Who are vigilantes targeting black hat hackers?

Vigilantes that target black hat hackers are typically referred to as red hat hackers. This term describes individuals who take a proactive, sometimes aggressive stance against malicious hackers, actively seeking to disrupt their activities or retaliate against them. Unlike traditional ethical hackers who operate within the law to help improve security, red hat hackers may cross ethical boundaries in their quest to fight back against cybercriminals.

Red hat hackers are motivated by the desire to protect systems and networks from harm, and their actions often reflect a deep commitment to fighting against those individuals who exploit vulnerabilities for personal gain. They may employ various tactics, including hacking back against black hat hackers or exposing them publicly.

The other categories of hackers—green hat, blue hat, and grey hat—serve different roles within the hacking community. Green hat hackers are typically beginners in the field, blue hat hackers can be seen as enthusiasts who test software or systems for security but are not dedicated hackers, and grey hat hackers operate in a more ambiguous moral space, often hacking without permission but not necessarily maliciously. Thus, red hat hackers clearly align with the concept of vigilantism against black hat hackers.