HACKERS

A Hacker, in Computer parlance, refers to a Person who gains unauthorized access to Systems by either taking advantage of the carelessness or ignorance on the part of System operators or by using Tools to break Passwords and gaining access.

Though, the term ‘Hacker’ of late has assumed a derogatory connotation, the word also has a positive aspect. Sometimes the word Hacker is also used to refer to a person who is quite knowledgeable about Program interfaces which enables him to Program rapidly and expertly.

Hacker with reference to networks refers to a person who is a specialist in access control mechanisms for Networked Systems. A Hacker is also defined as someone who modifies Electronics, for example, Ham Radio Transceivers, Printers or even Home Sprinkler Systems to get extra functionality or performance.

Why do they do what they do ?

The reasons differ from simple to complex. A person may Hack a System for the sense of acheivement one gets or for the satisfaction of ego.

The motivations may be as mundane as annoying or irritating the target, or as sinister as wanting to deliberately and crimminally cause harrasment and injury to the opponent. The Hacker could be looking for Passwords, Bank Account numbers or Financial details of the user.

Generally, Hackers seem to driven by the belief that it is a challenge to Hack a system and gain access. Some are believed to do it ‘just for the heck of it’.

How do they do what they do ?

Hackers have a system of working based on pure logic and Human psychology. Put youself in the shoes of the Hacker and you will know what we are trying to say.

However, for those who do not want to wrack their brains, here are an example of the steps the Hacker adopts, and we shall in the process learn the lessons to avoid our Systems being Hijacked by the Hacker:

1. Hackers first try to check if you have any Password at all, in the first place. Therefore if you have no Password, the job of the Hacker becomes easy. The first lesson we got to learn – Have a Password.
2. Hackers first try to check if the default Password ( which comes with the System) is being used. If the default Password is not changed, then access to the system will be child’s play. The next lesson - Change the default Password immediately on acquiring a new System.
3. If the above two Strategies do not work then the Hacker tries to guess the Password. Therefore this lesson is: Have a Password that is the most difficult to guess.
4. Finally the Hacker tries to guess the Password using either the ‘Dictionary’ method (trying all the words in the Dictionary one by one in the hope that one could be the Password), or the ‘Brute Force’ method (keeps on trying till the Password is broken).