Computer Hackers: Cause and Prevention

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 inadve

. . .
C's public key instead of B's public key. If that happens, C will be able to read all of Computer A's messages to Computer B. Several solutions have been suggested to fix this problem, and a solution appears likely. In this area, network administrators are winning the battle against hackers. If a solution is found, ômany cryptologists contend that the gap between cipher makers and cipher breakers will only widenö (Zimmerman, 1998, p. 115). Indeed, encryption technology has proven so potent that several U.S. government agencies have sought to limit its export. These agencies fear that terrorists and unfriendly governments will use the technology in ways that will harm the U.S. (Rivest, 1998, p. 116). The third level of security involves the programming language Java, which dominates the Internet. Computers run the Java language by downloading small applications called ôapplets.ö An obvious danger of such applets is that a hacker will intercede and create a destructive applet, which will then be downloaded by unsuspecting users. Sun Microsystems, the author of Java, has created a system to avoid that potential scenario (Gosling, 1998, p. 109). The process begins when a computer downloads an applet, which initially is not pl
. . .

Some common words found in the essay are:
Machine JVM, Cheswick Bellovin, Break Networks, Moreover RLD, Computer Computer, Microsoft Windows, Computer A's, Hackers Hackers, Security Computers, President Clinton, computer security, koerner 1999, computer networks, 1999 pp, public key, scientific american, platt 1996, air force, meinel 1998, 1998 pp, cheswick bellovin 1998, 1998 october ôhow, packet filter firewall, scientific american pp, gosling 1998 109,
Approximate Word count = 4957
Approximate Pages = 20 (250 words per page)

More Essays on Computer Hackers: Cause and Prevention