Which term describes professionals who conduct authorized testing to identify security weaknesses?

• A. Ethical Hackers
• B. Hacktivists
• C. Black Hat Hackers
• D. Script Kiddies

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is people who perform security testing with permission to uncover weaknesses so they can be fixed. The best term for this is ethical hackers. They operate under authorization and a defined scope, using the same tools and techniques that attackers use, but with the goal of improving security rather than causing harm. This is a formal part of security practice often described as penetration testing or authorized risk assessment.

Other terms describe different motivations and levels of authorization. Hacktivists pursue political or social goals and may act outside legal boundaries. Black hat hackers are attackers who seek to exploit vulnerabilities for personal gain or disruption, without permission. Script kiddies are inexperienced individuals who use ready-made tools without understanding how they work, and they typically lack authorization and professional discipline.