The Ethics of Hacking

Introduction

Modifying computer hardware and software with an objective other than the original purpose of the creator constitutes computer hacking. In computer networking, hacking also means manipulating network connections.

Most computer hackers are self-taught, but they possess expert-level skills in a number of programming languages. Although a considerable number of hackers are driven by ulterior motives, many use their skills to solve problems. Some corporations hire hackers to join their technical staff. Their job is to find vulnerabilities in the company’s security system for patch-up before hackers with ulterior motives discover the flaws and exploit them (Computer Hacking, n.d.). Hacking skills can, therefore, be employed to prevent computer related crimes such as identity theft.

Although hacking cam be used for good, the term is nowadays associated with malicious attacks on the web and other networks.

Hackers use scripts which are used to manipulate data in a network connection to gain desired information. There are many ready scripts available online that can be used by inexperienced hackers. Experienced hackers can modify the scripts to come up with new methods of attacking network connections.

While hacking can be wrong in many instances, it is still helpful. The big question is whether doing what can be considered wrong by parties such as corporations is still ethical when the very actions help other people, especially the consumers.

History of hacking

Early hackers as we understand them today can be traced to 1960s. They were primarily computer experts only interested in modifying programs to make them work better. In the majority of cases, the modifications developed by them were better than existing systems. UNIX operating system was a hack product by Dennis Ritchie and Keith Thomson (Computer Hacking and Ethics, n.d.).

In 1970, a new type of hacker called “phreakers” emerged who targeted telephone systems exclusively. They...