White hat hacker explained: ethical hacking for cybersecurity

What is a white hat hacker?

A white hat hacker is a cybersecurity professional who uses their hacking skills for ethical and legal purposes. They work with the permission of system owners to identify and report security vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them.

These ethical hackers provide full transparency into their tools and methods, disclosing all discovered vulnerabilities to the responsible parties. Their work helps organizations strengthen their defenses against cybersecurity threats and data breaches, as well as improve protection across the network perimeter.

Ethical hackers—who are they?

Have you ever watched one of those videos where people do drop tests on their phones or where automobile manufacturers crash test their cars? Why do they do that? Because it’s important to know a product’s vulnerabilities, and the only way to do this is by putting it through the worst possible scenarios.

Just as a product undergoes testing for vulnerabilities, so does a business. A key test is the hack test, where you assess a company's resilience against cybersecurity threats. White hat hacking is vital for pinpointing weaknesses in this process.

So, what is a white hat hacker? A white hat hacker (or ethical hacker) is someone a company hires to test for security vulnerabilities. To do this, the specialist uses ethical hacking to perform penetration testing (or pen testing), a simulation of repeated cyber attacks on a business’s systems. This is to say that white hat hackers use the same hacking methods that cybercriminals would use such as social engineering, viruses, worms, DDoS attacks, etc, to ensure the test mirrors reality as closely as possible.

White hat security for businesses

White hat security is a crucial layer in a modern defense strategy. White hat hacking is essential for companies aiming to stay secure from cyber threats. Here’s what it means for your business:

• Thorough security testing: Ethical hackers run comprehensive tests on your web and network infrastructure, spotting gaps your in-house team might miss.

• Proactive and ongoing protection: Their work isn’t a one-time fix—they consistently look for new vulnerabilities and offer early warnings.

• Realistic attack simulations: These professionals use attack techniques that mimic real cybercriminal behavior, offering highly reliable insights.

• Compliance and trust: White hat efforts help organizations stay compliant with standards like HIPAA or GDPR while building a trustworthy cybersecurity posture.

• Expert guidance: Beyond testing, they provide actionable recommendations for improving your defenses and reducing overall risk.

White hat hackers often work as independent specialists or internal security engineers, collaborating with businesses to protect sensitive systems before attackers can exploit them.

White hat hackers’ techniques

Ethical hackers rely on a diverse set of methods and white hat hacking tools to uncover vulnerabilities in systems and networks. They do so with permission and full transparency. Here are some of the most common ethical hacking activities:

• Vulnerability scanning: Automatically scans systems for known security flaws and misconfigurations.

• Penetration testing: Simulates real-world cyberattacks to evaluate how well systems can withstand breaches.

• Social engineering: Tests human behavior by attempting phishing or impersonation attacks to identify weak links in security awareness.

• Web application testing: Analyzes websites and online platforms for bugs or vulnerabilities, such as SQL injection or cross-site scripting.

• Network traffic analysis: Monitors and inspects data flows within the network to detect anomalies or unauthorized activities.

• Wireless security testing: Assesses Wi-Fi and other wireless networks for security weaknesses, like weak encryption or unauthorized access points.

• Password auditing and cracking: Attempts to break weak or reused passwords. (Using a business password manager can help prevent credential-related risks.)

• Reverse engineering: Deconstructs software or hardware to discover hidden flaws or analyze suspicious behavior.

• Static and dynamic code analysis: Examines source code or running applications to uncover security flaws before deployment.

These ethical hacking techniques help organizations identify and address vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them, keeping systems safer and more resilient.

What are the main goals of hiring a white hat hacker?

So, what do white hat hackers do, exactly? As already mentioned, companies hire ethical hackers to enhance their cybersecurity and detect system gaps. Here are a few reasons why you would want to hire one:

• To detect vulnerabilities in a company's network. A white hat hacker uses the same techniques as a black hat hacker would. If they find any vulnerabilities, they inform your IT teams so they can fix such shortcomings.

• To check your team’s cybersecurity habits. White hat hackers can send fake phishing emails to your employees to see how they react. This is an excellent exercise to refresh your team's cybersecurity knowledge.

As you can see, the main goal of hiring a white hat hacker is to improve your company's cybersecurity.

Types of hackers: White vs black hat hackers

So, if ethical hackers are called white hat hackerswhat are those bad ones you hear all about in the media called? Well, you guessed it, black hat hackers.

The primary difference between a white hat hacker and a black hat hacker is their intent and motivation. While white-hat hackers use their technical skills to identify and fix security vulnerabilities, black-hat hackers use the same skills to exploit and manipulate systems for their gain.

White hat hackers are often hired by organizations to test the security of their networks and systems. Black hat hackers, on the other hand, operate outside the law and use their skills to gain unauthorized access to computer systems and networks. Their motives can range from financial gain to personal amusement or political activism.

It's also worth noting that there is a gray area between white hat and black hat hacking, known as "gray hat" hacking. Gray hat hackers may identify vulnerabilities in systems without permission, but they do not have malicious intent and may disclose their findings to the affected organization. While their actions are technically illegal, they are generally seen as less harmful than those of black hat hackers.

The role of gray hat hackers

It's also worth noting that there is a middle ground between white hat and black hat hacking, where gray hat hackers operate. Gray hat hackers may identify vulnerabilities in systems without permission, but they do not have malicious intent and may disclose their findings to the affected organization. While their actions are technically illegal, they are generally seen as less harmful than those of black hat hackers.

Gray hat hackers are controversial yet occasionally valuable players in the cybersecurity field because, despite their ethical ambiguity, they sometimes contribute to cybersecurity by exposing flaws that might otherwise go unnoticed.

How to become a white hat hacker?

First things first, you need to be a cybersecurity expert to become a white hat hacker. This often means getting a degree in computer science, computer hardware engineering, database management, or similar fields.

Next, you should work in this field for a few years to get some practical experience. Then, you can get an ethical hacker certification and start working as a white hat hacker.

Famous white hat hackers

Some of the most famous white hat hackers have made significant contributions to cybersecurity through white hat activities and have become household names. Here are a few examples of how white hat hackers work:

• Kevin Mitnick is perhaps one of the most well-known white hat hackers in history. In the 1980s and 1990s, he gained notoriety for hacking into the computer systems of major corporations and government agencies. After serving five years in prison, Mitnick turned his life around and became a successful security consultant. His book “The Art of Deception” is a must-read for anyone interested in social engineering.

• Tsutomu Shimomura is a renowned computer security expert who gained national attention in 1995 for helping the FBI track down and capture Kevin Mitnick. He also created the first intrusion detection system, which is still used today to protect networks from unauthorized access.

• Dan Kaminsky is a cybersecurity researcher best known for discovering a major vulnerability in the Domain Name System (DNS) in 2008. The flaw, which could have allowed attackers to redirect internet traffic to malicious websites, affected virtually all internet users. Kaminsky worked with major tech companies to fix the issue before it could be exploited.

• Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek are a duo of white hat hackers who made headlines in 2015 for hacking into a Jeep Cherokee and taking control of its steering, brakes, and other critical systems. Their research led to a recall of 1.4 million vehicles and sparked a national conversation about the security of internet-connected cars.

These are just a few examples of the many white hat hackers who have made significant contributions to the field of cybersecurity. By using their skills for good, they have helped to make the digital world a safer place for all of us.

How to keep cybercriminals away from your business

Before hiring a white hat hacker, you should do your cybersecurity homework first and ensure that your company follows at least these four tips for better online safety:

• Install antivirus software: This will minimize ransomware and malware download risks.

• Implement strong firewalls: Firewalls can help detect viruses and prevent malware and phishing attacks.

• Use an enterprise password manager: This will help you secure your sensitive company data from falling into the wrong hands.

• Control who connects to your network: Authorize every computer and device that can connect to your company’s network to prevent unauthorized access.