by Josh Luethy

Created on: August 25, 2009

Computer hacking is nothing more than a set of skills. If a computer user locks themselves out of their machine then who else would come to their aid? No different than a locksmith opening a car door, the need will always arise for computer hackers. Professional computer hackers generally go by a different name though, many prefer the term 'security analyst'. The most famous of these security analysts is a man called called Kevin Mitnick, arguably the father of modern computer hacking. Before he was a security analyst though, Kevin had a run in with the law over computer hacking. Since he served his time though, he has made millions by telling companies how to keep hackers out.

Hacking isn't just about computers though. Before computer hacking was mainstream there was the 'phone phreaking'. Using a series of tones, many hackers could use the telephone systems to route their own calls and do many numerous tricks or pranks. Another term that is growing more and more is 'social engineering' which is nothing more than being able to talk yourself into or out of situations, like ordering a pizza and claiming the order was messed up to get it free of charge. Social engineering also covers scoping out ones surroundings, maybe taking a photo of someone with a security badge on or someones license plate. All of these things can be looked up and researched if you know what your looking for. The list of skills professional hackers have goes on.

The problem appears when someone with the skills has no obligation to help. Certain hackers can and will invade computer systems for nearly the same reasons, be it monetary gain or just the rush it gives, like a challenge or a puzzle. Furthering ones own knowledges about computers is fine until it hurts someone else and then it crosses the moral line. Just like a car-jacker, its not the skills they know but how they decide to use them that determine how moral something is.

There is good news though. Much of the hacker underground frowns upon helping those with shady objectives and would rather use their own skills to impede or hinder amateur hackers that just want to mess up someones computer system. The effort required to learn this unique set of disciplines is great and can take many years to perfect. Helping someone who doesn't know when or how to use these skills could hurt the publics understanding of the legitimate side to hacking.

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