Introduction
Hacking is generally considered a prohibited activity. If asked what the common examples of a hacking activity are, one would most likely enumerate a lot of things—from bypassing network security features down to simple hacking activities like creating a virus and infecting a computer with a pre-created virus that would allow the hacker to monitor the activities done in that computer. There are a lot of hacking organizations—a group of hackers that are usually bonded with a common set of goals and interests that obviously has something to do with hacking. Some hacking activities are considered illegal and could actually result into imprisonment and other legal penalties. Examples of such are robbing of one’s bank information and stealing money from one’s personal bank account through hacking. Now, the media, according to Buzzle (2012) has been a big influential entity for hackers and their hacking activities. Different evidences were gathered as to why a lot of people also think that the Media is one of the key factors that have influenced the hackers and their activities.
Personal Thoughts and Reasons
There are a lot of views about hacking. Some people think that being adept in this kind of activity could actually be a plus factor or a great confidence-booster while some people think the other way. But one thing is for sure, even though hacking in general is not bad, it could be considered as a threat to cyber security. Hacking enables other technology users to breach security measures that were placed to protect other people from different types of exploitation; and the media is one of the contributing factors. First of all, through the advent of the internet, hackers from around the world have been enabled to communicate with each other. Hackers, especially those who hack for a living, could easily use the mass media tools to coordinate with other hackers better than ever and commit cyber-crimes more effectively. Suppose that people do not have access to the internet or any mass media tool. That would really cripple the hackers because hacking an entire system secured with the latest encryption technology alone and without coordination with other hackers could be suicidal and could lead a hacker/s straight to jail (Shelley, 2011). Secondly, it seems that mass media has been helping want-to-be hackers to learn the art of hacking. Just by viewing video tutorials and other learning materials from mass media websites, anyone could learn how to bypass security systems and eventually do more advanced hacking strategies.
Proofs and Evidences
It was stated in an article published by Steven (2001) about hacking that mass media enables the hackers to work harder. In fact, mass media enables hackers along with their hacking activities to exist. Based on that statement, one could argue that the internet, along with other media tools could not be isolated from hackers. It is as if hacking will always be a part of technology and according to Steven (2001), people cannot blame the earliest discoverers of mass media about it. Yes, mass media had been influencing, and at some point, encouraging people to engage in hacking activities.
There is this web-based forum called “Black hat Forum” that serves as a gathering place for master hackers and those who are currently beginning to learn how to hack. This is probably the best example that could best describe how influential mass media has been for hackers and the field of hacking. Just by sitting in front of the computer, a normal person could learn how to hack. This poses a serious threat to cyber security because any people now, with the help and influence of mass media, could be turned into a hacker. At some point, by using media tools, hackers could even start a cyber-terrorism act or what others call cyber war (Policy Exchange, 2006). According to the said source, using mass media tools as a component of hacking attacks is very feasible and is actually more practical alternative for hackers. Hacking using mass media tools is a low-cost and more effective way to spread malicious software programs over the internet. One most commonly used example is when a person downloads a supposedly uninfected file from the internet but in reality, the file that he downloaded was infected. Over the course of minutes, hundreds or even thousands of mass media users could get infected. Mass media creates a thick fog of war for hackers who want to engage in cyber terrorism. It enables them to threat almost any type of government organization and threaten almost any entity in the World Wide Web.
Conclusion
Mass media’s influence on hackers and their hacking activities has dramatically increased since the internet’s use was popularized and became common practice. Mass media lets hackers plant their seeds of fertility by encouraging ordinary people to engage in hacking activities through forum websites such as the one enumerated above. Ordinary internet users could readily turn themselves into hackers just by browsing the web pages of this alleged hacking tutorial websites. These are so far, the best evidence that one could use to prove that mass media indeed has serious implications in the worldwide hacking community.
Works Cited
Buzzle. (2012). The Effects of Computer Hacking. Intelligent Life on the Web. Accessed April 2012. Available at http://www.buzzle.com/articles/what-are-the-effects-of-computer-hacking.html.
Shelley, D. A Who’s Who of Hackers. Reporter. Fortune Magazine. Accessed April 2012.
Steven, L. (2001). Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution. Penguin Books.
Policy Exchange (2006). Confessions of a Hawkish Hack: The Media and the War on Terror. Digital Government.
