Computer Hacking
Updated and Revised by Amy Benish, University of St. Francis, Joliet, IL
2002 Addendum Written by Ginger Kastor, Millburn C.C. School, Wadsworth, IL
Original by David M. Stone, University Laboratory High School, Urbana, IL
Introduction
Hacking, defined as unauthorized use, or attempts to circumvent or bypass the security mechanisms of an information system or network, is an illegal act conducted by a person that knows programmable systems and how they work. It has been described as nothing more than playing around with computer code. Hackers have formed groups, creating there own culture, and even have conferences together to share their knowledge and abilities.
Hacking first began in the mid 1950's when hackers learned more about the internal workings of the nation's phone system and radios to gain access to free telephone calls. With the introduction of computers, hackers found a new communication system to hack. Hacking is of general interest to teenagers and young adults and self-taught hackers are generally more accepted in their "society" more openly than educated hackers.
Types of Hackers
Fours categories of hackers have been identified by Marc Rogers and Jerrold M. Post:
- Old School Hackers: These are your 1960s style computer programmers from Stanford or MIT for whom the term hacking is a badge of honor. They're interested in lines of code and analyzing systems, but what they do is not related to criminal activity. They don't have a malicious intent, though they may have a lack of concern for privacy and proprietary information because they believe the Internet was designed to be an open system.
- Script Kiddies, or Cyber-Punks: Most commonly what the media calls "hackers." These are the kids, like Mafia Boy, who most frequently get caught by authorities because they brag online about their exploits. As an age group, they can be between 12 and 30 years old, they're predominantly white and male, and on average have a grade 12 education. Bored in school, very adept with computers and technology, they download scripts or hack into systems with the intent to vandalize or disrupt systems.
- Professional Criminals, or Crackers: These guys make a living breaking into systems and selling the information. They might get hired for corporate or government espionage. They may also have ties to organized criminal groups.
- Coders and Virus Writers: Not a lot of research has been done on these guys. They like to see themselves as an elite. They have a lot of programming background and write code but won't use it themselves. They have their own networks to experiment with, which they call "Zoos." They leave it to others to introduce their codes into "The Wild," or the Internet.
Issues
By educating students about hackers, proper steps can be taken by students to prevent their computers from being broken into by unauthorized people. Educators should also talk to students about the consequences of their actions and talk openly about computer ethics. Students need to understand that hacking is illegal and can lead to major trouble.
Legal Implications
Some hackers feel that they are no more than explorers out to see how far they can get into other computer systems. Others, usually known as crackers, are out to find information, change something, or cause damage in other's computer systems.
Hacking is covered under law Title 18: Crimes and Criminal Procedure: Part 1: Crimes: Chapter 47: Fraud and False Statements: Section 1030: Fraud and related activity in connection with computers.
The federal punishment for hacking into computers ranges from a fine or imprisonment for no more than one year to a fine and imprisonment for no more than twenty years. This wide range of punishment depends upon the seriousness of the criminal activity and what damage the hacker has committed.
Ethical Hacking
Due to the increase in usage of the Internet for credit card purchases and online banking, for example, an extensive amount of personal information is given over the Internet. Because commercial and private sector institutions are concerned with keeping their systems secure, some have hired hackers, refered to as "independent computer security professionals," to attempt to break security. In this situation, ethical hackers would not damage a system or steal information. The goal of an ethical hacker is to report back an weak areas of a system and determine ways to decrease the likelihood of a site from actually being hacked.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between a hacker and a cracker?
According to The Jargon Lexicon, hackers are defined as the following:
[originally, someone who makes furniture with an axe] 1. A person who enjoys exploring the details of programmable systems and how to stretch their capabilities, as opposed to most users, who prefer to learn only the minimum necessary. 2. One who programs enthusiastically (even obsessively) or who enjoys programming rather than just theorizing about programming. 3. A person capable of appreciating hack value. 4. A person who is good at programming quickly. 5. An expert at a particular program, or one who frequently does work using it or on it; as in `a Unix hacker'. (Definitions 1 through 5 are correlated, and people who fit them congregate.) 6. An expert or enthusiast of any kind. One might be an astronomy hacker, for example. 7. One who enjoys the intellectual challenge of creatively overcoming or circumventing limitations. 8. [deprecated] A malicious meddler who tries to discover sensitive information by poking around. Hence `password hacker', `network hacker'. The correct term for this sense is cracker.
Cracker is a person who breaks security on a system. The cracker is looked down upon in the hacker group. The crackers are usually more secretive and have small groups in which they share their knowledge. Crackers are potentially more harmful than the true hacker.
Why do hackers consider their work valuable?
Hackers believe that sharing information is beneficial and very powerful. They do not see any harm in sharing resources with each other to gain access into public places as long as no damage is done.
How can hacking be helpful?
Some agencies hire hackers to identify security downfalls so they can improve their system against hackers. A person who attempts to break into a system or network to identify security flaws is refered to as a white hat hacker. Some white hat hackers are employed by computer security companies and are sometimes called "sneakers."
Annotated Web Site Directory
The Pros & Cons of Ethical Hacking
Ethical Hacking by C. C. Palmer
Computer Hacking Wikipedia
An excellent collection of information on computer hacking.
How to Prevent Hacking
Site with information on how to prevent your computer from being hacked.
The Jargon File
This is a site that discusses different areas of being a hacker, including slang terminology, pronunciation guide, hacker writing style, and hacker folklores.
Technology and Pleasure: Considering Hacking Constructive
Discussion of history of the hacker community and hacker ideology.
TLC Feature: Hackers: Computer Outlaws
Interesting site including hacker hall of fame, history, psychology, cyber defense, lingo and other web links.
Active Matrix's Hideaway
This company brings information to viewers, aimed at business owners, to let them know of daily updates of alerts, news and information. It also provides "all the resources necessary to Protect and Secure (tm) their online presence."
Concerning Hackers Who Break into Computer Systems
Article on hackers, hacker ethics and how hacking relates to issues and practices of an information society.
Who's Responsible for Improving Security
Many links available to different issues of hackers, such as who they are, the risks they endure, who is responsible, and how to protect yourself from hackers.
Computer Hacking Links
The Hacker Dictionary
The Broken video series on hacking
The MIT Gallery of Hacks
The Jargon File
The Hacker Emblem
Hiring Hackers As Security Consultants
How To Become A Hacker
Free Software Foundation
Open Source Initiative
Digital Information Society
SecureRoot Directory
Hacker News
Hackers.com
Hacker Games
Hacker Interviews
Paul Graham's Hackers & Painters Essay
Paul Graham's Great Hackers Essay
WPI Hackers of the '70s
A Brief History of Hackerdom (2000)}
HackThisSite.org-Learn to web hack
Learn To Hack - Hacking Challenges
Use of the Word "Hacker" post on newsgroup net.flame
Last Updated:
08/02/2005
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