Ethical Hacking Essentials Practice Test

Which type of threat actor assists both hackers in finding vulnerabilities and vendors in improving product security?

1. White Hats

2. Gray Hats

3. Black Hats

4. Red Teams

The correct answer is: Gray Hats

The type of threat actor that assists both hackers in finding vulnerabilities and vendors in improving product security is the Gray Hats. Gray Hat hackers operate in an ethical gray area; they may exploit vulnerabilities without permission but typically do so to either highlight the security issues to the vendor or to demonstrate the risks involved. They often inform the affected organizations about discovered vulnerabilities in order to help them strengthen their defenses, which supports both the hacker community and the software vendors in improving security measures. This unique position allows Gray Hats to act as intermediaries, facilitating communication and cooperation between hackers who may be seeking to exploit vulnerabilities and those vendors who need to patch and improve their systems. In contrast, White Hats strictly work within ethical boundaries and typically have formal agreements with companies, while Black Hats engage in illegal hacking activities for malicious purposes, and Red Teams are focused on simulating attacks to test the effectiveness of a company's defenses.