Computer hacking began as an exploration of newly developed personal computers by young, extremely bright technonerds who intended to discover and exploit the capabilities and emerging possibilities of advancing technologies. Today's hacker is an evolved form of its predecessor--the noble explorer. Modern hackers claim to be noncommunal, devout individuals on a personal mission to right the wrongs of the censoring government establishment. They claim that all information, no matter the source, content, or intended recipient, should be free and readily accessible to those seeking or stumbling upon it. Modern hackers claim to have a right to peruse personal Email, government documents, and even the White House computer system! This is only a sampling of platforms today's hacker expects access to, touting credentials of human beings with the means of procuring access to a personal computer. The term "hacker" has taken on a negative connotation due to a rebellious, demanding, spoiled twenty-something generation with too much recreational time with which to contrive their own ridiculous personal interpretation of the Bill of Rights.

All hacking that involves accessing a system utilizing a password or other intended entry restraint is a crime! Computer crimes a more feared because they are committed remotely (Tenney 133). There may be no face-to-recognition of a mug shot, but there certainly are other human qualities such as contemplation and consideration, criminal signatures that leave an indelible mark of identification. The computers themselves do not perpetuate criminal activity; humans do. What's scary is that these "criminals" are not at an intellectual disadvantage. They are all too often a dangerous combination of high intelligence and street savviness that allows anonymity. Street-smart hackers maintain that information is collected by private institutions that compile enormous databases, which are subsequently sheltered from citizens. Hackers claim that it is their right, indeed everyone's right, to be given free access to their own personal information as well as all data contained within these databases. Hackers ask: How can there be a universal ethic if there is no hacker community? Yet among these hackers is the common thread of practicing invariance--leaving things in undisturbed appearance after perusal (Brand, 129). This artful evasion of hackers demands that the prosecutors be more savvy than the defense, which is not the current state of the cyberlaw enforcement establishment.

"The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act," section 1030, "Fraud and related activity in connection with computers," specifically enumerates the types of criminal offenses possible upon intentionally accessing a computer without authorization or exceeding authorized access. But with the invariance ethic being practiced by seasoned hackers, seemingly only the sloppy hackers are delivered to justice.

"How to Become a Hacker," is a good site to find out how hackers operate.

Slouka, Mark. "The Road to Unreality." CyberReader. 2nd ed. Ed. Victor J. Vitanza. Needham, Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon, 1999. 124-143.

Back to my Homepage
Summary response Argumentative analysis
Research perspective Reader response
My résumé


Site established Fall 2001; Last updated 1 December 2001.
Copyright © 2001-2002 by Susanna DeMuro