Computer System Hacking and Cracking: Its Impact On Society
As computer technologies have come into widespread use, computer related crime has emerged as a major problem for society. The costs of these crimes are inestimable. In the past, hacking and cracking behaviors were typically engaged in by mischievous youths. At one time, hackers who cooperated with the authorities received mild treatment. More recently, however, attitudes have begun to change. In response to the increasing prevalence and severity of computer-related crimes, new statutes have been enacted. These laws give authorities the power to respond effectively to hacker attacks. By shifting the emphasis away from the specific monetary damages inflicted by such crime and considering its larger implications, the new laws will result in stiff fines and jail sentences for convicted offenders.
Over the last few decades, computer related crime has escalated at a rapid rate. Of the various different types of computer crime, hacking involves secretly entering computer systems and maliciously destroying or stealing data (Littlejohn 37). In order to engage in these criminal activities, however, hackers must also be "crackers." "Cracking" involves obtaining the password to a computer. Actually, breaking into computers is a relatively easy thing to do. Crackers typically employ computer programs which try every word in the dictionary at a rate of 10,000 words per second. These programs can break the passwords on some systems within about 30 minutes (Freedman 40). A typical hacker might, for example, commit a hacking attack on "Internet." Over 15 million people already use the computer network. Say the hacker wanted to access the computers of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH); they would first have to find the correct Internet "address." Numerous software programs are available on the system for obtaining such information. In addition, really det...