HACKING AND
CRACKING
Understanding Cyber Threats and Ethical Hacking
INTRODUCTION TO
HACKING AND CRACKING
• Hacking refers to unauthorized access to or
manipulation of computer systems.
• Cracking involves malicious activities like
breaking into systems, stealing data, or
disrupting operations.
• While hacking can be ethical, cracking is
always illegal and harmful.
TYPES OF HACKERS
• White Hat Hackers: Ethical hackers who
identify and fix security vulnerabilities.
• Black Hat Hackers: Criminal hackers who
exploit systems for malicious purposes.
• Grey Hat Hackers: Hackers who operate in
the middle, often without malicious intent but
without authorization.
HACKING VS CRACKING
• Hacking is often legal when done ethically to
improve cybersecurity.
• Cracking is illegal, focusing on unauthorized
access and malicious damage.
• Ethical hacking helps businesses protect
sensitive data from cyber threats.
COMMON HACKING
TECHNIQUES
• Phishing: Deceiving users into revealing sensitive
information.
• Malware: Using malicious software like viruses, worms,
and ransomware.
• DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) Attacks:
Overloading systems to cause crashes.
• SQL Injection: Exploiting databases to manipulate
data.
• Social Engineering: Manipulating people to gain
unauthorized access.
CYBERSECURITY
MEASURES
• Install and regularly update antivirus
software.
• Use firewalls to block unauthorized access.
• Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA).
• Regularly update and patch systems.
• Educate users about cybersecurity best
practices.
LEGAL ASPECTS OF
HACKING AND CRACKING
• Ethical hacking is legal when authorized for
security testing.
• Cybercrimes such as cracking are punishable
under cyber laws.
• Countries have strict regulations like the
Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) in the US
and the IT Act in India.
• Organizations often hire certified ethical hackers
(CEH) to safeguard systems.
CASE STUDIES OF
HACKING AND CRACKING
• Yahoo Data Breach (2013-2014): One of the
largest data breaches, exposing over 3 billion
accounts.
• WannaCry Ransomware (2017): A massive
ransomware attack affecting hospitals, banks, and
organizations worldwide.
• Ethical Hacking Example: Bug bounty programs
by companies like Google and Facebook reward
ethical hackers for reporting security vulnerabilities.
CONCLUSION
• Cybersecurity is crucial in the digital age.
• Ethical hacking helps protect systems and
data.
• Understanding the difference between
hacking and cracking is key to navigating the
cyber world responsibly.
• Continuous awareness and security measures
are essential for preventing cyber threats.