: These individuals break into systems with malicious intent, such as stealing data or committing financial fraud.
: Once known as the "world's most wanted hacker," he specialized in social engineering —tricking people into giving up sensitive information. Hackek
: Famous for stopping the devastating WannaCry ransomware attack, though he later faced legal issues for previous activities. : These individuals break into systems with malicious
: These are ethical security professionals who use their skills for good, often helping organizations find and fix vulnerabilities. Hackek
: A global "hacktivist" collective known for its leaderless structure and its members' use of Guy Fawkes masks.
The history of hacking is shaped by notable individuals and collectives: