Hacking vs Programming

Writing programs requires technically skilled individuals such as programmers and hackers, who are both skilled at giving computers instructions to perform specific tasks. The question is: are programmers also hackers, and can are hackers be considered to be programmers?

To answer the question, a hacker is not always a programmer, although programming skills are necessary for hacking systems. Similarly, a programmer can be a hacker, but the two roles are very distinct.

In this article, we’ll be discussing the difference between hacking and programming.

What is Hacking?

Hacking is the act of compromising digital devices and networks through unauthorised access to a network, data or computer system by exploiting vulnerabilities.

A hacker is someone who uses their technical skills to gain unauthorised access to data, systems or network with the intent to exploit vulnerabilities for various reasons.

There are various techniques involved in hacking, such as;

• phishing: Where hackers trick users into sharing confidential information using fake websites or emails.

• Malware: Hackers use malicious software like a trojan which appears to be a legitimate software but contains harmful code to infect systems.

• SQL Injection: Hackers exploit vulnerabilities in a database to manipulate data.

• Denial of Service (DoS): Hackers overload network traffic to make systems or services unavailable to users.

Hackers possess knowledge of programming languages, understand how systems and networks interact, and are proficient in using cybersecurity tools like Wireshark. They are skilled at finding creative means to bypass security and at manipulating people into performing actions that gives them access into devices or systems.

Types of Hackers

The most common types of hackers are;

Black Hat Hackers: Black hat hackers explore systems to find vulnerabilities that can be exploited for financial gain and other malicious purposes.

White Hat Hackers: White hat hackers are ethical hackers- let's call them the good guys. They attempt to prevent black hat hackers, who usually use their technical skills to break into systems, by assessing and testing the systems level of security.

Gray Hat Hackers: They can be seen as both good and bad; they hack into systems not with the intent to exploit them, but rather raise awareness about vulnerabilities. However, their actions may sometimes alert malicious actors to these weaknesses.

Script Kiddies: A script kiddie, or skiddie is an unskilled hacker who uses scripts or software programs created by others for malicious purposes.

Hacktivists: Hacktivists are hackers that use their skill for political or social activism. They hack into systems to protect people against bad and corrupted organizations or the government.

What is the purpose of hacking?

The purpose of hacking varies depending on what type of hacking is involved. For instance, the reason why bad actors hack into websites, networks or systems could be for financial gain, personal gratification or recognition, corporate espionage, retaliation, or activism (Hacktivism).

Hacking also plays a role in improving cybersecurity, and is not necessarily associated with criminal activities. For instance, companies perform ethical hacking and penetration testing to evaluate their systems by simulating attacks and discovering how systems would fare in the event of a real attack.

What is Programming?

Computer programming involves composing sets of instructions called programs that a computer follows to solve problems or perform specific terms.

These instructions are written in a programming language which translate human-readable commands to machine executable code examples such as C++, Python, etc

The first computer program was written by Ada Lovelace in 1843. She created the first machine algorithm to calculate a sequence of Bernoulli numbers to be calculated by Charles Babbage's Analytical engine.

programming has evolved since Ada love laces’ algorithm, starting with early computers where programs were written in machine code (binary instruction of 0s and 1s) which was tedious. This was followed by assembly languages, where an assembler translated human-readable assembly code into machine code. Then came high level languages where programmers wrote instructions in human-readable code, with examples such as; COBOL and FORTRAN.

This evolution continued with structured programming language which was more structured and versatile for creating systems and applications examples are C and Pascal. Object oriented programming followed, were programming language was designed for readability examples are C++, Java, python.

Scripting languages simplified programming and enabled the development of interactive and dynamic web content. Today, AI and machine learning have introduced low code and no code platforms where users can build applications with minimal programming language.

What is the purpose of programming?

The purpose of programming is to perform various tasks that make certain processes simple and improve efficiency. For instance, search engines allow us to search for anything and receive a quick response. It could be searching for your favourites recipe or finding information on a term you've never heard before. Let’s look at different purposes of programming;

Automation of Tasks

Programming is used to develop tools that automate tasks. For instance, these tools or software’s can automate repetitive and manual task, making them reliable, time saving, and effective in eliminating human error.

Problem-Solving

Programming allows the creation of solutions to real-life problems e.g., Programming has been used to create ground-breaking medical imaging software which helps radiologists analyse medical scans such as X-rays, CT scans. The programs detect anomalies and assists doctors in diagnosing deceases on time and more accurately.

Innovation

Programming drives innovation, example includes AI (Artificial Intelligence) systems. It has provided tools, structure and algorithms to build AI systems. AI are programmed to think and perform task like humans, and these tasks may include recognizing patterns, solving problems and making decisions.

Economic Growth

Programming fuels the economy by providing technologies that promote business opportunities. Programmers have developed software’s across various industries , such as, health care, and commerce, etc which creates job opportunities driving economic growth.

What tools are required for programming?

Examples of some tools required for programming includes;

Text editors: Tool for writing code e.g., VScode, Atom

Version Control Systems: Used for tracking changes in code and collaboration e.g., GitHub, Bitbucket, GitLab

Compilers and Interpreters: Converts code into executable code. e.g., JVM, Node.js

Build Tools: Tool that automates the process of compiling code, running test, packaging and deploying code. e.g., Webpack, Maven

Databases: Database is used for managing data storage retrieval, and manipulation e.g., MongoDB, MySQL

Framework and Libraries: Already made code that provides functionality to hasten development time e.g., Spring, Django, Angular

Package Manager: A tool for managing libraries and dependencies in programming projects. e.g., NPM (Node Package Manager), Maven

Testing Tools: Tool used for automating test to ensure the code works as intended e.g., Jest, PyTest

Debuggers: Tool that helps programmers find bugs and fix bugs faster e.g., chrome dev tools, XCode Debugger

The tools used in programming depends on both the type of programming and the programming paradigm. Programming paradigms describe ways to style and organize programming.

A programming paradigm comprises of structures, features and methods used to solve programming problems. Programming paradigms also involve different programming languages suited to solving specific problems. Some languages are specific to a particular paradigm, while others can fit into multiple paradigms.

The two main categories of programming paradigm are imperative and declarative paradigm, however, both paradigms have sub paradigms that provide specific approach to solving problems.

Imperative Programming

Imperative programming includes steps of statements that describes how a program should perform tasks. It manages performance of the program by specifying sequence of commands that are executed sequentially, changing the state of the program until the desired result is achieved.

In a nutshell, Imperative programming is where the programmer describes what the computer has to do with specific steps. Examples of imperative programming languages include; Java, JavaScript, Python, C, C#, C++, Ruby, R and MATLAB.

Sub Paradigms of Imperative programming include;

• Procedural Programming: Procedural programming focuses on using procedures to execute tasks. It divides task into smaller structure code for better organization.

• Object - Oriented Programming: In OOP, the program is organised around objects that contain data and methods used to perform operations on the data.

• Modular Programming: Modular programming involves separating programs (program functions) into independent modules (independent pieces) that can be used interchangeably.

• Structured Programming: This is a sub-set of procedural programming which uses control structure such as loops(iteration) and conditionals for flow control to organize and improve code readability.

Declarative Programming

Declarative programming or model-based programming is a style of building structure and elements of computer programs that expresses the logic of a computation without describing the flow.

In simpler terms, it is a style of programming where you describe what you want to achieve rather than how to achieve it. Examples of declarative programming language include; SQL, Lisp, Haskell, Prolog, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, C#, HTML, CSS, and XML

Sub paradigms of declarative programming include;

• Functional programming: This programming paradigm focuses on writing pure functions to build programs. These functions always return the same output for the same input. It is considered declarative because it focuses on what to solve rather than how to solve a problem.

• Logic Programming Language: This is based on logic, where programs consist of facts and rules, and the system derives answers through logical deduction. An example of logic programming languages is PROLOG (programming logic), DataLog.

What skills are required for programming?

To become a programmer, you need technical skills such as understanding programming languages, data structure and algorithm, as well as problem solving and logical thinking abilities. Additionally, soft skills like analytical thinking, attention to detail, quick learning, time management and patience are necessary. The skills, tools and technology required varies, depending on the path of programming you choose.

Hacking vs. Programming

Summary

The difference between a programmer and a hacker varies in various ways. For instance, the act of hacking focuses on breaking into vulnerable systems, which can be done either ethically or unethically. While programming focusses on building, solving problems, and improving systems and software’s that benefits human activities

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there specialized fields within ethical hacking, and how can one specialize?

Yes, ethical hackers can specialize in areas like web application security, mobile security, or IoT security. Specialization involves gaining in-depth knowledge and experience in a specific niche through focused learning and practical application.

What are some ethical hacking achievements or milestones that can enhance a professional resume?

Achievements such as uncovering critical vulnerabilities, successful penetration tests, or contributions to open-source security projects can enhance a professional resume. Certifications like OSCP and demonstrating real-world impact are also valuable.

Can biometric data be hacked or spoofed?

While no system is entirely foolproof, biometric data is generally more challenging to hack or spoof compared to traditional passwords. Advanced biometric systems incorporate liveness detection and encryption techniques to mitigate the risk of unauthorized access.

How can ethical hackers contribute to the broader cybersecurity community?

Ethical hackers can contribute by sharing knowledge, mentoring others, participating in open-source projects, and responsibly disclosing security vulnerabilities. Collaboration strengthens the overall cybersecurity community.