Which term refers to hacking back a perpetrating hacker?

• A. The act of reporting cybercrime to authorities.
• B. Hacking back a perpetrating hacker.
• C. Setting up a honeypot to trap attackers.
• D. Signing a cybersecurity policy.

Answer: (B)

Hacking back is the term used to describe retaliatory hacking against the attacker. It’s a label for taking offensive action in response to cybercrime. While the idea might come up in discussions, it’s generally illegal and raises serious ethical and legal concerns because it can violate laws, cause unintended harm, and escalate conflicts or misattribute blame.

The other options describe constructive or legal responses: reporting cybercrime to authorities pursues justice through official channels; setting up a honeypot is a defensive tactic to lure and study attackers without harming them; signing a cybersecurity policy is about establishing rules and commitments within an organization. The question points to the term that literally names the act of retaliating by hacking, making it the appropriate choice, even though it’s not advised in practice.