Agenda

What is a hacker
What motivates a hacker
The hacking training community

Who

belongs?
The rules of the game (aka Hacker
Ethic)

Conclusions

What is a hacker?
Many ways to describe hackers:
1. Creates and modifies.
-computer software and computer hardware

2. Exploits systems and gains unauthorized access.

-through clever tactics and detailed knowledge.

3. Computer enthusiast/person who enjoys learning

programming languages.
4. Someone who breaks into computers.
5. Can make a computer do what they want
6. Anyone who breaks open code and manipulates
it in a clever or original
-Not necessarily illegal.

Types of Hackers- white

hat

White Hat- hired by large

corporations, or governments

Usually as a Tiger Team

Tiger Team is a team that is hired to test

the security of networks/find flaws or
loopholes

Will snoop around networks, trying to

find loopholes

If such loophole(s) is/are found report

created explaining how hack was achieved

Types of Hackers- grey

hat

Grey Hat
Unhired
People who break into networks for fun

Usually dont intentionally cause harm

(following hacker ethic)
Enjoy doing this

Perceived as challenge
Want kudos from hacker peers

Want to test security to prevent such

attacks in future

Types of Hackers- black

hat

Black hat/crackers
Stereotypical hacker you hear about in the
media
Break into systems and damage them

May write things like you just got served by X

group
May delete files, erase portions of code, etc.

Crackers fall under this category

Use reverse engineering of assembly code to make
it open source, or to customize it to their liking
Also known as pirates, or warez writers

What motivates a hacker

To help others
Hooliganism
Criminal intent
Financial gain
Most hacker activity is of a nature where
money is rarely involved
Curiosity
Intellectual Challenge
Security heads-up!

The hacking communitywho belongs

To join, have to be recognized

Sharing your creations (time, creativity,
open source programs)
Learn to code efficiently

Hackers like well-coded programs

Better the program- more kudos

Become recognized when top hackers

recognize you

The hacking communitythe Hacker Ethic

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

reject hierarchies
mistrust authority
promote decentralization
share information
serve your community (i.e. the hacker
community)

Reject Hierarchies

User no less important than author

People are only judged on skill

User may be able to improve product

Authors are also users of others products
No social class, age, gender, race restrictions
Open source programs
Hacking into secure networks

Hackers ignore what society says about class

Have their own community

Have their own system

Mistrust Authority

Believe in libertarian environment

A rule is meant to be broken

Everyman for himself

Government shouldnt dictate our boundaries
If said cant be done; green light to do it

Increased security= better problem to

solve

Increased security is better reason to find

loopholes

Hacker Joke of the day!!

Not your typical hacker

Promote
Decentralization

Every man for himself mentality

Segregation from society good

Keeps your identity more secure

More efficient work can be done

Cooperation can occur over internet

Dont need to be physically near each other

Communities operate worldwide

Share Information

Believe all info should be free

no restricted info

software should be open source

no top secret files

Governments should NOT hide things
Open source= free/no copyrights
Increases awareness of software out there

Value of info increases when shared

Data can be basis for learning

software can be improved collectively

Serve Your Community

Contribute to open source projects

Become beta tester
Code new projects to share
Make improvements to existing ones

Keep Hacker infrastructure intact

Make FAQs on how to be a hacker
Establish websites/meeting places for hackers
Boring jobs: maintain mailing lists, project
databases/archives, moderate hacker news
groups

Conclusion

Gave broad overview of hackers/hacker

culture

what is a hacker?
White hat
Grey hat
Black hat/cracker

Hacker motivations
Hacker Community

Who belongs
The rules of the game (aka Hacker Ethic)