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Learn about the different meanings and uses of the term "hacker" in computer technology, security, programming and culture. Explore the origins, controversies, examples and subcultures of hackers and hacking.
Learn about the different types, motives, and methods of hackers, and how to protect against them. Cisco offers security solutions for people, processes, and technology to prevent and respond to hacking attacks.
The term hacker has historically been a divisive one, sometimes being used as a term of admiration for individuals who exhibit a high degree of skill and creativity in their approach to technical problems. However, the term is also commonly applied to individuals who use this skill for illegal or unethical purposes.
Hackers break into computer systems, while refers to activities that seek to compromise digital devices, such as computers, smartphones, tablets, and even entire networks. Hackers are motivated by personal gain, to make a statement, or just because they can. Read more below and protect yourself from hackers today.
Hacking is the act of identifying and then exploiting weaknesses in a computer system or network, usually to gain unauthorized access to personal or organizational data. Hacking is not always a malicious activity, but the term has mostly negative connotations due to its association with cybercrime.
The attack, detected in July 2024, involved infiltrating the target network via compromised credentials for a VPN portal that lacked multi-factor authentication (MFA), with the threat actors conducting post-exploitation actions 18 days after initial access took place.
The classic example is a cybercriminal who exploits security vulnerabilities to break into a network and steal data. But hacking does not always have malicious purposes. A consumer who jiggers their personal smartphone to run custom programs is also, technically speaking, a hacker.
