The Positive Definition of Hacking
Hacking is the act of breaking into or exploiting security weaknesses in a computer system. Some hacking techniques are beneficial while others can be quite malicious.
There are three main categories of hackers. The first group includes hackers who break into computer networks to steal or modify data. Others may use their skills for personal gain or to promote a political agenda.
The second category involves social engineers who deceive users into revealing their private information or financial assets. These are sometimes referred to as Script Kiddies because of the way they use pre-written scripts to get their hands on information.
In the mid-1990s, inexpensive home computers with Unix-like operating systems made it possible for individuals to participate in the programr subculture of hacking. This type of hacking was primarily about personal gain.
During this era, high profile cybercrimes occurred. For example, the hackers behind the distributed denial of service attack were responsible for disrupting services on major websites such as Amazon and Yahoo! It was also around this time that the public Internet gained a foothold.
One of the more recent examples of the positive definition of hacking was in an article in Psychology Today. That article explored the addictive nature of computers.
Several other examples include a dictionary attack that inserts common words into password fields. Similarly, an ATM fraud involves intercepting ATM card details and using them to withdraw funds from an unauthorized bank account.
Despite the popularity of the positive definition of hacking, many people still use the term in its more negative sense. A large segment of the technical community insists that the term be used correctly.