Do you need to know why hackers do the things they do?
Hackers often get depicted as conspiratorial tech-lovers who are fighting against ‘the man’. They’re lone wolves who wear hoodies and live in their parent’s basements.
How realistic is this perception, though? Why do hackers hack, anyway? Understanding a hacker’s motives can help you protect yourself from becoming a victim.
So, how can you keep yourself safe in 2020 and beyond? Read on to discover what motivates hackers and how to keep your data safe.
Why Do Hackers Hack?
The media’s depiction of hackers has some truth to it, but who are hackers exactly?
The term hacker represents people who use technology to solve problems. These individuals are often computer experts with advanced technological knowledge.
In most situations, a hacker starts their hacking career out of curiosity. They’re interested in learning about computers, the internet, and networks. Their passion leads to a specific skill set, which they can then apply in their everyday lives.
Hackers use their skills for ethical reasons or criminal enterprises. Others get motivated by political happenings and even more hack for fun. That’s why experts put hackers into three distinct groups.
Types of Hackers
These three groups of hackers all wear different hats. Below, we’ll get into each group and what motivates them to hack.
Black Hats
Black hats don’t mind breaking the law. They’re motivated to steal data for profit, blackmail, or personal gain.
Black hat hackers target individuals, businesses, hospitals, and even city governments.
White Hats
The media tends to focus on criminal hackers, but most hackers are professionals. They work for businesses, law enforcement agencies, and even the government.
White hat hackers hack to oppose black hat hackers. They’re considered ethical.
Grey Hats
Remember when Anonymous hackers took down the DOJ’s website? This subgroup of hackers is the stereotype perpetuated by the media.
They don’t hack for personal gain, but they may do unethical things. They’re often motivated to expose vulnerabilities to the public. Other motivations include political happenings or revenge.
Multi-Factor Authentication: How to Stump Hackers
Nefarious hackers rely on the average person’s lack of technical knowledge. They prey on individuals who fail to use good security measures.
What does that mean for you? It means that you need to invest in cybersecurity measures for protection. Multi-factor authentication is a great measure to use. Here’s why:
- You’ll need to verify several pieces of information for access
- It protects against phishing attacks
- It works anywhere
- It works in real-time
Smarter authentication methods mean fewer data breaches.
Keep Your Digital Data Secure From Hackers
Why do hackers hack? To put it bluntly, they do it because they can. Your security measures are the only thing between your data and hackers.
This year, step up your security game by investing in cybersecurity.
Are you interested in a multi-factor authentication solution to protect your data? If so, then the products and solutions we offer can help. Reach out to us on our online form, and together we’ll find a solution that’s right for you.
