18 May 2025

The World of Hackers: Decoding the Shades of Their Hats

Most internet users are familiar with the terms “black hat” and “white hat” hackers. Many have even felt the effects of hacking attacks. However, the spectrum of hacker “hats” extends far beyond the classic dichotomy of black and white.

On this page

Black Hats and White Hats

So, why “hats”? This convention stems from early Western films, where the heroes wore pristine white Stetsons and the villains wore black ones, as dictated by Hollywood directors' storytelling.

Western hero Buffalo Bill in a white cowboy hat Source: Wikipedia

Western hero Buffalo Bill in a white cowboy hat Source: Wikipedia

During the Wild West era, there was no such fashion, and certainly, today’s hackers don’t sit at their computers donning wide-brimmed hats. However, the various “shades” of their activities, noble or otherwise, are aptly described by these colorful metaphors.

Black hats (blackhat hackers or blackhats) are hackers who break laws and ethical norms for profit or other malevolent purposes. Their activities range from cybercrime and cyber warfare to stealing personal data, piracy, distributing malware, and other malicious intents. Typically, black hats steal information to sell on the darknet.

From 2013 to 2014, black hat attacks on Yahoo resulted in the theft of 3 billion (!) customer accounts. These incidents are regarded as the largest data breach in the history of the Internet. In recent years, black hats have unfortunately shown a particular interest in cryptocurrency exchanges and users’ crypto wallets.

White hats (white hat hackers) or ethical hackers are the exact opposite of the “black villains.” They are cybersecurity specialists who search for system vulnerabilities on a paid or voluntary basis, and then report their findings to the developers. Their services are utilized by businesses, financial institutions, app and game developers, and government entities, among others. 

Interestingly, the U.S. Air Force was one of the first organizations to engage white hats to assess vulnerabilities in their operating systems. The most famous product developed by white hats is the SATAN program (Security Administrator Tool for Analyzing Networks), which encompasses all the tools used for hacking.

Today, however, hackers can “wear” hats of various colors, thus being categorized into several groups.

Yellow Saboteurs of Social Media Platforms

Yellow hats (yellow hat hackers), also known as social network hackers, specialize in hacking into user accounts.

Because yellow hat hackers typically harbor criminal intentions, they resemble black hats. Yellow hats often hack accounts to compromise a brand, spread malware, or damage the reputation of a real person. The stolen confidential information is frequently used for personal gain, such as being sold for profit.

Grey Hats: Almost White, Slightly Black

Grey hat hackers (or grey hats) operate like black hats but without malicious intent. A grey hat might break laws or ethical norms by hacking a well-known computer system just to feel heroic. Although these actions are illegal, they are not driven by criminal motives.

Most grey hats, however, report vulnerabilities to the system's owners hoping for a reward. On the other hand, many software and app developers proactively offer bounties for discovering vulnerabilities in their products. These bounty programs, known as “bug bounties,” can sometimes offer rewards of several million dollars!

Blue Hats and Red Hats

Blue hat hackers (or blue hats) are specialists hired to scrutinize systems for bugs and vulnerabilities before their official launch. Occasionally, this term includes reputable cybersecurity consulting firms. The role of blue hats involves identifying and addressing security weaknesses to ensure they are rectified before the product's commercial release.

Red hat hackers (or security hackers) explore methods of breaching defenses and exploiting system or network vulnerabilities, often employing techniques traditionally used by black hats. Both red and blue hats are commonly employed by developers for penetration testing, which assesses a system's security. In these tests, one team uses all available tools to attempt a system breach, while the other team implements all possible defenses to thwart the attack.

This scenario is akin to military drills that simulate actual combat conditions, where units engage a real, not hypothetical, “enemy.” The developers, acting as mediators, evaluate the effectiveness of the defense and the attackers' strategies. The result of this virtual confrontation is the enhancement of the system's security. 

Purple Defenders

The next category in the hacker hat spectrum closely relates to both blue hats and red hats. 

Purple hat hackers merge offensive and defensive skills to analyze and improve security strategies. This holistic approach is vital for developing robust defense mechanisms and quickly responding to evolving threats. 

In contrast to red and blue hats, purple hats collaborate directly with developers from the product’s developmental stages, analyzing security from the ground up.

Still Learning: Green Hats

Green hat hackers are novices who are just beginning to explore the nuances of cybersecurity and hacking. While green hats do not possess malicious intentions and aim to contribute to network security, they often operate without the system owner's consent, making their actions potentially illegal.

Moreover, green hats lack the full-fledged skills of seasoned criminals or cybersecurity experts, and they can unintentionally cause significant harm to systems they manage to compromise. Essentially, these “newcomers” are still finding their footing in the hacker world. Over time, as they gain experience, these hackers might choose any role across the spectrum of hacker “hats.”

In conclusion, regardless of the color of their metaphorical hat, hackers are equipped with nearly all the tools needed for system breaches. At any moment, a white hat could turn to darker shades, complicating the work of cybersecurity professionals.

The content on The Coinomist is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content. Neither we accept liability for any errors or omissions in the information provided or for any financial losses incurred as a result of relying on this information. Actions based on this content are at your own risk. Always do your own research and consult a professional. See our Terms, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers for more details.

Articles by this author
Senate Nears Consensus on GENIUS Act, Vote Expected Next Week

Senate Nears Consensus on GENIUS Act, Vote Expected Next Week

Updates to the GENIUS Act, aimed at regulating stablecoins, include new provisions on national security and ethics. The Senate is preparing to bring the bill to a vote next week.

Dmytro Psevdonimenko
Méliuz Launches Bitcoin Treasury Strategy Amid Business Overhaul

Méliuz Launches Bitcoin Treasury Strategy Amid Business Overhaul

Shifting gears toward a crypto-first identity, Méliuz is relaunching with plans to become a Bitcoin treasury powerhouse in Latin America.

Anton Kryshtal
Atkins Outlines SEC’s New Crypto Framework

Atkins Outlines SEC’s New Crypto Framework

On May 12, 2025, SEC Chair Paul Atkins introduced a new regulatory strategy for digital assets, with a focus on tokenization, custody, and crypto trading practices.

Vlad Vovk
DDC Enterprise Unveils 3-Year Plan to Hold 5,000 BTC

DDC Enterprise Unveils 3-Year Plan to Hold 5,000 BTC

DDC Enterprise (NYSEAM: DDC) has committed to building a 5,000 BTC reserve, beginning with a 100 BTC purchase and a 36-month accumulation plan.

Vlad Vovk
Monica Long: How Ripple’s Quiet Force Is Redrawing Crypto’s Map

Monica Long: How Ripple’s Quiet Force Is Redrawing Crypto’s Map

Ripple’s Monica Long isn’t chasing headlines—she’s quietly building crypto’s future. From payments to tokenization, here’s how she’s reshaping finance from the inside.

Elina Moskovchuk
Top Crypto Tweets Today: Zerebro Dev Reveals He Faked His Suicide

Top Crypto Tweets Today: Zerebro Dev Reveals He Faked His Suicide

The biggest mystery in today’s Twitter/X recap is Zerebro dev Jeffy Yu, who claimed to take his life on a Pump.fun stream – but later said he faked the video to stop harassment.

Anahit Avetisyan
Top Crypto Tweets Today: Samourai Case, Curve X Hack & More

Top Crypto Tweets Today: Samourai Case, Curve X Hack & More

DOJ prosecutors reportedly suppressed key evidence in the Samourai Wallet case. Crypto lawyer Zack Shapiro shared the defense team’s hearing request on X.

Anahit Avetisyan
What Is Bitcoin Knots, a Fork by Luke Dashjr?

What Is Bitcoin Knots, a Fork by Luke Dashjr?

Bitcoin Knots (formerly Bitcoin LJR) is an alternative to Bitcoin Core, both allowing network participants to interact with the Bitcoin blockchain.

Anahit Avetisyan
How to Buy New Crypto Before Listing: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Buy New Crypto Before Listing: A Step-by-Step Guide

Buying a cryptocurrency before it’s listed publicly has become one of the most talked-about strategies in the space, offering the potential for major upside—if done carefully.

The Coinomist
The Rise and Fall of Web3 Darlings: A Guide to Crypto Longevity

The Rise and Fall of Web3 Darlings: A Guide to Crypto Longevity

Most Web3 projects don’t collapse—they just stop being talked about. What makes one protocol a star and another a ghost? And why, in crypto, silence might signal transformation rather than failure?

Vlad Vovk
Beyond Profits: Understanding the Spiritual Side of Trading

Beyond Profits: Understanding the Spiritual Side of Trading

Are spiritual habits the missing link in trading psychology? For many, mindfulness and reflection offer a buffer against stress, reduce snap decisions, and aid in staying grounded through market volatility.

Vlad Vovk
How Cryptocurrency and Its Owners Are Tracked

How Cryptocurrency and Its Owners Are Tracked

Think blockchain is private? Wallets have no names and transfers seem untraceable — but that’s misleading. Discover how experts uncover wallet owners and link identities to transactions.

Vlad Vovk
The State of Crypto Regulation in 2025: Where the World Stands

The State of Crypto Regulation in 2025: Where the World Stands

A wave of regulation is sweeping the crypto world in 2025. From Washington to Brussels to Singapore, governments are setting new ground rules. What’s at stake for crypto’s next chapter?

Daryna Nesterenko
Bitcoin Retests $101K as Market Consolidation Holds

Bitcoin Retests $101K as Market Consolidation Holds

BTC remains range-bound between $101,000 and $105,000 as the market waits for new catalysts. Despite the pause in momentum, the leading cryptocurrency continues to show underlying strength.

Anton Kryshtal
Bitcoin Retreats Toward $101,000 Amid Mounting Sell-Side Pressure

Bitcoin Retreats Toward $101,000 Amid Mounting Sell-Side Pressure

Bitcoin loses ground despite notable net inflows into spot ETFs, signaling a bearish short-term trend.

Anton Kryshtal
MORE
Earning by Habit: How Crypto Weaves into Everyday Actions

Earning by Habit: How Crypto Weaves into Everyday Actions

You can now earn crypto tokens for your most routine daily habits — shopping, working out, or grabbing breakfast at a café. But how does it actually work?

Yara Zornell
Valletta: How Blockchain Became a Growth Engine for the Island of the Hospitallers

Valletta: How Blockchain Became a Growth Engine for the Island of the Hospitallers

Malta attracts crypto companies from around the world — flexible regulation, low taxes, and a prestigious European jurisdiction have turned the small city of Valletta into a land of opportunity.

Iaroslava Kramarenko
MORE