Final answer:
The student's question discusses the method of using a Ruby application to scrape a website for potential passwords and then conduct a brute-force attack.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hackers and Their Methods
Hackers employ a variety of techniques to breach security, and one such method is through the use of a Ruby application configured to crawl a target organization's website. This application gathers potential password keywords by scouring the content of a website. Once these keywords are collected and formulated into a list, they may be used to attempt a brute-force password attack. It's imperative to understand that such actions are illegal and unethical, and they pose a significant security threat to individuals and organizations alike. The process described in the question relates to preparing for a cyber attack, where the attacker proactively seeks vulnerabilities, such as weak passwords that might be derived from website content.
Aside from brute-force attacks, hackers may also employ tactics including phishing, wherein they trick individuals into clicking on malicious links or providing sensitive information. Awareness and education about such methods are crucial for users to protect themselves against cyber threats.