Exactly what is hacking?

[thecompgame]

So my question is what exactly is hacking and whats the process(how do you do it)...the process in movies you always see some dude typing on a computer and magically just breaks through into say a security camera. I know its probably not even close to what you would do in real life.
Also how do you get started??  I know it takes baby steps but can someone lead me into a direction.
I'v honestly has no luck, some people say start learning C++,C,Visual basics and it will help but exactly how?
Lol one last questions, how old is everyone?

[ande]

Most movies are far from the real deal indeed. Not sure if you are asking how I got started or how I get started hacking when I do, so ill tell you both; Played online text-based games when I was ~13-14, wanted to cheat. Started making bots to do the playing for me 24/7 Then a friend of mine introduced me to Evilzone back in 2006 or 2007 and I fell in love.
Not sure how to answer that other one actually.

Learning programming and or scripting will give you a deeper understanding and control over computers in general. As well as the obvious fact that software is what makes computers insecure(there are other areas as well, but don't mind that right now). So when you know how to make software, you will understand the security related problems that is created. C or C++ is the most(perhaps) common choice, and idd advice one of those as well, but its not an easy task doing it by own initiative. Further more, idd suggest PHP if you were wondering.

I am 19

[Z3R0]

Q. What is hacking?
A. It's hard to describe. It's not just some hobby that we all share because we're good with computers. I like to think about it like Mr. Miagi from the Karate Kid described karate to Daniel. It's like driving on a road, you drive on the left karate-do-no. Drive on the right, karate-do-yes. Drive in the middle, karate-do-so-so....SMACK! With time, you'll figure it out, all of us who have been at it for a couple of years know, we just don't know how to describe it. Next!

Q. How do you get started?
A. READ!!!! Read, read, read some more, and never stop reading. You won't find books in libraries that will walk you step-by-step through how to write a buffer-overflow. Everything you will ever want to know about this lifestyle can be found online. Get to know different devices that can be put on a network, and if one sparks your interest (like a router for example), look up security benefits/faults for it. It's all about what you find curious enough to explore further.

Q. How will programming help me?
A. Imagine you're a lumberjack, and you're out in the woods ready to go, but you don't have an axe. That's like trying to be a hacker without knowing how to program. You can't just wish the tree down, you have to have the necessary knowledge, tools, and skillset to accomplish the task at hand.

Q. How old is everyone?
A. No one knows, but from people's attitudes with wanting to learn you can sometimes make a good guess at how old they are. For example, the people like you who ask genuine questions I usually assume to be of 19-22. There's a different level of maturity between folks like you and folks who ask, "Hey guys, I found this website, how can I hack it?"

Like I said bro, there's more to being a hacker than cracking passwords, and fucking shit up on Fox News. If it interests you that much you'll figure it out someday. All you have to do is read, and ask questions when you don't understand something.

[xzid]

questions like this show up almost daily, anyone up for a single thread? something all of EZ can work on.

not be a tutorial, but a starting point.. with alot of links. approx:

Code: [Select]

<TOC>

---

Intro

<explain what knowledge will be needed, which things should come first, etc>

---

Hacking

Web

SQL injection
<very brief explanation>
http://link/
http://link/
http://link/
http://link/
http://link/

XSS
etc..

---

Programming

etc..etc..

make it sticky, something like: "yo dawgz, how do h4x?". Might be best in HTML.

just a thought. so when a thread pops up like this, its simple: post the link to main thread.

I'd contribute but would not do alone.

[ande]

questions like this show up almost daily, anyone up for a single thread? something all of EZ can work on.

not be a tutorial, but a starting point.. with alot of links. approx:

Code: [Select]

<TOC>

---

Intro

<explain what knowledge will be needed, which things should come first, etc>

---

Hacking

Web

SQL injection
<very brief explanation>
http://link/
http://link/
http://link/
http://link/
http://link/

XSS
etc..

---

Programming

etc..etc..

make it sticky, something like: "yo dawgz, how do h4x?". Might be best in HTML.

just a thought. so when a thread pops up like this, its simple: post the link to main thread.

I'd contribute but would not do alone.

Yes

[xzid]

cool, tommorow could start something in "Projects and Discussion".. see how many people wanna contribute, make a rough draft.

kinda late, had few drinks, watchin LoTR... cannot now, although might be best if you start it ande.

[Tsar]

1. Hacking is simply using something in a way that it was not originally intended for. Today the term is bastardized however and is often used to describe the act of breaking into computer systems.

2. The process is a mixture of both security and computer knowledge. The rest is just using this knowledge to think analytically.

3. Ande summed it up good, but ill recant; it is programming that creates software, it is programming that makes software insecure or secure, by understanding programming, you will understand computer security. It is much like becoming an expert on locks; a locksmith with a strong understanding of how locks work and the different types and systems locks use, is more likely to be able to analyze a lock and open or break into a lock that is insecure than a regular every day person would.

Most movies are far from the real deal indeed.

On a side note: I recently watched "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" and hacking is portrayed pretty well, I didn't see anything that was unrealistic and as someone in computer security I think I picked up on a lot of the stuff they were doing in the film that they didn't explain that others would not have.

[xzid]

pfftt.. hackers was totally accurate, supercomputers are totally made up of LCDs displaying filenames(shells? lolwut?), program code does look like a trip and chix can totally h4x0rz. Zero Cool FTW.

[sp0rk]

Haven't you seen the movie Swordfish man? It's exactly like that.


Yes I agree we should start a dedicated thread.

[Kulverstukas]

A thread like this was already started before where I gave a descriptive piece of my mind. I won't CP what I said - too long. But...

Hacking for me means lots of things - depends on the context and how you will look at it. I can safely say that I am a hacker, because hacking for me is breaking things to make it better, or "hacking up" some stuff together to make one thing for something. So I am more of a hardware h4x0r
(if you think hacking is only for cracking server software, you are very wrong...)
Hacking can also mean chopping wood with an Axe.

[iAmLuFFy]

Hacking can also mean chopping wood with an Axe.

The Word Hack?
Exactly, hacking is a part of our life. we learn something new and if we can do it better then it was or if we can do it as it shouldn't work then its hacking.
In this era its just stick to word computer. But in real you can say that hacking is an ability to change the method of work or to add new technique to make some work done.
And all upon that its not that you open your lunch box and it it. You must have to work and read as much as you can or i say hack it. read more than you can.


How to get started?
There are two main sides in computer i.e hardware and software. now in order to learn proper hacking in computer field you must have knowledge of both the side. In hardware part you will get all the info on communication and in software part you will get all the info on code the software to make communication.


So... learn it.. be it.. all the best.

[theellimist]

On a side note: I recently watched "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" and hacking is portrayed pretty well, I didn't see anything that was unrealistic and as someone in computer security I think I picked up on a lot of the stuff they were doing in the film that they didn't explain that others would not have.

Yeah, I got that same feeling about noticing things that most people didn't get. Also, didn't I see her using Nmap? Also I thought this might be applicable: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwSxNrxmrCw&list=FL6CthwX4A1iNvfrJ5_7i94Q&index=16&feature=plpp_video


Anyway, in regard to the original post, just start reading tons of stuff, surf thru the forums, meet people, ask intelligent questions, and make sure you use Google and Wikipedia constantly. Also, once you think you have some concepts under your belt try going on a site with "challenges", they will usually have a variety of categories to choose from. Hack This Site is one such site that I can think of, another would be Security Override. Also, I think EZ was talking about having challenges on here as well (can someone confirm this?).

[ande]

Yeah, I got that same feeling about noticing things that most people didn't get. Also, didn't I see her using Nmap? Also I thought this might be applicable: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwSxNrxmrCw&list=FL6CthwX4A1iNvfrJ5_7i94Q&index=16&feature=plpp_video


Anyway, in regard to the original post, just start reading tons of stuff, surf thru the forums, meet people, ask intelligent questions, and make sure you use Google and Wikipedia constantly. Also, once you think you have some concepts under your belt try going on a site with "challenges", they will usually have a variety of categories to choose from. Hack This Site is one such site that I can think of, another would be Security Override. Also, I think EZ was talking about having challenges on here as well (can someone confirm this?).

Epic video lol.

[noob]

hacking is shit,there is a one life and its stupid to spend it on this 19 inch lcd figuring out how TCP work till world falling apart around us....
just some thouts after long time out of the box

[Kulverstukas]

Again... you people only think that "hacking" is computer shit only. You are all wrong.
Also that video was fucking epic xDDD