What term describes individuals who use their hacking skills for malicious purposes?

The term that accurately describes individuals who utilize their hacking skills for malicious purposes is "cracker" or "attacker." These individuals engage in unauthorized activities that compromise systems, steal information, or cause harm to organizations or individuals. The terminology distinguishes them from ethical hackers, who operate within legal boundaries and aim to protect systems by identifying vulnerabilities.

In contrast, ethical hackers, security analysts, and penetration testers are all professionals in the cybersecurity field who work to enhance security. Ethical hackers, for instance, use their skills to find and fix vulnerabilities but do so with permission from the system owners. Security analysts monitor security systems to detect and respond to threats, while penetration testers simulate attacks to assess the security posture of organizations, conducting their activities legally and ethically.

Understanding these distinctions is crucial, as it helps clarify the roles and motivations of different players in the cybersecurity landscape, reinforcing the importance of ethical conduct in the use of hacking skills.