What is Hacking?
Hacking is a term that invokes the image of a rogue hacker in a bedroom, but in truth the practice is highly sophisticated and multibillion-dollar industry. Hacking involves identifying weaknesses in computer software and systems and exploiting them to bypass security measures, steal data or cause disruption. It requires a high level of technical skill, problem-solving skills and creativity. Hacking has been used for both good and bad, but is most commonly conducted as a crime, for example stealing passwords to access bank accounts or causing a distributed denial of service attack on the servers of large corporations or government agencies.
The roots of hacking are thought to date back to the 1960s, when members of MIT’s Tech Model Railroad Club began tinkering with their high-tech train sets in an effort to expand their capabilities. They soon moved on to computers, tinkering with their IBM 704s to explore and improve the limits of what the technology could do. Hackers gained notoriety in the 1990s, with many high-profile cybercrimes committed by them, including stealing proprietary information from big companies and even hijacking the servers of the Department of Defense and International Space Station.
Not all hackers are criminals, however – some conduct ethical hacking and penetration testing for the benefit of everyone else. These are known as “white hat hackers” and they seek to find and exploit vulnerabilities before malicious criminals do, in order to improve cybersecurity for everyone. They also educate the public by speaking at conferences or publishing advisories, and are lauded for their efforts.