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How to Delete iMessage from a Mac with Movavi Mac Cleaner

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Do you know that every Mac comes with its very own instant messaging software installed in the form of iMessage? It is really quite a useful little app, especially seeing as it will automatically sync your messages across your iPhone and iPad too. That being said if you don’t use it then it is just going to sit there eating up space – which is why you may want to remove it.

movavi mac cleaner

Unfortunately removing iMessage is not as easy as you may first think, and if you attempt to do so you’ll be greeted with an error that stops you from doing so. Because iMessage is a ‘native’ OS X app, it can’t be deleted through normal means – just like Safari, Chess, iPhoto and so on.

Movavi-Mac-Cleaner for removing apps from macbook pro

That being said just because iMessage can’t be deleted through normal means that does not mean that it is impossible to do so. If you want you could use the command prompt and manually remove it, but the easier way is to use Movavi Mac Cleaner to remove it in just a few clicks:

  1. Launch Movavi Mac Cleaner and let it scan your Mac (if you want to remove other junk files you can choose to do so too).
  2. Locate the ‘Uninstaller’ tool on the left and select it.
  3. Let it scan the apps on your Mac then navigate to the ‘OS X Apps’ menu.
  4. Find the ‘Messages’ app and check the box next to it.
  5. Click ‘Remove’ to delete iMessage.

See how straightforward it is? Certainly using Movavi Mac Cleaner to remove iMessage or any other native OS X app is a lot more convenient than trying to manually do so through the command prompt.

It would be worth your while to use Movavi Mac Cleaner to also clean all the junk from your Mac – and all it will take to do that is a single click. Also you may want to remove any other apps you no longer use with the ‘Uninstaller’ and securely delete confidential files with the ‘Shredder’.

By the time you’re done employing the features in Movavi Mac Cleaner, you should have a lot more free space on your Mac. If nothing else at least you now know how to remove iMessage from Mac without having to jump through any hoops to get the job done.

3 Layers of DFARS Compliance

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Whether you are new to the Defense Industrial Base or a veteran contractor with years under your belt, keeping your cybersecurity network secure is among the most critical of responsibilities. As a contractor with the Department of Defense, you are obligated to protect the interests of the government and military from criminals and adversarial nations. The DoD is very clear on its cybersecurity requirements for contractors like yourself. These regulations are outlined in the cybersecurity clause of the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement. Commonly referred to as DFARS, this mandate is your guide to equipping your systems to adequately protect Controlled Unclassified information. 

DFARS compliance is your duty as a participant in the DIB sector. If you’re unclear about what compliance entails, it is helpful to think of it in three successive portions: DFARS, NIST 800-171, and CMMC.

DFARS

As previously stated, DFARS stands for Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement. Simply put, DFARS is a document that lays out the rules and regulations for how contractors within the defense sector are to handle Controlled Unclassified Information or CUI. Whether your business is small or large, your cybersecurity network will need to adhere to these regulations in order to win contracts and remain in good standing with the DoD.

The cybersecurity clause of the DFARS requires you to remain in close communication with the Department of Defense in the event of a security breach. Once you’ve identified an attack, you are required to provide the DoD with regular updates for a 90-day period. More importantly, the DFARS utilizes a document called NIST-800 to specify how your systems should be set up. 

NIST 800-171

National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800 is arguably the most critical piece of your company’s DFARS compliance. This document is comprised of 14 points that detail the correct procedures,  policies, and specifications for your company’s cybersecurity apparatus. It is your guide to assessing threats, performing maintenance, and performing authentications. The provisions outlined in NIST 800-171 must be implemented and maintained for your contract to be in good standing. Failure to do so could put your contract in jeopardy, and risk your ability to win them in the future.

At this time, most contracts allow businesses to self-certify the integrity of their systems according to NIST 800-171. However, the third layer of your company’s compliance with DFARS is expected to introduce verification by an outside entity. 

CMMC

Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification is the third layer of DFARS compliance. Abbreviated as CMMC, this standard will fortify the DoD’s cybersecurity standards and is expected to be fully implemented by 2025. CMMC uses the NIST 800-171 framework to establish maturity levels. Each subsequent level comes with stricter requirements. However, the level that you need to meet will depend on the nature of your business. While CMMC is being phased in gradually, it is a good idea for you to prepare now.

Since the implementation of this measure relies heavily upon the framework of NIST 800-171, ensuring that your systems are in lockstep with those specifications is a great way to get prepared. If you are unsure about your current level of compliance or if you’d just like to consult with an expert, it is wise to develop a relationship with a reputable compliance management service.

Compliance Management Services

An experienced compliance manager can answer all of your questions regarding cybersecurity. They will have the tools and knowledge to adequately assess the readiness of your network and they will be able to advise you on the necessary actions to get your systems up to par. If you have any doubts about your company’s compliance with DFARS, a compliance manager is sure to put them to rest.

Many Layers and Many Forms to Channelize a Website

Websites are no longer confined to static pages offering a plethora of information. It has become a dynamic source of information with pictures and GIF files and stops motion animated videos all set to give you an experience. Users visit websites for the experience the joy it provides rather than for the static information they ought to read from. Developers are on a constant run for innovating and developing creative dopes to appease to a particular kind of audience. It is not necessary for your website to be an e-commerce portal which is in the boom the days. Social media portals, gaming portals and visual treats are also gaining popularity. People claim to enjoy for ‘free’ and sip the data the sites have to offer.

Channelising a website

 

Marketing techniques involved

Marketers constantly developing and implementing strategies to make the consumer feel charmed by the site offerings. Marketing mostly consists of digital marketing techniques which tend to ambush the consumer in a friendly manner. Email marketing and direct marketing is common methods used online and targeted reach is also used widely. Many times, the customers are asked to enter their personal details and tight security is implemented to stop data poaching. At times the customer does feel hesitant to enter their personal details especially bank details or phone numbers. Credibility is built through words and actions and the customers feel confident to share the details. The company’s policies need to be strong and there should not be an information leak. The marketing team needs to be in cahoots with the operation and development team about the same.

Also read: 10 Things Your Competitors Can Teach You about Web Design

Transaction portals used

A common marketing gimmick is to allure and charm the customers with amazing content and visuals. Upon reaching the threshold, the customers need to switch to a premium account mode. Smart wordplay will be used and the customers will feel happy using the same. There are a lot of options offered by these portals for payment methods. Some of the common methods include bitcoin, Paypal, Payment Service Provider (PSP) to name a few. Bitcoins are created by the anonymous group of programmers back in 2008 and marketed as a payment method in 2009. It involves peer-to-peer transaction and is extremely engaging. It is the largest method of decentralized currency and is accepted by web hosting servers as well as portals. Paypal falls under the widely used E-wallet and acts as a pay as you go wallet. You keep recharging the certain set of amounts to make transactions. Payment Service Provider (PSP) comprise Debit and Credit cards offered by the banks. This is the most conventional method of online transaction and is not safe. The reason being you cannot trust a portal with your card details. There is a risk of poaching and data duplication.

Building a credible portal

It is essential on the developers’ part to have strong security measures which will keep the customers’ data safely. This will yield a better deal for your user and he will soon become the messenger for your company. He will speak highly of your portal and recommend it to his friends and family.

6 Free & Automatic Call Recorder Apps for Android

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Communication these days have gone two steps ahead of what it was earlier. It has made life easier with permanency being its capability. So for instance, when it comes to communicating digitally, you interact with someone over an email and there remains a hard record of what is being exchanged. In the case of a fraud or other foul play, you at least have some proof of the abuse. But normally this isn’t the case when it comes to telephonic conversations. Once your call is over, there’s no record of what was being discussed. But you actually have the option of recording your calls on Android if it isn’t inbuilt. And you can do this for your convenience so you don’t forget things or for your security, so you have a record of all the discussions. Therefore let me tell you about certain call recorder android applications that allow you to function effortlessly. Choose the one that best suits your needs. And make the upcoming year the year of convenience and safety. Happy 2017!

1. Automatic Call Recorder

Automatic Call Recorder - Logo
Automatic Call Recorder – Logo

This is my personal favorite. Automatic call recorder is an easy-to-use android application having a very simple user interface & design. It also is aesthetically beautiful. The app allows you with Dropbox and/ or Google Drive connectivity to easily backup the calls. It actually does what the name says!

Automatic Call Recorder makes sure to record all your calls without any intervention. You can later add notes to remember what the recording is about. Or ignore certain contacts to not record their calls. You can even hide the notifications of calls getting recorded. The theme colors are changeable plus you have a storage size of up to 300 calls on the free version. At $7 the Pro version removes those advertisements (which personally I don’t find annoying), give you an inbox size of 1000 calls and of course gives you other additional features.

Automatic Call Recorder Application for Android

But yes, sometimes issues arise with the recording quality. You can barely hear one side of the call. And even if you try the Voice Call & Voice Communication options in both AMR & WAV formats, unfortunately, it still sounds poor. But calls made through earphones sound better and certainly loud enough. But whatever the situation is, I prefer using Automatic Call Recorder for my day to day needs. It is convenient and solves my purpose. The free version works fine for most people and you can use speakerphones to record in case of better audio quality needs.

Download: Automatic Call Recorder (Free)

2. Call Recorder

Call Recorder - Logo
Call Recorder – Logo

Despite receiving all the necessary updates, this app looks unpleasing. It offers just a few basic settings which are all common amongst the other recording applications.

You don’t have the option to export your recordings to cloud storage. So this would require you to take an additional step of browsing files in the file manager app.

And you record with or without speakerphones, the other person is just impossible to be heard. But on speakerphone, the audio sounds better. Too many negatives but too simple of an app.

Call Recorder Application for Android
Call Recorder Application for Android

Call Recorder app works best for some people. And this definitely is for the ones who aren’t concerned with hi-fi technical features but just need an app for basic recording purpose.

Download: Call Recorder (Free)

3. Another Call Recorder

The Another Call Recorder is a sophisticated android application. Before starting, the app demands confirmation of call recordings being legal in your country. It also asks you to acknowledge that the app cannot record Wi-Fi or internet calls. Once you join in, there comes up a Material Design application with a bit more features than the Automatic Call Recorder app.

This application can categorize your recordings into “incoming, outgoing, important status, contact or date.” There also is an extended support for cloud service, including OneDrive and emailing, but this is locked behind the $3 Pro version.

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Audio quality is better both through normal call or via speakerphone. Another Call Recorder consists of some really advanced features and also has those aesthetic looks. So despite the low audio volume, I recommend Another Call Recorder because if you want to share the recordings to your cloud storage then this is what you need.

Download: Another Call Recorder (Free)

4. Super Call Recorder

Super Call Recorder - Logo
Super Call Recorder – Logo

So, Super Call Recorder sounds really promising. The recording quality on this app sounds good. There is minimal to almost no hissing. But like others, you need to use the speakerphone for hearing the other person. There aren’t many options for customization.

Apart from the positives, there again are certain features which are very similar to the Call Recorder. There’s no option to change the “type” of recordings. Plus you need to export the files to the cloud services manually.

Super Call Recorder Android Application
Super Call Recorder Android Application

And some people are okay with an application popping advertisements, but this app has ads from recommended junk to even the full-screen ads while playing a recording. So the choice is yours. I would again suggest that too technical things are liked by a few but one who is happy with basic settings can obviously go ahead with this app.

Download: Super Call Recorder (Free)

5. All Call Recorder

Another Call Recorder - LogoThis is a very simple & efficient call recording solution for your Android smartphone. All Call Recorder records all your incoming & outgoing calls. It saves the telephonic conversations in 3gp file format. The recordings can be saved automatically or you can choose manually to record.

All the recorded calls are shareable via cloud storage, Bluetooth, e-mail, messengers, etc. For sharing or deleting a particular audio, you can long press on it to see the context menu and carry the process forward. The available cloud storage options are Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft SkyDrive and YouTube.

Download: All Call Recorder (Free)

6. Call Recorder – Automatic

Call Recorder - Automatic (Logo)The Call recorder automatic enables you to record calls while on phone. It lets you choose which call you want to save and which you want to share. The Call Recorder Automatic app records all your calls on auto-pilot. It’s easy to manage and your recordings get sorted by names, group or date. This is an advertisement supported version.

The app provides you the option of enabling or disabling the recordings of your incoming & outgoing calls. You can white list the contacts to avoid recording them which I feel is an option in almost all app (call recording) settings.

Call Recorder Automatic Android Application
Call Recorder Automatic Android Application

While on the other hand, Call Recorder Automatic doesn’t let you hear the recordings inside the application and instead it requires you to open the audio via music player. The other sad part of the app is that you need to upgrade to the Pro version just to share your recordings (within the application).

Download: Call Recorder Automatic (Free)

Please Note: At the end, it is important on my part to let the audience know that in some areas it’s forbidden to record the telephone calls. For instance, in the USA, a majority of the states require at least one party on the phone call to be notified about the recording. Summarizing all the laws on this matter is beyond the scope of this article. But make sure to do your research before taking any step.

Rules to Follow While Choosing Your Domain Name

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Choosing the right domain name could be a pretty challenging affair. You may be starting a new business, or maybe you already have a brand but you are attempting to take that brand online. It could be that you are interacting with clients who are shifting their brand online. You may be initiating a new brand or a new firm. Whatever the state of your business, you are going to require a website.

Internet and domain names concept

 

Before you make your presence felt online, you must give it a good thought. Think about the domain name and your brand name. See how your brand name is actually represented via your chosen domain name online. It is a fact that domain names would be having an intense impact across the web, as far as, the click through rate is concerned right from search to the ultimate social media results, to type-in traffic, to referring links, offline advertising, and brand-ability. You could find expiring domains to start your own profitable business of domain flipping. However, there are certain rules that you need to follow while opting for a domain name.

Also read netfirms vs godaddy

It Should Be Truly Brandable

Choose a domain name that sounds very much like a brand. Brandable implies that when you hear someone or yourself say aloud the domain name, does it actually sound like a brand or does that sound very much like a generic? So that implies that numbers and hyphens are an actual issue because they are not capable of making something sound almost like a brand. They would be making it sound strange or generic.  Is the brand memorable? Do not include generic keyword strings. These generic keyword strings are usually very difficult to remember as it is not easy to stand out from the rest. If you are looking for something unique, you must avoid the partial and also matching keyword with domain names. Also, if you consider the numbers in MozCast, for instance, or maybe in correlation studies, it could be seen that during the last decade or so, they have been able to do nothing apart from trending down, as far as, their correlation with the SEO rankings and also their capacity to show in various search results.

It Should Be Pronounceable

You may be wondering how is it vital to make it pronounceable when most searchers are going to type or click on a specific link. Actually, it is logical thanks to a concept known as processing fluency. It is actually a cognitive bias which human beings have whereby we necessarily remember and develop more positive associations chiefly with things which we are able to think about and say easily. Your domain name should essentially be pronounceable so that the processing fluency is not lost. You cannot afford to lose the memorability and also miss out on the advantages of brandability created by you.

It Should Be As Short As Possible

You must follow the other important rules first before focusing on the sheer length of your domain name. However, the length would matter simply from the point of view of processing fluency. The lesser characters any domain possesses, the easier it would be for typing, for saying, for sharing and it would get less shortened in search results and social media platforms. But be careful and do not go too short. For instance, PastaScience.com is a good domain name. The moment you shorten it and make it PastaSci.com, it loses pronounceability, as well as, memorability to some extent. It becomes a brand but is tougher and little awkward.

It Should Definitely Have a Bias to .com.

Today numerous TLD extension options are available but .com is the most popular, easily accessible and recognized brand apart from the tech world. Cognitive fluency and processing fluency dictates that it is better to choose a domain name extension that people are able to connect with. .com is the most frequently used domain name extension among the non-tech savvy people. If in case, it is not available opt for.co or.net.

It Should Not Infringe on Some Other Company’s Trademark

You simply cannot trespass. You cannot infringe on some other company’s trademark. Do not ever get confused on this count. You could face legal action. It would be better to consult a legal professional or a qualified attorney if you are having any sort of concerns.

Conclusion

If your target audience is able to correlate what you do by looking at your domain name then it is a huge positive. Your domain name should be such that people are able to guess at once, what your company does by looking at it. Your domain name should be instantly intuitive.  Keep all the above-mentioned rules forever in your mind while making domain choices.

Author Bio: David Wicks is an SEO expert attached to a private SEO company. He comes up with excellent posts about SEO tips, strategies, guide and other related SEO issues. In his latest post, he advises his readers to find expiring domains and consider using them.

ASUS Zenfone 3 Max – Big Battery & Decent Performance

All the Zenfone series smartphone have been amongst those affordable options that are available for all kinds of target audiences. But this time Asus has aimed a bit higher with superior features and high pricing strategy for the ASUS Zenfone 3 Max (ZC553KL). The smartphone is priced at Rs. 17,999 and the 4,100 mAh battery is its USP. The phone looks promising and it also seems to be long lasting providing high capacity. But has ASUS really achieved what they claim to? Let’s find out.

Asus Zenfone 3 Max - A Glance at the Specs
Asus Zenfone 3 Max – A Glance at the Specs

HOW IT LOOKS?

The build quality of this device is much superior and sturdy. The “design thinking philosophy” has been beautifully maintained constructing a smartphone that reduces all the bulk & keeps it all sleek and simple. Zenfone 3 Max gives a premium feel when held in hand due to its metallic design along with being super comfortable. The looks are beautiful every time because of the elegant as well as a classy aluminum alloy body.

Asus Zenfone 3 Max - How the Phone Looks
Asus Zenfone 3 Max – How the Phone Looks

The smartphone weighs just 175 grams and is 8.5mm thick on the sides. The surface of this smartphone has a matte finish along with rounded corners that make it look sophisticated and durable. The phone truly is built for those with an active lifestyle being long lasting. It has chamfered edges, the bezel is slim and all the elements make it only add to the appearance.

DISPLAY OF THE ASUS ZENFONE 3 MAX

The Zenfone 3 Max possesses a full HD 5.5 inch screen size featuring a 1080 x 1920 pixel resolution display. It has a 2.5D contoured edge glass. All the images produced are sharp and vibrant making whites look white and blacks look black. Viewing the screen in outdoors is also not eye-stressing. The smartphone has a 75% screen-to-body ratio which is the highest amongst such similar smartphones.

Asus Zenfone 3 Max - Vibrant Display
Asus Zenfone 3 Max – Vibrant Display

SPECS & PERFORMANCE

Asus Zenfone 3 Max supports a hybrid SIM slot bearing one Nano and one Micro SIM card. This means that the device is capable of supporting either two SIM cards at once or one SIM card and one microSD card.

The device is coupled with a 3 GB RAM and is equipped with a 1.3 GHz octa-core Qualcomm snapdragon 430 SoC. It also has a provision for an Adreno 505 graphics processor. But these specs actually works best on an entry level smartphone whereas are a bit weaker for a mid range phone like the Zenfone 3 Max.

So if we talk about the overall performance of this specific device then it seems to be absolutely on power (when compared with the previous models). But if talked about the phone in itself then it lacks that potential, especially at this price point. Your gaming experience can also be a little dull & boring as the heavy games lag and do not deliver what is promised.

There are certain sensors on the phone including the ambient light sensor, proximity sensor, accelerometer, magnetometer, and gyroscope.

OPERATING SYSTEM & USER INTERFACE

Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) Operating System runs pretty smooth along with a customizable ZenUI 3.0 interface. You can easily tailor the layout, themes, and transitions. The ZenUI highlights consists of:

  • ZenMotion Touch Gesture
  • ZenUI Launcher
  • ZenUI Themes
  • ZenCircle
  • Photos+
  • Game Genie
  • Mobile Manager and more

FINGERPRINT SENSOR

The rear panel of ZenFone 3 Max smartphone has a fingerprint sensor that of course enables you to unlock the phone along with letting you answer phone calls and capture photographs. It is conveniently placed at the top of its rear panel. And the sensor allows your index finger to naturally rest on it.

Asus Zenfone 3 Max - Fingerprint Sensor
Asus Zenfone 3 Max – Fingerprint Sensor

The unlocking happens rapidly but isn’t the best considering the price tag. It just works fine and sometimes even refuses to respond completely. The sensor can also be used to authenticate the other apps. It registers up to five fingerprints & easily makes the detection regardless of the direction of your fingers.

You may also like to read : Asus Zenfone 3 – Complete Package of Beauty and Performance

PIXEL MASTER CAMERAS

If you love taking photographs then the ASUS Zenfone 3 Max is for you. The Zenfone 3 Max camera would definitely not disappoint you. With a 16 MP primary (rear) camera featuring f/2.0 aperture & dual LED flash it captures sharp and stunning pictures day and night. But the close-ups definitely lack that focus. The 8 MP secondary (front) camera couples with a wide angle lens featuring f.2.2 aperture. It captures detailed photographs but under better lighting.

Asus Zenfone 3 Max - Pixel Master Cameras
Asus Zenfone 3 Max – Pixel Master Cameras

The camera app is well designed and has tons of features (like Low Light mode, Super Resolution Mode, Panoramic Mode, Beautification, HDR and more) that you can choose to make pictures look more creative & attractive. Zenfone 3 Max utilizes the PixelMaster camera technology.

STORAGE

Asus Zenfone 3 Max has a 3 GB RAM and a 32 GB internal storage which at this price point is amazing. The memory is expandable up to 128 GB via a microSD card.

AUDIO QUALITY

The audio quality of this device is superior particularly with earphones/ headphones (both wired and wireless). All the sound effects are customizable with its inbuilt audio wizard application. But the quality through the smartphone’s speaker is a little feeble.

4,100 mAh MASSIVE BATTERY

This zenfone model is no different from the others. It features a massive 4,100 mAh battery which is the biggest highlight of this phone. It can simply last for a day and a half but lacks the fast charging feature.

Asus Zenfone 3 max - 4100 Massive Battery
Asus Zenfone 3 Max – 4100 Massive Battery

It’s a high capacity lithium-polymer cell battery which is capable of acting as a power bank (reverse charging) so you can charge your other devices.

 

Asus Zenfone 3 Max - Reverse Charging Feature
Asus Zenfone 3 Max – Reverse Charging Feature

There are five power saver modes that perfectly fit the needs of every user. The modes include Normal, Poer Saving, Super Saving, Performance, and Customize. But most amazingly the battery guarantees a 38-day standby.

PRICING

The Asus Zenfone 3 Max smartphone is priced at Rs. 17,999 which is a bit pricey weighing all the pros and cons.

AVAILABILITY

This device is available for both the online and offline retailers in India. The retailers are select Asus Preferred Partners along with all major online portals. And the phone comes in four magnificent colors – Glacier Silver, Sand Gold, Rose Gold, and Titanium Gray.

VERDICT

With all the features that are included in this smartphone, everything seems to be in place. But being priced at Rs. 17,999 the specs could have been better and exciting. We rate this phone a score or 7.5 on 10. 

PROS

  • Compact
  • Sturdy Built
  • Light weight
  • Vibrant Display
  • Better Battery Life
  • Enhanced (in ear) Audio Quality
  • Superior Cameras

CONS

  • Low-Performance Gaming Experience
  • No Backlit Touch Keys
  • No Gorilla Glass
  • Bit Expensive

Do you need help from Ethical Hackers?

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Whether you own a business or you are just dealing with the cybersecurity, you may have come across the term ‘ethical hacking’. This is a service that is increasingly being offered by professional cybersecurity firms.

ethical hacking: Ethical Hackers

To understand whether ethical hacking could be helpful for you, or you really need Ethical Hackers for work? there are a few things you need to understand the term. Let’s take a closer look at hacking and how the ethical hacker became such an important tool for businesses looking to reinforce their cyber defences.

Also read: 4 Types of Deadly Hacking and the Secret behind them

Aren’t all hackers evil?

For many people, the word ‘hacker’ means online criminal stealing passwords, data and money from both businesses and individuals. This idea of the hacker as a villain has been pushed by the media presenting stories about large companies that have suffered from hacking attacks – like the infamous phone-hacking scandal, where editors of the News of the World were convicted of numerous offences.

Perhaps it’s no surprise then, that when you hear the phrase ‘ethical hacker’, it can be difficult to understand how those two words can be used in the same sentence. If hackers are all evil criminals preying on the vulnerable, how can they be ethical? The truth is that it is not fair to label all hackers as the bad guys.

There are actually two schools of thought about hacking. Firstly, those hackers that you are more familiar with are known as ‘black hat’ hackers. They are the ones using their skills to break down cybersecurity to attempt to steal or defraud. While ethical or ‘white hat’ hackers use those same skills to uncover the weaknesses in systems and have them corrected before black hat hackers can exploit them.

Also read: Secure Yourself Against Identity Theft in 3 steps

A quick history of hacking

When the word ‘hacking’ was initially used in the way that we know it today, it wasn’t considered a negative term. Instead it actually a phrase used by engineering students at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the 1960s to mean bypassing certain functions of electrical systems to make them more efficient. Indeed, in this original incarnation of hacking, it was considered to be a useful activity that could only be positive.

It was only when people started to see the application for bypassing systems in order to defraud companies or institutions that hacking began to take on a negative meaning. Through the 1970s, the kind of hacking that got the most news coverage was ‘phreaking’, which involved using sound emulators to fool the dialling tone used by phones. This allowed the hacker to make long-distance calls for free.

Then when personal computers gained widespread popularity in the 1980s and all sorts of data and information was stored on them, unscrupulous hackers began to see the possibilities for using their skills for illegal purposes. They started using their understanding of programming languages and knowledge of computer systems to take control of them.

Is your business at risk from hackers?

Unfortunately, it’s the case that cybercriminals now target businesses of virtually any size with everything from a tiny online store to huge corporations suffering from hacking attacks. For example, a study in 2013 estimated that 30,000 websites were hacked every single day. That means that if you don’t have adequate cybersecurity you could be on the receiving end of a hack that could cause real problems for your business.

As long as there have been hackers attempting to manipulate systems of their advantage, there have been ethical hackers attempting to make it harder for them to do so. Ethical hackers use their knowledge to uncover those same weaknesses that black hat hackers would look to exploit – they then pass this information on to the business or organisation so that they can defend themselves for that type of attack.

There is a range of ethical hacking strategies, one of which is called penetration testing. However, if you are using a cybersecurity company that offers penetration testing it’s worth knowing that its scope is narrower than ethical hacking.

Is penetration testing enough?

Penetration testing is an important part of ethical hacking but the two terms should not be confused. If one company is offering you penetration testing, it’s not the same thing that you will get from another offering a comprehensive ethical hacking service. Penetration testing refers to ethical hackers using digital methods to access the system – this could include programming tricks and other digital means.

This is very useful as it is one of the best ways to overcome serious deficiencies and weaknesses in your software. However, penetration testing doesn’t necessarily prepare you for the more sophisticated techniques that modern hackers engage in. So let’s look at exactly why you will benefit from full ethical hacking.

Why do you need ethical hacking?

Unlike penetration testing, ethical hacking attempts to investigate every possible way that a black hat hacker might look to defeat your cyber defences. When they have discovered a way to beat your defences, they report back to you and show you how they were able to access your system. This gives you the chance to fix the problems before real hackers can attack you.

Using ethical hackers will also make sure that you aren’t preparing your cybersecurity blindly. As ethical hackers will use the same techniques as black hat hackers, they will allow you to understand the weaknesses in your system and prepare for them adequately.

If you don’t use ethical hackers you simply won’t know how well your system would perform against a full-scale hacking attack. Some of the world’s largest companies have suffered catastrophic attacks, which just shows that they are weak in just about any cybersecurity system.

How do ethical hackers work?

Ethical hacking does not follow a set guideline, it is simply an attempt to emulate black hat hackers. As discussed with penetration testing, hackers are expert programmers who understand the common vulnerabilities of cybersecurity, so they will attempt to find ways to defeat the software itself.

They will also use techniques such as sending out bogus emails and creating fake log-in screens in an attempt to trick employees into handing over their credentials. Once hackers have these details they can easily gain access to the system without having to do any further work.

But ethical hackers don’t stop here. They understand that hackers can use all sorts of alternative ways to get into a system. Criminal activities including surveillance of staff and even different forms of social engineering to find ways in. If there is an easy way into your system, hackers are much more likely to find and use it, so it shows the importance of training staff to be aware of the dangers.