black-hat
Cybercriminal with intent
Black-hat describes hackers who break into computer systems for malicious purposes—stealing data, spreading malware, or causing damage for profit or mischief.
The term comes from old Western films where villains wore black hats.
It contrasts with white-hat hackers, who use the same skills for legitimate security testing.
Black-hat hackers exploited the vulnerability before it was patched.
Unauthorized system accessor
- exploitNotable act or abuse
- breachBreaking of agreement
- penetrationEntry into something
- unauthorizedNot officially permitted
compromise · backdoor · cracking · intrusion · defacement · exfiltration · cyberattack · zero-day
Microscopic infectious agent
- wormLimbless soil invertebrate
- ransomwareHostage-taking code
- spywareHidden surveillance program
- keyloggerSoftware recording typed input
botnet · rootkit · adware · backdoor · payload · dropper · logic bomb · scareware
Fraudulent credential harvesting
- scamDishonest money-making scheme
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- identity theftStealing personal data criminally
- cardingPreparing fibers for spinning
skimming · dark web · cybercriminal · social engineering · spearphishing · spoofing · money laundering · extortion
hacker
Unauthorized system accessor
- exploitNotable act or abuse
- breachBreaking of agreement
- penetrationEntry into something
unauthorized · compromise · backdoor · cracking · intrusion · defacement · exfiltration · cyberattack · zero-day · vulnerability
virus
Microscopic infectious agent
- wormLimbless soil invertebrate
- ransomwareHostage-taking code
- spywareHidden surveillance program
keylogger · botnet · rootkit · adware · backdoor · payload · dropper · logic bomb · scareware · malvertising
phishing
Fraudulent credential harvesting
- scamDishonest money-making scheme
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- identity theftStealing personal data criminally
carding · skimming · dark web · cybercriminal · social engineering · spearphishing · spoofing · money laundering · extortion · blackmail
cloaking
Act of hiding something
- hidden textConcealed characters in documents
- spammingMass unsolicited messaging
- scrapingRubbing away material
black-hatwhite-hat
Authorized security tester
security researcher · defender · blue team · security analyst · gray-hat
black, hat, blacker, blackest, blackly, blackness, blacken, blackened, blackening