Black hat - Definition and Overview

In the computer security community, a skilled hacker who uses his or her ability to pursue their interest illegally. They are often economically motivated, or may be representing a political cause. Sometimes, however, it is pure curiosity.

The term comes from old Western movies where heroes typically wore white or light-colored hats and outfits, and the villains wore black outfits with black hats.

There is also the term "black hat and mirror shades," which is only loosely related to this definition of a Black Hat. Instead, this term refers to the image of stereotypical image of mysterious government agents. See Black Hat and Mirror Shades.

See Also

• White hat
• Gray hat
• Hacker ethic
• Hacker