Different Types and Subtypes of Hackers in 2025

The world thinks ‘Hacking’ is illegitimate. However, hacking can be harmless and fun. Many companies recruit hackers to their official teams to safeguard their data and enhance their security.

Similarly, the world of hacking is also nuanced, and not all hackers have malicious intent. There are 3 types of hackers: black hat hackers, white hat hackers, and gray hat hackers.

While the actions of these hackers might overlap in some cases, the key difference between the different hacker types lies in their intent and ethical stance.

In this article, we’ll explain the primary 3 types of hackers in cybersecurity, and provide an overview of the other 15 types of hackers, to help you understand who’s doing what in the world of cybersecurity.

Further, if you are interested in pursuing a career in cybersecurity, check out our cybersecurity certification courses.

What are the Three Types of hackers?

The 3 types of Hackers are: Black Hat, White Hat, and Grey Hat Hackers.

1. Black Hat Hackers: The Cybercriminals

Black hat hackers engage in illegal activities with the intention of causing harm or gaining personal profit.

Black hat hackers exploit security vulnerabilities in systems, networks, or devices without authorization.

They may implant malware, steal sensitive information, or engage in disruptive attacks such as Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks or ransomware campaigns.

Black Hat Hacker Attacks

● Malware creation: Black hat hackers often design viruses, worms, and Trojans to infiltrate systems.

● Ransomware attacks: These hackers encrypt a victim's data and demand a ransom for its release.

● Data theft: Personal information, financial data, and corporate secrets are prime targets.

● Extortion: Using stolen data to blackmail individuals or organizations.

Black hat hackers are driven by personal gain, whether it’s financial (such as through ransomware) or ideological. In addition to being considered criminals, they are often referred to as crackers, due to their intent to break into systems for malicious purposes.

CISSP Certification Training CoursePrepare for advanced CISSP certification with our online training class.Explore course

2. White Hat Hackers: The Ethical Hackers

White hat hackers use their skills to improve security. Also known as ethical hackers, they work within legal and ethical boundaries to identify vulnerabilities in systems before they can be exploited by malicious hackers.

Many companies hire white hat hackers to conduct penetration testing, assess security flaws, and harden their systems.

To become a certified white hat hacker/ ethical hacker, join our Certified Ethical Hacker Training Course.

White Hat/ Ethical Hacker activities include:

● Penetration testing: Ethical hackers simulate attacks to discover weaknesses in a system.

● Security audits: White hat hackers perform thorough reviews of networks, applications, and systems to ensure they meet security standards.

● Vulnerability disclosures: These hackers find vulnerabilities and responsibly report them to the affected parties so they can be fixed.

White hat hackers play a critical role in enhancing cybersecurity, and many cybersecurity professionals started their careers as white hat hackers. Their work is essential for protecting organizations and individuals from cyber threats.

3. Gray Hat Hackers: The Ambiguous Hackers

Gray hat hackers occupy the middle ground between black and white hats. They do not have malicious intentions like black hat hackers, but they also lack the explicit authorization that white hat hackers have when accessing systems.

Gray hat hackers often explore systems for vulnerabilities without seeking permission, but they may report the issue to the organization or demand payment to fix it.

Gray Hat Hackers Key Traits:

● Gray Hat Hackers Gray Hat Hackers Exploration without permission: Gray hat hackers typically exploit vulnerabilities without prior consent.

● Unsolicited reporting: After discovering a weakness, gray hat hackers may inform the affected party, sometimes asking for a reward.

● Ambiguous ethics: While their actions are not typically driven by malicious intent, gray hat hackers often operate in a legally gray area.

Because of their approach, gray hat hackers can often blur the lines between ethical and unethical behavior, leading to controversy within the cybersecurity community.

Types of Hackers and Their Motivations

The key difference between black, white, and gray hat hackers boils down to intent:

1. Black hat hackers: Malicious and self-serving.

2. White hat hackers: Ethical, with a focus on improving security.

3. Gray hat hackers: A mix of both, often operating without clear permission but not intending to harm.

This distinction is crucial in determining the potential impact of their actions on cybersecurity and society at large.

Difference Between Black Hat, White Hat, and Grey Hat Hackers

The table below briefly compares black hat vs white hat vs grey hat hackers.

Find the correct cybersecurity certification course for yourself. Talk to Cybersecurity Learner Advisors now!

Contact learner advisor

15 Subtypes of Hackers

In addition to the three main categories, there are various subtypes of hackers, each with its unique motives and methods.

1. Blue Hat Hackers: Security Testers and Revenge Seekers

There are two main types of blue hat hackers:

● Security Experts: These non-malicious hackers are typically employed by companies to test the security of their systems by running penetration tests. Their goal is to identify vulnerabilities before malicious hackers can exploit them.

● Revenge Seekers: These experienced hackers use their skills to attack individuals or organizations out of personal vendetta, with little interest in financial gain or fame. Their actions are driven by anger or a desire for retribution.

2. Purple Hat Hackers: The Self-Taught Learners

Purple hat hackers are individuals who practice hacking skills in a controlled environment, often by hacking their own devices.

They typically use one computer to hack another that they own, allowing them to refine their techniques. Since they are learning, they pose little to no risk to anyone outside their practice environment.

3. Red Hat Hackers: The Vigilantes

Red hat hackers, also called vigilante hackers, are motivated by a desire to combat black hat hackers.

Rather than simply reporting vulnerabilities or exploiting weaknesses for good, red-hat hackers go on the offensive.

They target black hat hackers by infiltrating their networks, often using aggressive tactics such as disabling systems or destroying data.

4. Green Hat Hackers: The Inexperienced Learners

Green hat hackers are newcomers to the hacking scene. Lacking technical experience, they may still pose a threat unintentionally due to their lack of skills.

They may rely on phishing scams or other simple techniques to exploit security holes, potentially causing harm without fully understanding the impact of their actions.

5. Hacktivists: Political and Social Activists

Hacktivists use hacking as a tool to promote social or political causes. Their actions typically target government organizations or corporations to expose information or disrupt systems.

Though hacktivists often see themselves as fighting for a just cause, their actions can harm those who do not share their ideological views.

6. Script Kiddies: Amateur Hackers Using Pre-made Tools

Script kiddies are inexperienced hackers who lack the technical know-how to create their hacking programs. Instead, they use pre-existing scripts and tools to carry out attacks.

Although they may not fully understand the damage they are causing, their actions can still be harmful, especially because they often don't know how to control the power of the tools they are using.

7. Whistleblowers: Leakers of Sensitive Information

Whistleblowers are individuals within organizations who leak confidential or sensitive information to expose illegal or unethical practices.

While their intentions may vary, whistleblowers are often controversial. Some view them as heroes for exposing wrongdoing, while others see them as a threat to organizational security.

8. Botnet Hackers: The Masters of Remote Control

Botnet hackers create networks of infected devices, known as "botnets," which they control remotely.

These botnets can be used to carry out large-scale attacks, such as DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks, spam campaigns, and spreading malware.

By harnessing the power of numerous infected devices, botnet hackers can cause significant damage to targeted systems.

9. Crypto hackers: Thieves of Cryptocurrency

Crypto hackers target cryptocurrency exchanges and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) to steal digital assets.

These hackers use phishing attacks to deceive users into providing access to their accounts or to lure them into fake exchanges, where they can then steal cryptocurrency.

10. Cryptojackers: Miners Who Hijack Devices

Cryptojackers exploit users' devices to mine cryptocurrency without their consent.

Rather than investing in expensive hardware, these hackers hijack the computing power of unsuspecting devices to conduct the resource-intensive process of mining digital currency.

This can slow down systems and increase electricity costs for victims.

11. Cyberterrorists: Digital Warfare for Ideology

Cyberterrorists use hacking as a means of advancing their ideological goals. Their attacks may target critical infrastructure, such as electricity grids, transportation systems, or financial networks, with the intent to disrupt or damage.

Often, they seek to instill fear, spread propaganda, or extort money through ransomware, usually financing their operations through cryptocurrency.

12. Elite Hackers: The Masters of Cybersecurity and Cyberattacks

Elite hackers are highly skilled professionals who are at the top of the hacking world. With years of experience and expertise, they can shift between white and black hat hacking.

Elite hackers are often innovators in both cybersecurity and cyberattacks, capable of discovering and creating new methods for hacking systems and defending against them.

13. Gaming Hackers: Targeting Online Gamers

Gaming hackers focus on online gaming platforms, seeking to steal account information, login credentials, and in-game assets.

They may use DDoS attacks to take down opponents' accounts or exploit weaknesses in game design to gain an unfair advantage.

With eSports prize pools often reaching millions of dollars, hacking in gaming has become a big business.

14. Malicious Insiders: The Inside Job Hackers

Malicious insiders are employees or contractors who have access to sensitive systems and data.

However, instead of using their access for legitimate purposes, they exploit it for personal gain or to cause damage.

Their actions can stem from personal grievances, a desire for revenge, or financial motivations, often resulting in the theft or destruction of data.

15. State-Sponsored Hackers: Digital Warfare for Governments

State-sponsored hackers are employed by governments to carry out cyber espionage or digital warfare.

They are often tasked with stealing confidential information, sabotaging rival nations' infrastructure, or monitoring digital activities.

These hackers are usually well-funded and operate with a sense of impunity, as they are backed by government resources.

How to Protect Against Hackers in 2025

Protecting yourself from hackers, regardless of their type, requires a combination of vigilance, tools, and best practices:

● Download Files Only from Trusted Sources: Hackers often use infected files to gain access to systems. Avoid downloading anything from suspicious or unfamiliar sites.

● Use Antivirus Software: Basic antivirus tools may not catch the most sophisticated malware. Invest in comprehensive antivirus software for added protection.

● Install a VPN: A VPN helps conceal your location and encrypts your data, protecting you from being tracked or intercepted by hackers.

● Create Strong Passwords and Enable 2FA: Strong passwords, along with two-factor authentication, add extra layers of security to your accounts.

● Avoid Public Wi-Fi: Public Wi-Fi networks are often unsecured, making them prime targets for hackers. If you must use them, always connect via a VPN.

● Keep Software Updated: Regular updates help patch security vulnerabilities and protect against newly discovered threats.

● Back Up Your Files: Regularly back up important data so you can recover it in case of an attack, such as ransomware.

Conclusion

The world of hacking is diverse, with hackers ranging from the altruistic white hats who protect our systems, to the malicious black hats and vigilante red hats.

Regardless of their motivation, all types of hackers pose a potential risk to digital security. By understanding these hacker types and taking the necessary precautions, you can protect yourself and your information from cyber threats.