Final answer:
Port scanning can be helpful to identify potential vulnerabilities, yet it must be conducted carefully to avoid intrusiveness or performance issues. Hackers use a variety of tactics to steal data and may employ it for financial gain or further attacks. Combating hacking requires strong security measures and ongoing cybersecurity education.
Step-by-step explanation:
TCP/IP ports can indeed be vulnerable to exploitation if left unprotected or not monitored properly. The scanning of ports can be helpful in identifying potential vulnerabilities that hackers may exploit. To handle port scanning without being intrusive or impacting performance, consider setting up scan schedules during off-peak hours, using lightweight scanning tools, and ensuring that scans are targeted rather than full-range sweeps whenever possible. Keeping systems patched and updated, along with regular monitoring, are part of a proactive security approach. By doing so, organizations can mitigate the risk of exploitation while minimizing any negative impact on performance.
Regarding the broader discussion on threats to the future, hackers use various tactics including phishing, malware, exploiting vulnerabilities, and social engineering. They primarily steal sensitive information such as financial data, personal identification, intellectual property, and login credentials. The stolen data can be used for financial gain through selling the information, identity theft, or further attacks. Hackers have varying degrees of success, but significant breaches demonstrate their potential effectiveness. To combat hacking, strategies include strengthening security systems, implementing robust cybersecurity awareness training, and maintaining best practices in information security.