The meaning of Hacker is one who accesses a computer which is supposably not able to be accessed to non authorised people of the community. Hackers may use any type of system to access this information depending on what they intend on doing in the system.

Methods

     Hackers may use a variety of ways to hack into a system. First if the hacker is experienced and smart the hacker will use telnet to access a shell on another machine so that the risk of getting caught is lower than doing it using their own system. Ways in which the hacker will break into the system are:

1) Guess/cracking passwords. This is where the hacker takes guesses at the password or has a crack program to crack the password protecting the system.

2) Finding back doors is another way in which the hacker may get access to the system. This is where the hacker tries to find flaws in the system they are trying to enter.

3) One other way in which a hacker may try to get into a system is by using a program called a WORM. This program is specially programmed to suit the need of the user. This programme continually tries to connect to a machine at over 100 times a second until eventually the system lets in and the worm executes its program. The program could be anything from getting password files to deleting files depending on what it has been programmed to do.

Protection

     The only way that you or a company can stop a Hacker is by not having your computer connected to the net. This is the only sure fire way in which you can stop a hacker entering your system. This is mainly because hackers use a phone line to access the system. If it is possible for one person to access the system then it is possible for a hacker to gain access to the system. One of the main problems is that major companies need to be networked and accessible over the net so that employees can do overdue work or so that people can look up things on that company. Also major companies network their offices so that they can access data from different positions.
     One way which is used to try to prevent hackers gaining access is a program used by companies called a Firewall. A Firewall is a program which stops other connections from different servers to the firewall server. This is very effective in stopping hackers entering the system. Tho this is not a fool proof way of stopping hackers as it can be broken and hackers can get in. Tho this is a very good way of protecting your system on the InterNet.

Major Hacks Today
     Some of the major hacks that have been committed have been done by young teens aged between 14 and 18. These computer geniuses as they are known have expert knowledge on what they are doing and also know the consequences. Tho the consequences do not really enter there mind when they are doing it.
     On Wednesday, March 5 1997 The home page of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's was recently hacked and the contents changed. The group known as H4G1S. This group of hackers managed to change the contents of the webpage The hacking group changed the webpage and left a little message for all. It said “ Gr33t1ngs fr0m th3 m3mb3rs 0f H4G1S.
     The homepage of the United States Air Force was recently hacked and the contents had been changed. The webpage had been changed completely as the hackers had inserted pornographic pictures saying “this is what we are doing to you” and had under the image “screwing you”. The hackers have changed it and shown their views on the political system.


     In conclusion it can be said that hackers are sophisticated and very talented when it comes to the use of a computer. Hacking is a process of learning not following any manual. Hackers learn as they go and use a method of trial and error. Most people who say they are hackers most of the time are not. Real hackers do not delete or destroy any information on the system they hack. Hackers hack because they love the thrill of getting into a system that is supposably unable to be entered. Overall hackers are smart and cause little damage to the system they enter. So hackers are not really terrorists in a way they help companies find out flaws in their system.