Mar 18 2009
We Need The “Hacking” Culture
From time to time, w can hear web sites being defaced and turned into something else. We also know server scan be brought down by DDoS (distributed denial-of-service attack). Just months ago, a customer’s web site (at that time not hosted by me) was attacked and had been down for a few days, due to sabotage by a disgruntled ex-employee who happened to be a computer expert.
I don’t like hackers’ act of hacking web sites. They are only creating nuisance for people and economic waste for the soceity, yet gaining nothing for themselves. Yes they may feel an empty sense of achievement, but it’s vanity, just like going after the wind. Even if they are paid for the job, deep down in their heart they know they are breaking the law and doing something wrong that they will not like to tell their children.
Anyway, like it or not, hacking is already being used as a tool to advance one’s propaganda, to bring down one’s business rivals, or even enemies in war. I have customers who asked how to hack their competitors, for business or even political purpose.
Perhaps in future wars, where cyberwar is a main feature, hackers will be the ones very instrumental. I’m not justifying for hackers. But my point is that hacking is here to stay.
But in a broader sense, “hacking” also means playing around with technologies, possibly to improve them. There are many scientists and inventors we acclaim who were actually “hackers” (not computer hackers) at their times to “hack around” to see what works better. Without their “hacking” skills, we would not be enjoying the standard of life we have now.
We don’t need the computer hackers. But they are not going away and we have to accept the fact. But we need the “hacking” culture, without which our society will not advance.
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Oh, I got a little surprised by your title till I read your post. Hackers can be useful by testing security etc. Like the case of the University applications that were hacked into and the courses applied for changed. But useful only if the party recogises their weaknesses and make the changes.
REgards