What do you consider hacking?

[gamehead200]

Hello everyone! What do you consider to be hacking?? Just curious as to what you all think...

[FAT64]

There are legal definitions as laid out in the Computer Misuse Act. B)

[SiMoNsAyS]

i consider it modifying an intelectual property with non-profit purposes.

crack is the same, the difference is the economical/lucrative benefit you obtain with it.

[KernelOverlord]

My two cents worth-

Hacking is the act of circumventing unlawful entry into a system etc, cracking is the means of altering and/or manipulating software code - usually with the intent of bypassing security features.

so are you going to enlighten us??????

[Doggie]

hacking to me is gain access to another computer or computers without the consent or knowledge of the user(s).

[rupert86]

Hacking is the art of gaining admin/root access to a computer system, without the intention of their user/admins/owners etc (whether it may be for constructive/destrucutive purposes, or just for fun, or to boost your ego, or to induce self-confidence, or for programming practicing ).

And some average Joe young thinks that hacking is the name of causing explosions in computer systems like we see in the James Bond movies.

P.S: Has anybody some idea how so high power wiring ends up just behind the touch screen that it can set the whole building to fire?

[MadGutts]

another 2p !

Hacking genrally is to gain access into a system or software through a back or side door.

However...

Malicous hackers are ppl who are destructive and hack to gain Web credit or money.

But I hack... when ppl have lost/forgotton there passwords !!!

[towhom]

It seems this group is of the younger crowd.

A hacker is someone who sits at a computer and learns everything they can about the system. No illegal intent. This is the way most people learn linux.

A Cracker is the person who learns about the system so that they can break into other computers/remove security features/etc...

Somewhere in history, the media used the wrong word for describing a security breach, ie: Kevin Mitnick, Captain Crunch, Steve Wosniak and Jobs (yes, they are crackers, if enough people send an im to me about it, i'll start a "History of the Steve's" thread

Everybody knows, once the media gets a hold of it, it's the "truth"

Now start sending those IM's

[Crispy]

A hacker is someone who sits at a computer and learns everything they can about the system.  No illegal intent.  This is the way most people learn linux.

Hehe, so basicly what you're saying is that all linux users are hackers ... well, I would think thats a bit broad Wikipedia will give you the following definition:

Currently, "hacker" is used in two main ways, one positive and one pejorative. It can be used in the computing community to describe a particularly brilliant programmer or technical expert (for example: "Linus Torvalds, the creator of Linux, is a genius hacker."). This is said by some to be the "correct" usage of the word (see the Jargon File definition below). In popular usage and in the media, however, it generally describes computer intruders or criminals.

So, how you answer the original question really depends on what you put in the word hacking... Asuming you mean the popular version it would, as said before, it would mean a person with knowledge about computer security that uses these skills for evil purposes... If you then take the original meaning of the word it implies the most elite of all users, the ones with the greatest knowledge of all. These people are the reason technology exists, and should in no way be mistaken for people criminals ... Of course, you might argue that "evil hackers" bring about technological breakthroughs indirectly and thats obviously true too ...

[Synapse]

i have to agree with all the hacking comments on here.. its unlawful breaking and entering of another persons computer or system (ftp / web servers) I only "hack" if i have permission to so its not really hacking.. example... lost passwords *thats about the only reason to hack*

cracking however.. i see a diffrent approach... I see Cracking as changing a program to fit your needs.. example.. to remove "nagware" *the loading screens that have like 20 seconds before you can hit continue evaluation* I know most people are going to disagree with my opinion as its stated in most User Agreements "reverse engineering blah blah blah is not permitted blah blah blah" but aren't you doing the same thing with programs like Resource Hacker to remove things you don't use or to change the program to your own needs?

but thats just my 2 cents

[maddawgz]

hack'n crack'n.. dont pass GO go to jail.. tisk tisk!! .. thats what i consider hack'n..

[mark]

From someone who is not in the industry and knows little of the inner workings of computers. From my perspective, hacking started out as something illegal, then cracking came along and now hacking is writing code or manipulating systems in a positive way. Cracking is any of the illegal stuff. Besides, it's easier for people like me to understand. Hacker=someone who makes computers do cool stuff/ as opposed to he works in VB, C++, Fortran or whatever. Cracker=jerk who gets his jollies from messing up someone else's stuff.

[DarkOmini]

hacking is anything you do to p*** me off which already have so if you see a guy that looks like a serial killer with an axe in his hand its me and you know that you've been hacking. only a hacker himself would ask this question because you are planning to hack someone or something with out breaking the rules. so go kill yourself you hacker!

[Synapse]

hacking is anything you do to p*** me off which already have so if you see a guy that looks like a serial killer with an axe in his hand its me and you know that you've been hacking. only a hacker himself would ask this question because you are planning to hack someone or something with out breaking the rules. so go kill yourself you hacker!  

/calm

its gonna be alright.....

[gamehead200]

only a hacker himself would ask this question because you are planning to hack someone or something with out breaking the rules. so go kill yourself you hacker!  

Ummmm... OK... I ask this question all the time... Nothing to be mad about... Just want to know people's opinions on it...