Editing Hacker (section)

=== Security related hacking ===

[[Security hacker]]s are people involved with circumvention of computer security. There are several types, including:

;[[White hat (computer security)|White hat]]:Hackers who work to keep data safe from other hackers by finding system [[Vulnerability (computing)|vulnerabilities]] that can be mitigated. White hats are usually employed by the target system's owner and are typically paid (sometimes quite well) for their work. Their work is not illegal because it is done with the system owner's consent.

;[[Black hat hacking|Black hat]] or Cracker:Hackers with malicious intentions. They often steal, exploit, and sell data, and are usually motivated by personal gain. Their work is usually illegal. A cracker is like a black hat hacker,<ref>{{Cite web|title=What are crackers and hackers? {{!}} Security News|url=http://www.pctools.com/security-news/crackers-and-hackers/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515044743/http://www.pctools.com/security-news/crackers-and-hackers/|archive-date=May 15, 2011|access-date=2016-09-10|website=www.pctools.com}}</ref> but is specifically someone who is very skilled and tries via hacking to make profits or to benefit, not just to vandalize. Crackers find exploits for system vulnerabilities and often use them to their advantage by either selling the fix to the system owner or selling the exploit to other black hat hackers, who in turn use it to steal information or gain royalties.

;[[Grey hat]]:Computer security experts who may sometimes violate laws or typical [[Hacker ethic|ethical standards]], but do not have the malicious intent typical of a black hat hacker.