Which term refers to White-hat hackers who test security for defensive purposes?

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

Answer: (A)

Testing security defense is done by ethical hackers, also known as white-hat hackers. They perform authorized testing to find and fix vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them, typically through structured activities like penetration tests and security assessments. This approach relies on permission, legality, and a defender’s mindset—the goal is to strengthen defenses, not to break in or cause damage.

The other terms don’t fit the defensive role: hacktivists pursue political or social goals and may operate outside the law, focusing more on messaging than on protecting a specific organization; black hat hackers aim to steal, disrupt, or damage for personal gain, which is the opposite of defensive testing; script kiddies are inexperienced individuals who use pre-made tools without understanding how they work, not professional testers working to improve security.