What is a Black-Hat Hacker?

A black-hat hacker is an individual or a group of hackers who engage in unauthorized or malicious computer activities. These activities are typically carried out with the intent of exploiting vulnerabilities for personal gain, causing harm, or committing illegal actions. Black-hat hackers often break into computer systems, networks, or applications to steal sensitive information, disrupt services, distribute malware, or engage in other illicit activities.

The term "black hat" is derived from Western movies where the villain traditionally wore a black hat, symbolizing their malicious and nefarious intentions. In contrast, "white hat" hackers are individuals who use their skills to help organizations and governments by identifying and fixing security vulnerabilities, while "gray hat" hackers fall somewhere in between, as they may engage in unauthorized activities but with intentions that are not purely malicious.

It's important to note that hacking itself is a neutral term, and not all hackers are malicious. Ethical hacking, or penetration testing, is a practice where individuals use their hacking skills to identify and fix security vulnerabilities in a legal and responsible manner.