In common usage, hacker is generic term for a computer criminal, often with a specific specialty in computer intrusion.^[1] While other definitions peculiar to the computer enthusiast community exist, they are rarely used in mainstream context. Computer hacking subculture is often referred to as the network hacker subculture or simply the computer underground.^{[citation needed]} According to its adherents, cultural values center around the idea of creative and extraordinary computer usage.^{[citation needed]} Proponents claim to be motivated by artistic and political ends, but are often unconcerned about the use of criminal means to achieve them.^[2]

Paul A Taylor defines a hack as being simple but impressive; involving sophisticated technical knowledge; and having the illicitness of being against the rules.^[3]

Contents 1 History 2 Artifacts and customs 2.1 Hacker groups 3 Hacking and the media 3.1 Hacker magazines 3.2 Hackers in fiction 3.3 Non-fiction books 4 Hacker attitudes 4.1 White hat 4.2 Grey hat 4.3 Black Hat 4.4 Script kiddie 4.5 Hacktivist 5 Common methods 5.1 Security exploit 5.2 Vulnerability scanner 5.3 Packet Sniffer 5.4 Spoofing attack 5.5 Rootkit 5.6 Social engineering 5.7 Trojan horse 5.8 Virus 5.9 Worm 5.10 Key loggers 6 Notable intruders and criminal hackers 7 Notable Security Hackers 7.1 Eric Corley 7.2 Fyodor 7.3 Johan Helsingius 7.4 Tsutomu Shimomura 7.5 Solar Designer 7.6 Michał Zalewski 8 References 9 Related literature 10 See also 11 External links

History

Hacking developed alongside Phone Phreaking^{[citation needed]}, a term referred to exploration of the phone network without authorization, and there has often been overlap between both technology and participants.

More legitimate forms of hacking are derived from early computer users in academic institutions, especially the MIT hacks.

Bruce Sterling traces the roots of the hacker underground to the Yippies, an 1960s counterculture movement which published the Technological Assistance Program newsletter.

Artifacts and customs

Main article: Hacker culture

Hacker subculture^[1] is heavily dependent on technology. It has produced its own slang and various forms of unusual alphabet use, for example l33tspeak. Such things are usually seen as an especially silly aspect by the academic hacker subculture.^{[citation needed]} In part due to this, the slangs of the two subcultures differ substantially.^{[citation needed]} Political attitude usually includes views for freedom of information, freedom of speech, a right for anonymity and most have a strong opposition against copyright.^{[citation needed]} Writing programs and performing other activities to support these views is referred to as hacktivism by the subculture. Some go as far as seeing illegal cracking ethically justified for this goal; the most common form is website defacement.^{[citation needed]}

Hacker culture is frequently compared to the Wild West: a male-dominated Frontier to conquer.^[4]

Hacker groups

Main articles: hacker conference and hacker group

The network hacking subculture is supported by regular real-world gatherings called hacker conventions or "hacker cons". These have drawn more people every year including SummerCon (Summer), DEF CON, HoHoCon (Christmas), and H.O.P.E..^{[citation needed]} They have helped expand the definition and solidify the importance of the network hacker subculture.