Understanding crackers: what they are and how to protect your company

In the digitalized world, it is essential to understand the different threats we face, especially those related to computer security. That is why below we tell you what crackers and hackers are, their differences with hackers, and how you can protect a company from their malicious actions.

A cracker is a malicious person with technical skills who uses their knowledge to penetrate computer systems. Its main objective is to bypass the security of systems in order to steal information, cause damage or carry out illegal activities.

It is differentiated from hackers, since the latter are individuals with technical skills who can use their knowledge to explore and improve computer systems. That is, many of them work ethically to identify and correct security vulnerabilities.

Types of hackers

In any case, there are also some hackers who have other motivations similar to those of crackers. Below are some of the most well-known hacker classifications:

• Ethical hackers: As mentioned above, they are professionals who use their knowledge to identify and fix vulnerabilities and reduce risks. They are often hired by companies to help improve their online security.
• Malicious hackers: use their knowledge with motivations that are harmful to third parties and their own benefit. They access networks without authorization, cause damage and have economic interests.
• Gray hat hackers: due to their characteristics, they are not usually assigned to any of the previous groups. Sometimes they achieve intrusions without the permission of the system owner but perhaps with good intentions of identifying breaches and alerting, rather than exploiting them.
• Hacktivists: This type of hackers usually carry out attacks on websites or cause a data leak with the aim of raising awareness or promoting social or political causes.

While both crackers and hackers may have similar skills, their intentions and actions are radically different, and the main difference between them is their purpose.

How to protect your company from crackers and hackers?

After an arduous analysis, our experts suggest that it is essential to implement robust security measures to protect your company from the threats of crackers. Some best practices:

• Keep systems up to date: Ensure all programs and operating systems are up to date with the latest security patches to avoid known vulnerabilities. For example, last year due to a security flaw that had vulnerabilities, Apple recommended iPhone users update their devices otherwise they would be exposed to computer attacks.
• Use strong passwords: Encourage the use of strong passwords and change them regularly. It is also important to consider implementing two-factor authentication to add an additional layer of security.
• Raise staff awareness: Educate employees about cybersecurity practices, such as identifying phishing emails, secure password management, and protecting confidential information. A recent study found that 90% of cracker attacks begin with a phishing email, therefore training staff reduces exposure to these threats.
• Monitor the network and detect intrusions: Implement network monitoring tools and intrusion detection systems to identify suspicious activity in real time and respond proactively.
• Respond to incidents: Develop an incident response plan that includes procedures to contain and mitigate any security breaches.

With more than 16 years of experience in the field, we have a team of experts and specialists that allows us to offer information security services in line with the most demanding industry standards and at the forefront of current threats.