Black hat (computer security)

<p>A black hat (black hat hacker or blackhat) is a computer <a href="/facts/Security_hacker/4bAJ9F1A">hacker</a> who violates laws or ethical standards for nefarious purposes, such as <a href="/facts/Cybercrime/cSyaFF96">cybercrime</a>, <a href="/facts/Cyberwarfare/UYp25v4v">cyberwarfare</a>, or malice. These acts can range from <a href="/facts/Online_piracy/7As1Mf68">piracy</a> to <a href="/facts/Identity_theft/WeTNe9DG">identity theft</a>. A black hat is often referred to as a "cracker".
</p><p>The term originates from 1950s <a href="/facts/Western_(genre)/KvoYduYT">westerns</a>, with "bad guys" (criminals) typically depicted as having worn black hats and "good guys" (heroes) wearing white ones. In the same way, black hat hacking is contrasted with the more ethical <a href="/facts/White_hat_(computer_security)/yPX3oYsF">white hat</a> approach to hacking. Additionally, there exists a third category, called <a href="/facts/Grey_hat/bn3qtbe8">grey hat hacking</a>, characterized by individuals who hack, usually with good intentions but by illegal means.
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Black hat (computer security) open-in-new

Black hat (computer security)