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EC-Council

312-50V13 · Question #45

A hacker is an intelligent individual with excellent computer skills and the ability to explore a computer's software and hardware without the owner's permission. Their intention can either be to…

The correct answer is C. Gray Hat. A gray hat hacker is an individual who may engage in offensive hacking techniques without permission but with good intentions, or may work defensively, thus occupying an ethical middle ground.

Submitted by lukas.cz· Mar 6, 2026Introduction to Ethical Hacking

Question

A hacker is an intelligent individual with excellent computer skills and the ability to explore a computer's software and hardware without the owner's permission. Their intention can either be to simply gain knowledge or to illegally make changes. Which of the following class of hacker refers to an individual who works both offensively and defensively at various times?

Options

  • AWhite Hat
  • BSuicide Hacker
  • CGray Hat
  • DBlack Hat

How the community answered

(22 responses)
  • A
    5% (1)
  • B
    5% (1)
  • C
    91% (20)

Why each option

A gray hat hacker is an individual who may engage in offensive hacking techniques without permission but with good intentions, or may work defensively, thus occupying an ethical middle ground.

AWhite Hat

A white hat hacker performs ethical hacking activities with the owner's explicit permission, always adhering to legal and ethical guidelines.

BSuicide Hacker

A suicide hacker refers to someone who is willing to take extreme risks and face legal consequences for their hacking actions.

CGray HatCorrect

A gray hat hacker operates in a moral and ethical gray area, typically performing offensive security actions (like finding vulnerabilities without permission) but often with the intention of notifying the owner or improving security rather than causing harm, and may also engage in defensive security work. They blend aspects of both white hat and black hat hackers.

DBlack Hat

A black hat hacker performs malicious activities without permission, with the intent to cause harm, steal data, or gain unauthorized access for personal gain.

Concept tested: Hacker types (Gray Hat)

Topics

#Hacker types#Gray Hat#Ethical hacking#Cybersecurity roles

Community Discussion

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