Hackers use a variety of tools and techniques to gain access to sensitive information or to cause harm to computer systems.
To better understand hacking and how to protect yourself, it’s essential to know some common hacking terms.
In this blog, we’ll cover ten must-know hacking terms that you should be aware of to stay informed
#10. Social Engineering
Social engineering is a technique used by hackers to manipulate people into divulging sensitive information or performing actions that could compromise security.
It involves psychological manipulation and relies on human interaction to succeed.
#9. Malware
Short for malicious software, malware is a type of software designed to harm or exploit any device it infects.
It can include viruses, Trojans, ransomware, and other types of harmful software.
#8. Brute Force Attack
A brute force attack is a trial-and-error method used by hackers to crack passwords or encryption by attempting all possible combinations until they find the correct one.
It can be time-consuming but can be successful if the password is weak or poorly constructed.
#7. Phishing
Phishing is a form of social engineering that involves tricking individuals into divulging sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, or credit card details.
This is often done through emails or other digital communications that appear legitimate but are actually fake.
#6. Denial-of-Service Attack
A denial-of-service (DoS) attack is an attack in which a hacker floods a network, website, or server with traffic or requests, rendering it inaccessible to users.
The goal is to disrupt normal business operations or cause damage to the targeted organization.
#5. SQL Injection
SQL injection is a technique used by hackers to exploit vulnerabilities in websites and web applications that use SQL databases.
It involves injecting malicious SQL code into a form or input field, which can then be executed by the database server, giving the hacker access to sensitive data.
#4. Man-in-the-Middle Attack
A man-in-the-middle (MitM) attack involves an attacker intercepting communications between two parties, such as a user and a website, to steal sensitive information or perform other malicious activities.
The attacker can intercept and alter messages, impersonate one of the parties, or insert malware into the communication stream.
#3. Zero-Day Exploit
A zero-day exploit is an attack that takes advantage of a vulnerability that is unknown to the software or hardware vendor, making it difficult to defend against.
Attackers use these exploits to gain access to systems, steal data, or plant malware.
#2. Backdoor
A backdoor is a secret method of bypassing normal authentication or security controls in a system, allowing a hacker to gain access to a device or network undetected.
These can be built into software by developers or inserted by attackers.
#1. Exploit
An exploit is a piece of code or software that takes advantage of a vulnerability in software or hardware to gain unauthorized access, perform a malicious action, or cause a system to crash.
Hackers use exploits to carry out attacks and gain access to systems, steal data, or plant malware.
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