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Computer Hackers: Cause and Prevention

As the technological revolution has transformed the world in recent decades, computers and computer networks have become ubiquitous throughout society. Not surprisingly, computer hackers have become almost as ubiquitous. Hackers range from the mischievous at one end to the truly dastardly at the other. Regardless of their motives, they pose a huge threat to the technological infrastructure that underpins the modern world. This paper will examine computer hackers, from their goals and personalities to the preventive measures adopted by business and governments to thwart them.

Hackers generally fall into three groups. The first group hacks into computer networks just to prove they can do it. The mischievous ones often leave proof of their entry and then exit the network. The majority of hackers fall into this first group, and they are largely harmless. Indeed, they completely reject the actions of the second and third groups (Platt, 1996, p. 52).

What would drive someone to tap into private computer networks just for fun? ôBecause it is thereö would be the response of many hackers. For some, it is all a game, and at times they even help computer security experts. ôMany expert hackers trespass on systems strictly for the challenge and will patch holes on the way out or notify system administrators about how they broke inö (Koerner, 1999, p. 49).

Others, called ôscript kiddies,ö are just plain destructive, often intentionally but sometimes inadvertently. They often fit the traditional image of a hacker: a shaggy-haired young man, blessed with intelligence who lacks social skills. Some hackers, of course, do not match the stereotype, but regardless of their appearance, recreational hackers all seem to share an intense distrust (if not hatred) of authority. Hacking is their way of striking back at the powers that be (Koerner, 1999, p. 49).

Hacking also is a way of gleaning information. One hacker, nickna...

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Computer Hackers: Cause and Prevention. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 01:55, March 29, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1709407.html