There are numerous benefits to using fake hacking to test your cybersecurity. The first is to identify any vulnerabilities before criminals take advantage of them. Secondly, it’s a way to demonstrate to your team and customers that you commit to security. Finally, it supplies the insights you need to prioritize future cybersecurity investments.
It’s easier to detect
There are numerous benefits to using fake hacking to test your cybersecurity. The first is to identify any vulnerabilities before criminals take advantage of them. Secondly, it’s a way to demonstrate to your team and customers that you commit to security. Finally, it supplies the insights you need to prioritize future cybersecurity investments. The traditional view of a hacker is that of a shady kid in a basement with some angry code and the ability to break into computer systems and hardware. The truth is that cybercriminals are highly sophisticated and use advanced attack methods to go undetected by cybersecurity software and IT teams. There are many different reasons why hackers would attack a website or system. The most obvious is financial gain, either from credit card theft or the theft of sensitive information like social security numbers. Other motivations include corporate espionage, where a hacker tries to steal information on a competitor’s product or service, or nation states who hack to access classified data and intelligence. Some politically motivated hackers attempt to draw attention to a cause by releasing sensitive information like the groups Anonymous and WikiLeaks. One of the most dangerous attacks is the evil twin attack, where a hacker sets up a fake Wi-Fi network with a name that looks similar to the original in public places where people are likely to connect. When a device connects to a malicious connection, it can be monitored and infiltrated with malware through a man-in-the-middle technique. By spoofing DNS servers and using tools like dnsmasq to create captive portals, the fake Wi-Fi can seem much more legitimate than the original to unsuspecting victims.
It’s more effective
Unlike hardware, which is easy to protect (you can lock it away or buy a spare), information poses more of a challenge. It can exist in multiple places and be moved across the globe in seconds. Plus, new hacker tricks and tools are emerging constantly. Hackers can exploit vulnerabilities in systems and networks, wreaking havoc for their financial gain or out of sheer malice. They can steal personal data and blackmail victims by threatening to publish embarrassing videos or other malicious content. Or they can use phishing, malware, or peer-to-peer file sharing to infiltrate a computer system and install a ransomware program. As billions of people hook up tens of millions of new gadgets to the internet, hackers can find entry points into computer networks. Black hat hackers are gaining ground, with their numbers and capabilities proliferating. And as the global economy shifts toward the service sector, many more businesses are becoming targets for hackers. In addition to black hat hackers, there are also grey hat hackers who seek to exploit weaknesses in computer systems and networks without malicious intent. These hackers are a little like security researchers, but they may sell their discoveries to malicious hackers for a price. Red team hacking companies also conduct ethical hacking exercises, simulating real-world cyberattacks on an organization’s systems and networks to improve its defenses.
It’s less expensive
A good hacker can earn more than a small fortune selling stolen passwords or other sensitive information on the dark web. Hacking is often a global problem, and it’s difficult for authorities to stop. Even when they shut down a site in one country, it’s easy for black-hat hackers to set up a new operation somewhere else. Some hackers work alone, while others are part of large organized crime groups. The criminals may be motivated by greed or a desire to be noticed for their accomplishments. They may also try to make money by stealing personal information or committing fraud. The criminals often shop on the dark web, selling their malicious software to other hackers or using it for their profit. Other hackers are more ethical in their motives. These are known as white hat hackers. They have permission to enter computer systems or networks, and they identify weaknesses that cybercriminals can exploit. They report their findings to the owners and inform hardware or software vendors of their discoveries. Ethical hackers can help businesses take preventive measures against attacks. They can fix vulnerabilities before a cybercriminal can take advantage of them and offer feedback on improving security in the future. This can help businesses comply with data security requirements, such as ISO 27001 or GDPR.
It’s more socially acceptable
In popular culture, hackers are often portrayed as evil-doers, but not all are evil. There are white hat hackers, also known as ethical hackers, who have been trained to spot system security flaws before the bad guys do. These people work with organizations to improve their cyber security. Corporations hire these individuals as part of their support teams, and services such as HackerOne offer them a chance to earn money by identifying vulnerabilities in software products and other technologies. Black hat hackers are more common and less scrupulous. They are typically motivated by a desire for financial gain, protest, or information gathering. For example, they might target competitors to steal their trade secrets. Or, they may hack into a government system to access classified documents or interfere with elections. They can also be motivated by revenge, such as targeting political dissidents or people they dislike for their activism. Gray hat hackers fall in the middle of this spectrum. They are like black hats in that they break the rules but don’t act with malice or intent. They might publicize their exploits, which alerts malicious actors to a weakness in their security systems. Or, they might use a trial and error method to guess passwords by testing all possible combinations. These hackers might send emails or messages to a person’s contact list or leave embarrassing information on their social media pages. They might even alter sensitive communications or images and send them to others.