Hackers with high IQ: The dangerous link between intelligence and cybercrime

More often than not, we associate high-IQ individuals with groundbreaking discoveries and innovation. However, in the world of cybercrime, intelligence is a double-edged sword. There’s a darker side to intellectual prowess.

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It’s well-known that some of the most notorious hackers in history have shown exceptionally high IQs. Their attacks have shown their advanced problem-solving skills, expertise in coding, and strategic thinking. Their extraordinary cognitive abilities allowed them to find vulnerabilities for financial gain and political motives.

Let’s find out why some of the brightest minds choose the dark path.

Every person with high intelligence has a unique set of cognitive and psychological traits. Here are some of them:

• Smart people feel an irresistible urge for puzzles, intellectual challenges, and systems. That’s why for some of them hacking becomes an enticing endeavor;
• Rule-breaking mentality. You won’t find a high-IQ person working in a rigid and formal environment. They tend to question authority, break norms, and seek ways to bypass rules. Such a trait is incredibly useful to innovation but it can also lead to activities that break the law;
• Social isolation. The difference in the way of thinking between an ordinary person and a brilliant individual leads to their social isolation. That’s why some bright minds might seek validation in the online world. Anonymity allows them to experiment with coding and hacking. And their intelligence gives them a cue that such an activity won’t have immediate consequences;
• Thrill-seeking behavior. Normal things and activities don’t fan the spark. In turn, hacking gives a feeling of adrenaline rush. It becomes an addictive activity for people who crave intellectual stimulation;
• Financial and political motivations. Besides the thrill, some highly intelligent people might take advantage of their skills to put food on the table and affect political scenes. In this regard, hacking becomes a captivating career path.

Some of the infamous hackers have made headlines for their cyber exploits. Here are some of them:

• Kevin Mitnick. One of the most-wanted hackers had committed a serious act when he was only 16. Kevin used his skills to break into networks, steal corporate secrets, and manipulate digital systems. Eventually, he served 4 years in prison. Later, he has become a cybersecurity consultant;
• Gary McKinnon. In search of hidden information about unidentified flying objects in the US military and NASA, he carried out one of the largest attacks in history. Luckily, he escaped punishment as his country refused extradition. Moreover, even in his homeland, he did not face any punishment;
• Albert Gonzalez. This mastermind stole more than 150 million credit card numbers. His intelligence and deep understanding of cybersecurity enabled him to evade law enforcement for years. Still, he was not able to completely avoid prison. He spent 20 years in confinement and was released two years ago.

How high-IQ hackers exploit technology

Nowadays, there are rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, blockchain, and deep learning. In this regard, smart hackers seek new ways of exploiting tech for cybercrime. Here’s what they do:

1. Attackers use artificial intelligence to automate their activities, create deepfake scams, and bypass systems responsible for security more efficiently;
2. Smart hackers take advantage of blockchain tech to hide illicit funds. That’s why authorities find it difficult to trace such transactions;
3. Software is ubiquitous in every field of activities. And it’s not without flaws. In this way, hackers discover vulnerabilities before firms can patch them and exploit them. It leads to massive security breaches;
4. It’s easy to manipulate ordinary people when you have a high IQ score. Attackers conduct sophisticated phishing attacks that trick even cybersecurity experts.

And here’s the biggest debate. Should they be treated as criminals or potential assets to cybersecurity? There’s a great argument. Some people believe that masterminds should be rehabilitated. They suggest that companies should hire them as ethical hackers who can strengthen their companies’ cyber defenses. On the other hand, some people believe that their potential contributions can’t outweigh their damage.

As practice shows, super-intelligent hackers rarely manage to stay unnoticed and avoid punishment. After serving their sentence and not wanting to return to prison, they begin to use their expertise for the benefit of governments and society. That’s why more and more governments and enterprises have started hiring ex-hackers as security experts.

On the one hand, intelligence is a powerful tool for innovation. On the other hand, it can be a dangerous weapon in the wrong hands. That’s why the link between high IQ and cybercrime is a complex issue. Possessing unique psychological characteristics, some geniuses may use them for good, while others may pursue illegal goals. In turn, hacking becomes an attractive idea for unlocking potential.