About Computer Hacking
"Hacking" is a term used to describe the practice of making changes in the software and/or hardware of a computer system to fulfill certain purposes besides the ones that were intended by the creator or owner. People who engage in such activities are known as computer hackers. Many times hackers hack a computer to steal valuable and confidential information. In order to protect a computer system from hacking, various defensive mechanisms have been developed, such as firewalls.
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Features
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Many hackers are technology buffs who enjoy learning about new computer systems and software and consider hacking an art form. Many organizations actually hire hackers to find weak security points in their systems. These hackers help to investigate identity theft and other forms of computer-related crimes. The terms "hack" and "hackers" have taken on a negative connotation in the past few decades, but hackers originally were simply very creative computer programmers who could write special computer code to fix various programming loopholes and problems.
History
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A certain subset of early computer programmers had a knack for identifying ways through which they could make the most out of their computing systems. These programmers came up with shortcuts that helped them modify and improve the functioning of their systems. These shortcuts were known as "hacks." But by the 1980s, the term "hacker" became widely associated in the media with computer crime, and so the term stuck, even though true hackers are not into criminal behavior but are simply computer experts.
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Types
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Computer hacking is classified into various types based on the hackers and their experience and motives. "White hat" hackers have a noble motive: their goal is to help organizations improve their computer systems and networks in terms of security. "Black hat" hackers are considered to be pirates; they break into computer systems and networks and steal valuable information, or just wreak havoc for the fun of it. These are variously known as "script kiddies," "crackers" or "carders." The term "hacktivists"--a combination of "hacker" and "activist"---refers to hackers that have ideological motives for their actions, such as animal cruelty hackers breaking into a cosmetics research lab's computers in order to steal or alter data on animal studies.
Techniques
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Computer hackers use various techniques for hacking into a computer system. The most widely used method is scanning. Hackers create tools which are capable of automatically scanning computer systems for any security loopholes, then use an open window--much like the one you are using to read this article--to enter a computer. These tools come with instructions and are often posted online, and any average computer user can use them for hacking a computer. Hackers also use malware to access systems. These are programs designed for capturing vital information such as like login IDs and passwords from a computer.
Prevention/Solution
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The best protection from "black hat" hackers and the assorted "crackers" out there is to simply turn off your computer when not in use. Everyone from the individual user to a large company should back up all data on a regular basis--once a day is ideal--and should copy all firewall logs, which record anyone trying to access the computer, to a CD or DVD in case an investigation ensues. Since malicious hackers do not rest, neither should you when trying to protect your valuable data. It is highly recommended to update any firewalls and antivirus packages on a regular basis.
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