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Top: Computers: Hacking: Ethics (5)

DescriptionComputer hacking (and hacking in general) is an often misunderstood part of today's society. As the media and various computer security outfits like to focus on what hackers have the potential to do, instead of what they actually do. In general, a hacker is seen as a social outcast that turns to the computer to gain a sense of power by generally destroying and stealing the possessions of other people. While that is true of some hackers, it is only one part of the entire picture. What we are dealing with here is an entire coculture, having roots as far back as 1960, when the term "hacker" was first applied to MIT students. Many hackers adhere to a mostly unwritten code of ethics, which sometimes would lead both outsiders and new hackers into believing that they don't exist at all. Surprisingly it is these same people that are most visible. People just beginning their exploration onto the Internet will most likely come into contact with the "rogue hacker" or a hacker that doesn't follow the hacker code of ethics. These rogue hackers portray a bad image of the hacker community in general, and often seem immature by using the so called "elite speek (l33t3, h4ck3r l4m3r)." This category was started with the hope to better educate non-hackers and hackers alike about what it truly means to be a hacker, the various types of hackers, and various aspects of the hacker community. It also has the purpose of teaching hackers about the non-hacker society, as hackers also carry misconceptions about the "real world."

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Last update: Jul 4, 2010 07:47:14. Powered by the Open Directory Project.