Hacking v2.0

The concept of hackers and hacking has been around for much of the time the Internet has, and much like the Internet itself these terms have evolved over time. Originally hacking referred to gaining unauthorized access to computers and systems, which is a definition that's still relevant today. The drive and spirit behind hacking has broadened the definition as new technologies have emerged and evolved, expanding it to encapsulate the driving force rather than the act itself.

Hacking, especially in its early days, was motivated by one simple driving force: curiosity. The original hackers weren't out to cause trouble or make a profit, but rather to explore systems fully and push the limits of computing itself. Hacking into computer systems was about exploring them and the techniques that provided unauthorized access to them. It is this motivation that is behind the broader definition of hacking today and its widespread usage outside of what was traditionally considered “hacking.”

The expansion of the term has led to not only more widespread usage, but new trends and terminology as well. Long programming competitions—usually 24 or more hours—are gaining popularity and referred to as “hackathons.” These aptly named competitions embody the spirit of exploration and problem solving by encouraging contestants to modify, or “hack,” existing APIs and frameworks to create new products and/or solve challenges. Likewise, modifying hardware to expand or modify the capabilities is also called hacking. You can even “hack” how you live with sites like Lifehacker and Hack-a-Day that encourage innovative solutions to everyday problems both in and out of the technology realm.

The newer usages and terms surrounding hacking are not all that has become widespread, however. The more traditional concept of hacking has also risen in popularity. As any student of strategy can tell you, the best way to combat an enemy is to learn to think like them to adapt to their attacks. It is in this that the traditional sense of hacking has taken off. The security world has become a huge industry that not only employs but also trains hackers to explore and find solutions to the multitude of threats that exist.

Computer and network security experts known as “white hats” learn the very hacking skills they must defend against in a controlled and legal manner via test systems and ultimately by being contracted for penetration testing (the authorized hacking of a system or systems). There is a multitude of courses, certifications, and even competitions that help security professionals learn and hone their skills.

The other side has likewise become a widespread and lucrative business, however. Hackers referred to as “black hats” illegally attack systems—often the very ones that the white hats are trying to defend. Credit card and banking information as well as scams are common revenue streams for black hats, and are lucrative ones at that. One such group was able to make over a billion dollars from selling stolen credit card numbers. As the battle rages on one thing is certain—hacking in every sense of the term is here to stay and will only become more prevalent as more and more of our lives moves to the digital realm.