A global "hacktivist" collective known for its
Not all hackers have the same intent. They are often categorized by "hats" to denote their ethics: