What do you think of when you think of a hacker? Maybe its an evil person sitting in a room that has a genius plan to take over the world? Do you sit up at night and worry about how to keep hackers out of your system? First off lets define a hacker. Here is one definition from wikipedia.com Hacker n. [originally, someone who makes furniture with an axe] A person who enjoys exploring the details of programmable systems and how to stretch their capabilities, as opposed to most users, who prefer to learn only the minimum necessary.

By definition this doesn’t seem so bad does it? So what about all these pop-ups I keep getting? What about identity theft? What about Virus’s and Spyware? I know what to call people that write these things. Criminals not hackers! “Hacker” is simply a term the media has used to describe these shady individuals because they didn’t understand the technology or what hackers really stand for. I challenge you to pick up a copy of “2600” magazine at your local book store. In this leading hacker magazine you will find people that are very intelligent and upset at the system, but they are equally upset at virus writers. They also are looking at ways to stop those “Criminals” that are writing spyware and virus.

Hackers also get very frustrated at how they are portrayed in the media. It really is an unfair image. Any real hacker I have ever met is more than willing to help the new computer users. They are usually very good at security issues. I hate to say it but they are usually good people, and not the kind of person you stay awake at night thinking about.

I would challenge you to not buy in to what the mass media says about “hackers”. I would also be leery of any company that uses the hacker term as a sales tool. We have seen the security suites that claim to keep hackers out. Usually these security suites are not worth the box they are packaged in.

The best way to protect your system from spy ware, virus’s and identity theft is to keep everything up to date. Then just use common sense. Be very skeptical of any email you get. Don’t download random programs from unknown sources. That’s how you can keep the “criminals” away. That’s who you need to worry about.

Not hackers.

Have a wonderful Christmas season. And as always send me feedback at scheidies@gmail.com