Bounty Hunting: Track down 'Wanted' ships in Resource Extraction Sites (RES), Nav Beacons, or Interstellar Factors. Destroying them earns you bounty vouchers, which can be cashed in at starports. Higher-grade RES sites offer more challenging opponents and greater rewards. A well-equipped combat ship is essential.
Piracy: A more morally ambiguous path. Interdict other ships, disable their drives, and demand cargo. This requires a specialized ship with cargo hatch breakers and potentially limpet controllers. Be warned: piracy will earn you a 'Wanted' status and make you a target for system security.