Learn How To Hack

Do you need to be a hacker?

By Kris Michaels

What's a hack anyway?

In short: To hack is to seek, gain access to and / or use information in a
special way. To "hack" can mean ...

to use something in a way it was not originally intended to be used in
to find a quick solution to a difficult problem
to gain access to information

Related examples ...

To use the TLD (top level domain) of a domain name as part of the
word(s) built by that domain name, for example something like
"www.inter.net" ("Internet") or "www.freespee.ch" ("free speech"),
is called a "domain hack".
An unconventional email address that uses the commercial at-symbol
("@") as the letter "a" in the construction of an email address title, for
example "j@mes.com" ("James"), can be called an "email hack".
To use the Google search engine for playing certain games, for
example trying to guess search phrases that result in exactly 1 result
(= to guess phrases that can be found only once), can be called a
"Google hack". These are examples for hacks where something is
used in a way it was not originally intended to be used. The term
"Google hack" can be used in the following, different context
examples, too.
In the context of software development a quick solution to a
problem that usually would require significantly more efforts, is
called a "hack". For example one could find a quick (and maybe
dirty) workaround for one aspect of a computer program to
temporarily get improvised functionality, needed to be able to
continue working on other, more urgent aspects of the software.
Special programming skills are often called "hacking", too (even if
they do not lead to quick and dirty solutions). For example expert
programming the Google Web API can be called a "Google hack".
Probably the most common way to use the term "hack" is for
describing the process of gaining access to something, often
information that can not be accessed without using special
knowledge or techniques. Again let's take a look at the term
"Google hack", which can also be used to describe certain query
techniques to find secrets, for example personal, revealing or even
illegal information, for example to obtain passwords.

Can information be illegal?

Ask a hacker and he will probably tell you "No. All information should be
freely available to everybody". That's because freedom of information is one
of the very key principles of hackers. In many countries though access to
certain information is forbidden by laws.

Is hacking illegal?

Sometimes. Hacking isn't necessarily illegal. It depends on what you do exactly.
Especially as the term "hack" can be used for different things. Nobody will be
offended by others seaking information, using expert programming skills for
quick solutions or using something in a new and uncommon way ... as long as
no harm or damage is done to anybody.

Ethics?

You are responsible for how you gain knowledge, and how you use it.
Hackers who use their skills in a responsible way, usually for a good cause,
can be called "white hat hackers". In contrast "black hat hackers" tend to
use illegal methods for personal gain. I don't support any illegal or unethical
activities. My advice: seek knowledge, gain power, use it in a responsible way.
So learn how to hack, stay away from illegal activities, use your skills to gain
additional knowledge, promote good causes. Gain and use the power to do
whatever is good and ethical in your situation.

Why learn how to hack?

For knowledge and power. Maybe for your security, or for the security of a
person you care about or care for. Or maybe just for fun.

How to start?

Hackers usually are a closed circle, but you should try to find a mentor, a trusted
friend, counselor or teacher, a more experienced person willing to guide you.
Even if you find such a person, be aware that you will have to do most of the
things on your own. Hackers usually think that all information should be free, but
they do not think that it's their job to provide information to every person in the
world who is too lazy to spend some time for working on retrieving that
information on his or her own. So if you do not first try to find a solution on your
own, you will very likely receives replies like "RTFM" (read the f***ing manual)
and "Google it!" (search for an answer with Google or a similar search service).

They do not want to be rude, they just don't have the time to take care of every
trivial problem which could be easily resolved without their help, too. If you want
help, it is a good idea to Google it and RTFM first, and then ask any remaining
questions in a friendly way while providing sufficient detail information, including
your results from searching the internet and reading the manual. You will very
likely receive friendly replies and professional assistance solving your problem.

- Kris Michaels

"Learn how to hack - Do you need to be a hacker?"
kindly provided by Kris Michaels. Kris is a computer enthusiast since his
childhood and has more than 20 years of experience in developing and
testing software. He has been an internet security consultant since 1995.
His focus is internet privacy protection.