Description: The term ‘Script Kiddie’ refers derogatorily to individuals who use scripts or programs developed by others to carry out hacking activities, without possessing a deep understanding of the technology or methods they are employing. These individuals often lack advanced technical skills and, instead of developing their own tools, rely on the work of others to execute cyber attacks. Script kiddies are often perceived as a lesser threat compared to more experienced hackers, as their approach is based on the reuse of existing tools, which limits their ability to adapt or innovate in the hacking field. However, their activity can be harmful, as they may carry out automated attacks that affect systems and networks, often without fully understanding the implications of their actions. In a general technological context, script kiddies may use predefined commands and scripts to perform tasks such as exploiting vulnerabilities, scanning networks, or executing denial-of-service attacks, all without a deep understanding of how these processes actually work.
History: The term ‘Script Kiddie’ began to be used in the 1990s, in a context where hacking was becoming increasingly accessible due to the proliferation of available tools and scripts online. As technology advanced, so did the ease with which users could access these tools, leading to an increase in the number of people engaging in hacking activities without proper technical training. This phenomenon intensified with the rise of the Internet and the availability of forums and online communities where hacking scripts and techniques were shared.
Uses: Script kiddies often use their limited skills to carry out cyber attacks such as port scanning, SQL injection, phishing, and denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. They often employ automated tools that allow them to execute these attacks without needing to fully understand the technical fundamentals behind them. This can result in the exploitation of vulnerabilities in systems and networks, which can cause significant damage to the affected organizations.
Examples: An example of a script kiddie could be an individual using a tool like LOIC (Low Orbit Ion Cannon) to perform a denial-of-service attack against a website, without understanding how the tool actually works or the legal implications of its use. Another case could be the use of SQL injection scripts available online to compromise databases without having knowledge of their structure.
