Which statement best describes counter-hacking?

• A. Hacking back a perpetrating hacker.
• B. Defensive monitoring only.
• C. Reporting cybercrime to authorities.
• D. Purchasing threat intelligence feeds.

Answer: (A)

Counter-hacking is about taking direct, active steps against the attacker. Describing it as hacking back the hacker who is intruding captures the essence of the term: an retaliatory, offensive move aimed at the perpetrator rather than just watching, reporting, or buying defensive tools. The other options describe defensive or procedural actions—monitoring to detect and defend, reporting cybercrime to authorities, or acquiring threat intelligence for defense—none of which involve taking action directly against the attacker. In real-world practice, counter-hacking raises legal and ethical concerns, but as a description, hacking back best conveys what counter-hacking intends to do: respond offensively to the attacker.