white hat

Definition of white hat

1 : one who is admirable and honorable

2 : a mark or symbol of goodness could use a few more guys in white hats— Robert Christgau

3 : a hacker who tests computer systems for possible vulnerabilities so that they can be fixed Chu, 33, is part of a fraternity known as "penetration testers" or "ethical hackers," a group of experts who are hired to hack into computer systems or find other ways to gain access. These so-called "white hats" will spend days or weeks searching company systems to come up with recommendations for fortifying corporations against such threats.— Greg Wiles — compare black hat

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