Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) Practice Exam 2026 – Your All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

The type of hacking characterized by the spread of viruses and malware is commonly referred to as black hat hacking. Black hat hackers operate with malicious intent, seeking personal gain through illegal activities such as stealing sensitive information, disrupting services, and compromising systems. They develop and distribute harmful software, including viruses, worms, and Trojans, to exploit vulnerabilities in computer systems for malicious purposes.

In contrast, white hat hackers are ethical hackers who use their skills to improve security by identifying and fixing vulnerabilities within systems, often working with organizations to safeguard their networks. Gray hat hackers occupy a space between the two extremes, sometimes engaging in questionable practices without malicious intent but often without permission. Green hat hackers are typically novices in the hacking world, still learning about cybersecurity and hacking techniques.

Thus, the essence of black hat hacking lies in its malicious nature and the deliberate use of malware to inflict harm, making it the correct answer to the question.