When people think of computer hacking, they often imagine what they see in the movies. They believe that hackers need to use high-tech computer systems, frantically typing code as green letters appear on the screen.
But in reality, hacking just means gaining unauthorized access to a system. This can be done in many ways. For instance, a phishing attack is an attempt to get someone to turn over their login information or other sensitive details that can be used to access the system. If the phishing attack is successful, more complex software isn’t even needed.
What is the goal of hacking?
The goal of gaining access to a system differs depending on the situation. In some cases, it’s neutral and has no detrimental impact. In many cases, the goal is to steal data—such as when someone hacks into a database containing customer records and payment information. In other cases, hacking could actually be positive. Intelligence agencies employ hackers to attempt to gain access to their own systems so they can identify areas where security defenses need to be upgraded.
A related concept is that of a cyberattack. The main difference is that a cyberattack is always harmful. The goal is either to harm individual users or to damage the system itself. For instance, a cyberattack could involve gaining access to a computer network in order to shut down an electrical grid. Hacking is an element of this, but a cyberattack takes things a step further in an effort to cause harm.
Are you facing legal charges?
If you’ve been accused of hacking, running a phishing scam, perpetrating a cyberattack or committing another type of computer crime, it is imperative that you understand all of the legal defense options at your disposal.
