In 2025, cybercriminals leverage AI and ransomware, with global costs at $10.5T (Cybersecurity Ventures). The attackers are individuals or groups. They try to make use of the vulnerabilities for their mission. These criminals are interested in credit cards, product designs, and anything with some value. The type of cybercriminals are the following:
Amateurs
Amateurs are also called script kiddies. They have only some skills and want to be hackers. They lack any serious technical expertise and usually use existing tools to start attacks. Some are just curious, and others try to show their skills and cause damage. They are just using basic tools and usually can attack very weakly secured systems, but the results can be very destructive. In 2025, script kiddies use AI tools for phishing, amplifying damage (Kaspersky report).
| Type | Skills | Tools | 2025 Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Script Kiddies | Basic | Pre-built (e.g., Metasploit) | AI-enhanced DDoS kits on dark web. |
Hackers
Usually, they work secretly and create tools for hacking. They often break into computers or networks to gain access for various reasons. The goal of the break-in determines the categorization of these hackers as white, grey, or black hats. The figure below illustrates the type of hackers.
White Hat Hackers
These are ethical hackers who use their programming skills for good and legal processes. They break into networks or computers with the permission of the owners to find weaknesses in these systems and improve security aspects. White hat hackers use their skills to discover network vulnerabilities and report to developers and owners for fixing these issues before the vulnerabilities can cause damage. Certified via CEH; contribute to bug bounties earning $100K+ (HackerOne 2025).
Black Hat Hackers
The black hat attackers are people who take advantage of any vulnerability for illegal missions. Blackhat hackers are unethical hackers. These hackers compromise the network permission for their gain. Examples: Lazarus Group for financial theft (Mandiant 2025).
Gray hat hackers
These hackers are between white and black hat attackers. The grey hat attackers may find the vulnerability and report it to the system’s owners to fix the problem. Some grey hat hackers publish the facts about the vulnerability on the Internet so that other attackers can exploit it. Risk legal issues; e.g., 2025 disclosures on GitHub leading to exploits.
Tools and Techniques Used by Hackers
White hats use Burp Suite for pentesting; black hats exploit zero-days. As a network engineer, recommend SIEM for detection.
Organized Hackers
These are cybercriminals’ organizations, including hacktivists, terrorists, and state-sponsored hackers. These criminals are generally groups of skilled criminals focused on control, power, and wealth.
Hacktivists
Hacktivists are cybercriminals who make political statements to raise awareness of different issues regarding their rights. Groups like Anonymous; 2025 attacks on governments (e.g., Ukraine conflict hacks).
State-sponsored
State-sponsored attackers collect intelligence or situate damage on behalf of their government. These attackers are very high and well-trained. Their attacks focus on particular goals that are helpful to their government. These attackers are usually members of their country’s armed forces. E.g., APT28 (Russia) for espionage (CISA 2025); use advanced persistent threats.
Terrorists as Cybercriminals
Groups like ISIS use cyber for propaganda/disruption (CISA 2025 alerts).
Evolution of Cybercriminals in 2025
In 2025, cybercriminals use AI for automated attacks, with ransomware gangs like LockBit evolving into ecosystems (CrowdStrike report). 68% of attacks are state-sponsored (Microsoft). Enthusiasts: Join bug bounties on HackerOne to simulate white-hat scenarios.
Defense Strategies Against Cybercriminals
Implement zero-trust; monitor with IDS. Enthusiast tip: Practice on TryHackMe.
Authored by a network engineer with 10+ years in secure network design.
FAQs
What are the types of hackers based on their motivations?
Hackers are categorized by intent: white hats (ethical, pentesting with permission), black hats (illegal gains like data theft), gray hats (mixed, may disclose vulnerabilities publicly). In 2025, white hats earn via bounties, while black hats use AI for ransomware (Microsoft report).
Who are script kiddies and why are they dangerous?
Script kiddies are amateurs using pre-built tools for attacks, lacking expertise but causing destruction on weak systems. In 2025, AI kits amplify their reach (Kaspersky). Defend with patches and firewalls; enthusiasts can test via CTFs to understand risks.
What are organized cybercriminals and their goals?
Organized groups include hacktivists (political, e.g., Anonymous), terrorists (disruption), state-sponsored (espionage, e.g., APT28). Focus on power/wealth; 68% attacks state-linked (Microsoft 2025). Use zero-trust and SIEM for defense in networks.
How have cybercriminals evolved by 2025?
From pranks by hobbyists to professional AI-driven threats, with ransomware costs at $10.5T (Cybersecurity Ventures). Groups exploit vulnerabilities for credit cards/data. Enthusiasts: Learn via TryHackMe to simulate and counter modern attacks.
What is the role of white hat hackers in cybersecurity?
White hats ethically hack with permission to find/fix vulnerabilities, reporting to owners. In 2025, they use tools like Burp Suite; contribute to bounties (HackerOne). As a network engineer, recommend collaborating for secure designs.
