Hacking, snake oil and the result thereof

Sam Varghese
Thursday, 28 July 2011 12:52

Business IT - Security

COMMENT When people break into computer systems, a great many others in the community are happy. One simple reason: it helps to divert attention from their own problems and deficiencies.

One only has to shout "hacker" and if it is done loudly enough the rest of the world stands up and looks only in that direction.

It works because the level of ignorance around IT systems is so great. The IT industry likes to keep it that way so that they can charge more and more for mysterious problems which apparently no-one but them understands.

Misconceptions exist by the thousands.

First, terminology. Hacking is a good thing. Hackers are people who play around with software, ace coders. They don't break into systems and stomp around with hobnailed boots, leaving traces that enable others to catch them.

I've written about lots of hackers, beginning with Richard Stallman, Linus Torvalds, Marshall McKusick, Theo de Raadt, Ted T'so, Bdale Garbee, Monty Widenius, Anthony Towns, Russell Coker... I could go on and on.

These people have IQs that are in the stratosphere, are oddballs in their own way, but have contributed widely to the good of society by developing software that is used by hundreds of millions. Most of them are little-known, something that does not trouble them greatly. They are engineers and very good ones. Good code is what turns them on.

Cracking is a bad thing. 

Crackers certainly do break into computer systems, with an eye on profit. They don't boast about their achievements, they know it leads to being exposed. They savour their achievements in quiet and share them with very few. They know the danger of digital footprints and leave none. They are quick in and quick out.