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It explains the term "white hat" as a reference to an ethical hacker who uses their skills to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in computer systems with permission and the intention of improving their security. The page also discusses the role of white hat hackers in various areas such as penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and incident response. The article provides a historical overview of white hat hacking, dating back to the 1960s when early computer systems were explored for security flaws by researchers. It describes how the term "white hat" came into existence and contrasts it with other categories, such as black hat hackers (who engage in hacking for malicious purposes) and gray hat hackers (who fall between the two extremes). The page covers the common methodologies and techniques utilized by white hat hackers, including social engineering, network scanning, and ethical exploitation of vulnerabilities. It also discusses the legal and ethical implications of white hat hacking, emphasizing the importance of obtaining proper authorization before conducting any security assessments. Furthermore, the article explores the certifications and organizations relevant to the white hat community, such as the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification and the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP). It highlights the significance of collaboration between white hat hackers, software developers, and security professionals to ensure the continuous improvement and protection of computer systems. Overall, the Wikipedia page on "White hat (computer security)" serves as a comprehensive resource for understanding the role, history, methodologies, and ethical considerations associated with white hat hacking in computer security.