Page 4 - Security Threats new3

2. Hacking and Cyber Vandalism

What is Hacking?

➢ Hacking is the gaining of access (wanted or unwanted) to a computer and viewing,
copying, or creating data (leaving a trace) without the intention of destroying data or
maliciously harming the computer.

➢ Hacking is a broad term used to describe many complex activities where in the end
goal is typically to obtain access to a computer system’s servers, database(s), or
stored files. This access may be any combination or desired or undesired, and legal
or illegal.

Hacker

o A hacker is any person engaged in hacking.

o Person who gains authorized / unauthorized
access to a computer without the intention of
causing damage.

o In the computer security context, a hacker is someone who seeks and exploits
weaknesses in a computer system or computer network. Hackers may be motivated
by a multitude of reasons, such as profit, protest, challenge, enjoyment, or to
evaluate those weaknesses to assist in removing them. The subculture that has
evolved around hackers is often referred to as the computer underground.