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In 1999, the Federal government was afraid of a massive cybercrime being committed. American intelligence predicted that international terrorists planned to unleashed a widespread, computer virus. That virus was to disable all electronics nationwide. The main targets were New York City's financial district, Washington's Pentagon, military facilities and major U.S. airports. It became known as the Y2K Scare. However, it succeeded in spreading panic and perhaps distracting law enforcement to the real threat. That occurred September 11, 2001.

Computer hacking used to be a fun gimmick perpretrated by nerds wearing plaid shirts. People who enjoyed computer program "manipulaton" became identified as "hackers". Hackers endured the same social ostracizing as geeks, nerds, "Emos", Goths, skaters and the "stoners". Hackers fell into their own cliques like everyone else. But, they never enjoyed the pleasures and perks of popularity. They envied the jocks. They envied people who hung out with the jocks. Like other outcasts, hackers accepted their bottom rung on high school's social ladder.

Hackers were the lonely, white kids. Some of them probably "visited" lockers and gave bullies their lunch money. Other kids joined the group, such as Asian, foreign exchange students. These individuals knew the ins and outs of computer terminals. They became non-paid, teachers' assistants in computer labs and study halls.

However in time, the world evolved to depend more on brains instead of brawn. Advanced technology outweighed physical might. Computer programmers, systems analysts, systems technicians and professional gamers emerged as profitable careers. Sony rose to dominate the gaming world. Nintendo, Nintendo DS, Playstation, Playstation II and Playstation III created an era focused on computers, innovation and imagination.

Suddenly, hackers found their niche in the world. They overcame their athletic tormentors of the past. They did so by outearning them. Hackers succeeded by being brilliant and creative. They refused to change and waited for mankind to come to them.

And, mankind did. Military regimes asked for exotic, defense systems to protect from attack. In doing so, they enlisted computer experts and hackers to create those systems. Those creators then designed "back doors" to get into those systems at any time. The same situations occurred with international, banking institutions. The free world ran on cryptic codes, routing numbers and firewalls. However, hackers used their skills to disrupt those systems whenever and wherever. Each time a hacker struck, they took on a bigger challenge. It wasn't enough to disrupt bank transactions. They began opening files in the FBI's database. They began changing data in companies' pension funds.

Later on, Microsoft, Apple and Sony corporations spent billions on protecting their PCs (personal computers), laptops and servers from hacking. They started constructing systems with anti-viral downloads built right in.

The Federal government deemed hacking as a "national security threat". It was thought that Osama Bin Laden's Al Qaida terror network employed hackers to commit cyber-based crimes. Cybercrime gave rise to identity theft. Banks began losing the customers' accounts to embezzlement. Hackers used their computer skills to frustrate law enforcement. They assisted drug cartels launder their profits much easier. Law enforcement started employing computer experts to counter illegal hackers.

With so much of the world dependent on computers, hackers became a powerful force. They realized their goals of taking control of society.

Learn more about this author, Marcus Brooks.
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