Nov 4, 2025 09:52 AM
(This post was last modified: Nov 4, 2025 09:53 AM by JoshAllen.)
Types of Hackers
In the hacking world, there are 3 main colors of hats you will hear about; Black, white, and gray.
This terminology came from western movies. Black hats = Bad guys. White hats = Good guys.
In cyber security, these hats describe a hackers intent, legality, and ethics.
Black Hat A black hat hacker is someone who maliciously searches for exploits and vulnerabilities.
Typically using hacking techniques such as malware to cause harm.
These kind of hackers may break laws while hacking.
Some of the illegal methods they may use include malware, phishing, etc.
Their overall goal can be for personal gain, revenge, or just fun.
White Hat
White hat hackers are also known as ethical hackers.
Their goal is to find vulnerabilities that a black hat may find.
They will disclose their findings and patch the vulnerabilities.
White hats only hack networks when they are permitted to do so.
The methods they will use are legal, such as penetration testing. Their overall goal is to protect systems and users.
Gray Hat
This is a mixture of black hat and white hat. They don't typically hack with bad intentions, but will hack without legal authorization.
The term is also used for black hat hackers that are now considered a white hat.
Their methods can be illegal, but usually report the findings after.
Their goal can vary. Usually it is our of curiosity, but will sometimes do for personal or monetary gain.
Other Hats
Some people have tried to add additional hats to define more types of hackers. These aren't commonly used, but you may come across them.
Green Hat - Beginner. They will lack skills, but have motivation to learn.
Red Hat - Vigilante hacker. They go after black hats by destroying their tools.
They will use illegal methods, but the work they do is "for good."
Yellow Hat - They are ethical hackers that spread good information about security, instead of actually hacking like white hats.
Blue Hat - Is a hacker hired by a company to find and fix vulnerabilties.
Purple Hat - It is a mix of blue and red. Mixing the offensive and defensive side to overall improve security posture.
In the hacking world, there are 3 main colors of hats you will hear about; Black, white, and gray.
This terminology came from western movies. Black hats = Bad guys. White hats = Good guys.
In cyber security, these hats describe a hackers intent, legality, and ethics.
Black Hat A black hat hacker is someone who maliciously searches for exploits and vulnerabilities.
Typically using hacking techniques such as malware to cause harm.
These kind of hackers may break laws while hacking.
Some of the illegal methods they may use include malware, phishing, etc.
Their overall goal can be for personal gain, revenge, or just fun.
White Hat
White hat hackers are also known as ethical hackers.
Their goal is to find vulnerabilities that a black hat may find.
They will disclose their findings and patch the vulnerabilities.
White hats only hack networks when they are permitted to do so.
The methods they will use are legal, such as penetration testing. Their overall goal is to protect systems and users.
Gray Hat
This is a mixture of black hat and white hat. They don't typically hack with bad intentions, but will hack without legal authorization.
The term is also used for black hat hackers that are now considered a white hat.
Their methods can be illegal, but usually report the findings after.
Their goal can vary. Usually it is our of curiosity, but will sometimes do for personal or monetary gain.
Other Hats
Some people have tried to add additional hats to define more types of hackers. These aren't commonly used, but you may come across them.
Green Hat - Beginner. They will lack skills, but have motivation to learn.
Red Hat - Vigilante hacker. They go after black hats by destroying their tools.
They will use illegal methods, but the work they do is "for good."
Yellow Hat - They are ethical hackers that spread good information about security, instead of actually hacking like white hats.
Blue Hat - Is a hacker hired by a company to find and fix vulnerabilties.
Purple Hat - It is a mix of blue and red. Mixing the offensive and defensive side to overall improve security posture.
