Final answer:
A) Ethical hackers, unlike cybercriminals or black hat hackers, are employed by companies to conduct penetration tests to strengthen security.
Step-by-step explanation:
A) Ethical hackers are sometimes employed by companies to perform penetration tests.
Unlike cybercriminals, script kiddies, or black hat hackers, ethical hackers use their skills to help improve the security of an organization by finding vulnerabilities that could be exploited maliciously.
They help to protect systems by reporting back any weaknesses discovered so that defensive measures can be taken.
How Hackers Operate and Impact Security
Hackers have various methods to break into systems, such as exploiting software vulnerabilities, phishing attacks to lure people into giving out personal information, and using malicious software to gain unauthorized access.
The tactics employed by hackers can lead to the theft of sensitive data, financial loss, identity theft, and other forms of cybercrime.
What hackers do with stolen information varies: they might sell data on the dark web, use it for identity theft, or leverage it for espionage or other malicious activities.
Hacking Mitigation Strategies
Successful hackings can be greatly reduced by improving cybersecurity measures.
This includes regular security audits, employee training to recognize and resist phishing attempts, application of strong authentication measures, and keeping software up to date with the latest security patches.
Raising awareness about cybersecurity and promoting vigilant computational practices are essential for defending against hacking incidents.