Underground Stuff

[GMailGuy]

Do you think that underground stuff about computers will let you have a better knowledge about computers and how to defend yourself better?

With underground stuff I'm not just talking about Warez. (I don't want to discuss illegal things here, just if they do help or not)

[Lop]

Other than warez (and hacking) what kind of other kind of underground stuff is there?

[TcM]

Well I think that everything that is illegal has an oppsoite (legal) so knowing the illegal will help you to know the legal part and how to defend yourself.. example If you know how to hack, then there is the oppsite, for example making a more secure firewall.

[Crane]

Are you talking about the Anarchy Magazine type stuff that use to float around? lol, we use to think it was cool to get that. It told you all kind of useless information.

[TkTech]

Lol...run to chapters and grab the latest copy of Hacker Monthy ( real magazine. )

Okai, first issue.

A. Using the word "Hacker" as someone who breaks into systems or damages code is a common error, spurred by the media. The proper word is a "Cracker." A hacker is someone ( any IT specialist ) who examines code and checks security systems.

B. Sure! Sites like wilw0rm are incredibly popular, and new hacks ( and all their sourcode, never an app, ) documentation, refrences, ect... appear everyday! The two original makers now work at a security firm making bank protection software!

[xtraze]

Knowing stuff wont hurt anyone.
I do like to learn all those thing so I can understand if anything started to happen to myself.

To know a Cracker, you must be a Cracker.
(You don't have to crack someone elses stuff to be one, try hacking and cracking temporary dummy items)

[TcM]

Originally Posted by xtraze

Knowing stuff wont hurt anyone.
I do like to learn all those thing so I can understand if anything started to happen to myself.

To know a Cracker, you must be a Cracker.
(You don't have to crack someone elses stuff to be one, try hacking and cracking temporary dummy items)

Yup I agree with you. Knowing such things does help you.

[Lop]

When des a term change though? When you speak to a non technical person about crackers do yu say crackers or hackers? Even though I know the correct term (cracker) I still cal them Hackers around company that have only heard the media. With that said, when has the line been drawn and hacker becomes the proper term?

[John]

Originally Posted by GMailGuy

Do you think that underground stuff about computers will let you have a better knowledge about computers and how to defend yourself better?

With underground stuff I'm not just talking about Warez. (I don't want to discuss illegal things here, just if they do help or not)

Yes I do, thats why we have this forum http://forum.codecall.net/software-security/ to discuss "underground stuff about computers."

And although TkTech is correct about the lexical differences between Hacker and Cracker - when I think of "hacker" I think of someone who, according to his definition, is a "cracker," and when I hear "cracker" I think of a white person...

[Sionofdarkness]

Originally Posted by Lop

When des a term change though? When you speak to a non technical person about crackers do yu say crackers or hackers? Even though I know the correct term (cracker) I still cal them Hackers around company that have only heard the media. With that said, when has the line been drawn and hacker becomes the proper term?

That's true, the correct term for a malicious hacker is cracker but 95% of the population interprets hacker as malicious.