Hacker facts for kids

A hacker is someone who is really good with information technology, like computers and the internet. They often find clever, unusual ways to solve problems or reach goals.

In movies and news, the word "hacker" often means a security hacker. This is someone who knows about computer weaknesses, called bugs, or special tricks, called exploits. They use this knowledge to get into computer systems or access information they shouldn't be able to see.

But "hacker" can also be a good thing! For example, law enforcement agencies sometimes use hacking skills to gather clues about criminals. They might use tools like a VPN to hide their identity online, pretending to be someone else to catch bad guys.

Originally, a hacker was just someone who loved computers and programming. They were very skilled and enjoyed exploring how computers worked. However, since the 1990s, many people started using "hacker" to mean a computer criminal because of how the media used the word.

What is a Hacker?

A hacker is a person with advanced skills in computers and technology. They are often very curious about how systems work. They enjoy finding new ways to use technology.

Different Kinds of Hackers

The word "hacker" can mean different things. It depends on what they do with their skills.

Security Hackers

Some hackers use their skills to break into computer systems. They might do this to steal information or cause problems. These are the hackers often shown in movies. They look for weaknesses in computer programs or networks.

Ethical Hackers

Not all security hackers are bad. Some are called "ethical hackers" or "white hat hackers." They are hired by companies to find weaknesses in their systems. They help make computers and networks safer. It's like they are playing the role of a bad guy to help the good guys.

Civic Hackers

Civic hackers use their computer and programming skills to help their communities. They create useful tools, often for free, to solve problems in cities or neighborhoods. For example, they might make an app that shows when buses will arrive.

Many cities and even big organizations like NASA encourage civic hacking. They might hold events called hackathons. These events bring people together to create new solutions using technology.

An example is William Entriken in Philadelphia. In 2008, he made a website that showed if local trains were on time. He did this because he was frustrated by how often they were late!

Why Do People Hack?

There are several reasons why people might try to break into computer systems.

Money and Crime

Some hackers want to make money illegally. They might try to steal credit card numbers. They could also try to trick banking systems to get money. This is a serious crime.

Fame and Reputation

Many hackers want to be known in the hacker community. They might leave their online names on websites they change. This shows others that they were involved in a successful hack. It's like leaving a signature.

Spying on Companies

Sometimes, companies hire hackers to spy on their competitors. This is called corporate espionage. They try to steal secret information about new products or plans. This can give them an unfair advantage in business.

Government Attacks

Governments can also use hacking. They might attack other countries' computer systems. This can happen during wartime or to gather secret information. These attacks happen in cyberspace, which is the online world.

Images for kids

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  Group of iOS jailbreakers at DEF CON 2011