Response #1

Hackers

What is a Hacker? A Hacker in my opinion is someone who breaks into someone else’s computer to get there personal information. The hacker steals the victims’ social security number, their bank information, and their identity. In the Mirriam-Websters dictionary the meaning of the word hacker, is a person who secretly gets access to a computer system in order to get information and cause damage. There are many different types of the word “hacker”. There are hackers for computer security, programmer subculture, and hobbyist. According to an online article “Hacker is a term used by some to mean "a clever programmer" and by others, especially those in popular media, to mean "someone who tries to break into computer systems"(“What Is Hacker?).
While watching the news you hear stories of hackers everyday. One example is a CNN article I recently read about hackers targeting prisons and other real-world targets. In the article it states that hackers are virtual tools to hack into anything that has a computer in it. A computer science professional has shown that they can use computers to open cell doors in prisons. The prisons were hacked in only two hours by someone living in Virginia. One of the reasons why a prison was hacked is because it was linked to the internet; this is something that should have never happened.
Everyone loves their smart phones, but they are easy targets for hackers. Hackers are targeting I phones that run off Google operating system. The hackers can get information from IPhones such as all phone call details and they can even record the calls made from the phone. They have even went as far as to “cause a phone to rack up unwanted service charges, record calls, intercept text messages and even dump emails, photos and other private content directly onto criminals' servers”(Robertson). In an article I read it states that nearly 1 million smart phones have been hacked just in the last six months(Robertson). These numbers are very scary. It has to be controlled and for the most part it is the owner’s responsibility to keep viruses and hackers away.
Identity theft is a real problem in the United States. In CBS news article states, “Almost 10 million Americans were victims of identity theft last year”( Nanji). Once a person’s identity has been stolen it can take years and thousands of dollars to resolve the damage done. John Harrison, a salesman from Connecticut, was one victim of identity theft. The person hacked John Harrison’s identity charged over 265,000 dollars in his name buying many different things from clothes to cars. The man who done these terrible things was sent to prison for three years. This doesn’t make the situation any easier for John. He has spent over 2,000 trying to rebuild his name and is still in debt over 100,000 dollars.
Hacking can be a very dangerous thing for everyone involved. Businesses can be destroyed, names can be ruined, and everyone’s safety can be at risk. To hackers breaking into personal information gives them a feeling of achievement. The don’t think of the consequences, most just do it for the money.



Works cited
"Hacker - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary." Dictionary and Thesaurus - Merriam-Webster Online. Web. 20 Aug. 2011. .

Robertson, Jordan. "LAS VEGAS: Your Smartphone: a New Frontier for Hackers | Business | Kentucky.com." Lexington, KY Local News Provided by the Lexington Herald-Leader Newspaper | Kentucky.com. Web. 20 Aug. 2011. .

Sutter, John D. "Hackers Take Aim at Prison Locks and Other Real-world Targets - CNN.com." CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News. Web. 20 Aug. 2011. .

"What Is Hacker? - Definition from Whatis.com." Information Security Information, News and Tips - SearchSecurity.com. Web. 20 Aug. 2011. .

Nanji, Ayaz. "An Identity Theft Nightmare - CBS News." Breaking News Headlines: Business, Entertainment & World News - CBS News. Web. 20 Aug. 2011. .