304 DEAR HACKER

304 DEAR HACKER

and text files, as well as the majority of actual documented hacker endeavors, all seem to be about infiltrating or abusing a computer network or another electronic system. Phreaking the phone, remotely hacking UNIX systems, and Internet mischief seem to be your specific concerns. Even when programming and other “good” hacker activi- ties are used, they seem to merely facilitate these goals, and are not of any focal interest.

Hacking a system is the equivalent of breaking into someone’s house or (in the case of the phone company) office building. If the govern- ment allows the production of computers, the right to privately operate one without fear of tampering, destruction, or unreliability should come directly after. It only makes sense. By breaking into a system, you are taking up resources and violating privacy. You tiptoe around it—calling this activity “non-destructive hacking.” So you break in, but just hang out and have a look around, as opposed to smashing things? Hacking by its very nature is intrusive and forces the individual computer user to seek the aid of computer-manufacturing corporations for education or tools to counter the attack. It is not a liberation or freedom of information. Hacking as you know it is a repeated victim- ization of the common (uninformed) people. While breaking into a system rarely effects people harmfully, it is the easiest point at which we can deter destruction of or tampering with computer resources remotely. You say people shouldn’t go to jail for guessing passwords— and they shouldn’t. However, it is indicative of a potential crime. No one cares that the drunk driver has had alcohol and is behind the wheel for that reason alone—we arrest him because drunk drivers often kill people. That is why hacking, in basically all forms, is a crime. Because, regardless of what you at 2600 do, your readers and everyone associated do not stop at a sensible point. Hackers spread virii, change passwords, cause confusion and frustration in the lives of many total strangers, tarnishing companies’ and organizations’ reputations, all at their leisure, just for fun.

By distributing your magazine, arguing that hacking isn’t a crimi- nal activity, and making your efforts well known to the rest of the world, you have put hackers everywhere under immense pressure. You have turned a once underground activity into a household word,

OUR BIGGEST FANS

movies! You have taken something underground, and turned it into “underground” pop culture! In doing so, you sell out so completely that the FBI need only subscribe to enter into your world. You say this is a good thing, the “ free flow of information” and all. Well, what are you? The hacker missionaries? The “ free flow of information” won’t

be so cool when the increased hacker populace and computer crime rate demands legislative attention. When the government passes laws and writes network software making hacking almost impossible, you won’t be so glad you taught a generation to hack. They won’t be so glad either.

Eric B. aka Flyable George