best ethical hackers hiring compnies

Introduction：

1、Understanding and Avoiding Scams

2、What Is a Black Hat Hacker？

Understanding and Avoiding Scams ♂

　　Fake escrow sites are a common tool used by scammers to lure you into payments that you think are safe with a trusted third party. Unfortunately the escrow site is often controlled by the scammers and once payment is made, they will block you. If you use Telegram they may even delete the chat entirely. Other times after you pay they may ask for another payment saying the job was harder than they thought or that they need to buy a new server or software. This is another attempt to get more funds from you in the scam and it often works.

　　Safely hiring a hacker is incredibly difficult. The vast majority of blackhat hackers for hire are indeed scammers. We recommend extreme care when delving into this world. Here are some common reasons people hire Blackhat Hackers:

　　Identity Theft - To steal personal information for fraudulent activities.

　　Unauthorized System Access - To gain access to private networks or databases without permission.

　　Data Manipulation - To alter or delete data for malicious intent or personal gain.

　　Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks - To overwhelm and take down targeted online services or websites.

　　Financial Theft - To illegally transfer funds or steal financial information.

　　Account Recovery - An online account access has been lost such as email or social media account.

　　Relationship Spying - To spy on someone you're in a relationship with and suspect they are unfaithful.

　　Online scams often share common characteristics. They might promise quick financial gains, offer services that are illegal or unethical, or pressure you to act quickly. Here are some red flags to watch out for:

　　Unsolicited offers or requests received via email or social media.

　　Pressure to make fast decisions or payments.

　　Requests for payments through untraceable methods.

　　Too good to be true offers, like quick money for little to no work.

　　Lack of clear or verifiable contact information on websites.

　　Protecting yourself online requires vigilance and knowledge. Always verify the legitimacy of offers and services. Use secure and reputable websites for transactions. Here are some safety tips:

　　Never share your personal information with untrusted sources.

　　Record or log any conversation you have with the hacker.

　　Find reputable people with a long history.

　　Be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true.

　　Use a recommended middleman.

　　Review the history of the person you're dealing with.

What Is a Black Hat Hacker？ ♂

　　A black hat hacker is a cybercriminal who accesses your computer systems and network without your knowledge to steal data, disrupt systems and extort money. Black hat hackers try to take advantage of an organization’s security vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to software, systems and networks. Once they gain access to an organization’s data, black hat hackers may hold the data for ransom or sell it to other businesses or cybercriminals.

　　Continue reading to learn how black hat hackers differ from other hackers, what black hat hacking may look like and how your organization can stay safe from black hat hackers.

　　There are three main types of hackers: black hat, gray hat and white hat. When you think of a hacker, you are most likely imagining a black hat hacker who steals data and installs malware on devices. They’re motivated by money, but some black hat hackers may seek revenge or want to commit espionage.

　　Black hat hackers are unethical, while white hat hackers use their skills for good. They help organizations by finding and fixing security vulnerabilities, letting organizations know which weaknesses need to be patched before malicious hackers (black hat hackers) exploit them.

　　In between black hat and white hat hackers, gray hat hackers may use their skills for good or evil. Gray hat hackers’ motivations can differ dramatically, from wanting to improve security to wanting to expose security vulnerabilities, depending on the situation. For example, a gray hat hacker might use their skills to help someone who was the victim of a cyber attack by recovering their data and removing malware from their device. The next day, a gray hat hacker could look for security vulnerabilities and report them to an individual for a fair price.

　　Several examples of black hat hacking include phishing scams, ransomware attacks, Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks and data breaches.

　　Black hat hackers use phishing scams to trick people into sharing sensitive information, like organizational data or important passwords. Impersonating trustworthy people, black hat hackers target their victims by sending them convincing messages and asking them to click on a link or download an attachment. Once an employee falls for the scam, a black hat hacker can gain access to an organization’s systems and steal sensitive data.

　　A ransomware attack happens when a black hat hacker infects an organization’s devices with ransomware, blocking access to files and data until the ransom is paid. After the payment, a black hat hacker will typically return access to the organization; however, sometimes a black hat hacker will take the money and run. Black hat hackers launch ransomware attacks through phishing attacks, targeting an employee within an organization to reveal private information by impersonating someone trustworthy. For example, a black hat hacker may target a new employee at your organization and pretend to be an authoritative figure. If the black hat hacker asks your employee to click on an attachment within a phishing email, ransomware could infect the employee’s device without their knowledge and spread throughout the network, infiltrating your entire organization. Soon enough, your organization would be unable to access any data and must pay the black hat hacker a ransom to return access.

　　A Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack occurs when a black hat hacker tries to disturb a server’s normal traffic by overwhelming it, causing it to slow down or crash. Black hat hackers typically conduct DDoS attacks to disrupt a web source’s normal operations by having many bots make requests and prevent a server from operating at all. Sometimes, black hat hackers will ask for a ransom to stop a DDoS attack from continuing to impact an organization’s server.

　　Black hat hackers often target organizations through data breaches, which happen when unauthorized users steal and use sensitive data exposed through security vulnerabilities, human error or cyber attacks. A black hat hacker may hack into an account and steal passwords or Personally Identifiable Information (PII), like customers’ Social Security numbers or phone numbers, to commit identity theft.

　　Your organization can protect itself against black hat hackers in a variety of ways, including using a firewall, investing in a Privileged Access Management (PAM) solution, maintaining updated software and training employees on security awareness regularly.

　　It’s important to use a firewall to stay protected against black hat hackers because it controls incoming and outgoing network traffic. Since a firewall has a predefined set of rules that filter through incoming and outgoing data, your organization can use it to block outside traffic from accessing your internal network. This form of protection enhances your organization’s overall security and reduces the chances of becoming a victim of cyber attacks.

　　Your organization can protect itself against black hat hackers by investing in a Privileged Access Management (PAM) solution, which manages and secures accounts that have access to highly sensitive data. For example, your organization’s IT administrators or HR staff should have their accounts protected with a PAM solution because accounts with access to sensitive information should be closely monitored in case their accounts get compromised. A PAM solution like KeeperPAM? can help your organization by ensuring secure remote access, enforcing least-privilege access and managing user lifecycles. Many PAM solutions, including KeeperPAM, come with password management to encourage strong password hygiene practices of using strong passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), which are ways your employees can secure their accounts and organizational data.

　　If your organization’s devices or software are outdated, black hat hackers have an easier time taking advantage of security vulnerabilities to hack into your network and steal important data. Keeping your devices and software updated ensures that every employee is securing their data and work-related accounts because the latest software updates will enhance security, patch issues and fix any known bugs. There are several solutions your organization can invest in to help ensure your devices and software are updated, such as Kandji, so you do not need to waste time updating everything manually.

　　A penetration test, also referred to as a pen test, simulates a real cyber attack on an organization’s systems to evaluate its security strengths and vulnerabilities. Pen tests are essential in determining where your organization needs to improve in terms of security because simulating a cyber attack prepares you for a real one and could prevent actual data breaches from occurring. For example, if your organization runs a pen test and finds several flaws in your security systems, you can fix them before a real cyber attack impacts your organization. Running pen tests regularly can help prevent a black hat hacker from accessing your organization’s network and data.

　　Your employees should be trained on security awareness topics because many organizations suffer data breaches due to human error. According to a 2024 Statista survey, 66% of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) claimed human error is their organization’s most significant security vulnerability. If your employees do not know what a phishing email may look like and click on any malicious links, your organization could suffer a cyber attack, leading to a data breach and significant financial losses. Training your employees on how to recognize phishing attempts and what to do if they receive a suspicious email can greatly reduce human error and, therefore, prevent cyber attacks from affecting your business.

　　Protect your organization from black hat hackers and other cybercriminals by using a firewall, investing in a PAM solution, keeping your software updated and conducting pen tests. A great PAM solution your organization should use to stay safe from black hat hackers is KeeperPAM, which helps you manage privileged accounts and protect sensitive data from unauthorized users.

Related questions

Here's a curated list of companies known for hiring ethical hackers, organized by industry, along with key details and tips for aspiring candidates:

1. Tech Giants

• Google: Employs cybersecurity experts for projects like Project Zero, focusing on vulnerability research.
• Microsoft: Has the Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) and Red Team roles.
• Apple: Seeks ethical hackers for securing hardware/software ecosystems.
• Amazon: Hacks AWS infrastructure and consumer products (e.g., Alexa, Prime).

2. Cybersecurity Firms

• Palo Alto Networks: Offers roles in network security and threat intelligence.
• CrowdStrike: Known for endpoint protection and incident response teams.
• FireEye (Trellix): Specializes in advanced threat detection and red-team operations.
• Rapid7: Provides penetration testing and vulnerability management services.
• Fortinet & Check Point: Hire for firewall and network security testing.

3. Consulting & Audit Firms

• Deloitte, PwC, KPMG, EY: Cybersecurity consulting arms conduct penetration testing and risk assessments for clients.
• Accenture: Offers threat detection and incident response services.

4. Government & Defense Contractors

• NSA, GCHQ, CISA: Government agencies with cybersecurity divisions (e.g., NSA’s Cybersecurity Directorate).
• Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Booz Allen Hamilton: Defense contractors with red-team roles for national security.

5. Financial Institutions

• JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup: In-house teams for securing transactions and customer data.
• Mastercard, Visa: Focus on payment system security and fraud prevention.

6. Telecom & Managed Security

• Verizon: Cybersecurity division (Verizon Cybertrust) offers penetration testing.
• IBM Security: Provides managed security services and ethical hacking.
• AT&T, T-Mobile: Protect network infrastructure and customer data.

7. Bug Bounty & Hacker Platforms

• HackerOne, Bugcrowd: Facilitate bug bounties and often hire full-time hackers.
• Synack: Combats cybercrime with a crowdsourced hacker network.

8. Healthcare & Retail

• UnitedHealth Group, CVS Health: Protect sensitive patient data.
• Walmart, Target: Secure e-commerce platforms and payment systems.

Key Certifications

• CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker), OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional), CISSP, and CompTIA Security+ are highly valued.

Tips for Getting Hired

• Build a Portfolio: Showcase CTF competitions, bug bounty achievements, or GitHub projects.
• Network: Attend conferences like DEF CON or Black Hat.
• Practice: Use platforms like Hack The Box or TryHackMe to hone skills.
• Apply Strategically: Look for titles like Penetration Tester, Red Team Engineer, or Cybersecurity Analyst.

These companies prioritize proactive security measures, making them ideal for ethical hackers seeking impactful roles. Tailor applications to highlight hands-on experience and relevant certifications.