Hacking in simple terms means illegal intrusion into a computer system without the permission of the computer owner/user.
Purposes of hacking
- Greed
- Power
- Publicity
- Revenge
- Adventure
- Desire to access forbidden information
- Destructive mindset
Every act committed towards breaking into a computer and/or network is hacking.
Hackers write or use ready-made computer programs to attack the target computer. They possess the desire to destruct and they get the kick out of such destruction. Some hackers hack for personal monetary gains, such as to stealing the credit card information, transferring money from various bank accounts to their own account followed by withdrawal of money. They extort money from some corporate giant threatening him to publish the stolen information, which is critical in nature. Government websites are the hot targets of the hackers due to the press coverage they receive.
About Hackers, Crackers and Phreaks
The original meaning of the word "hack" was born at MIT, and originally meant an elegant, witty or inspired way of doing almost anything. Now the meaning has changed to become something associated with the breaking into or harming of any kind of computer or telecommunications system. Purists claim that those who break into computer systems should be properly called "crackers" and those targeting phones should be known as "phreaks".
Prominent websites hacked
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| Pentagon, USA |
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| Department of Justice |
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| Air Force, USA Website - Defaced |
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| CIA (Central Intelligence Agency), USA Website Defaced |
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| US Department of Commerce Website hacked |
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| Mumbai Police Website hacked |
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