HACKERS: HEROES OF THE COMPUTER REVOLUTION 25 TH ANNIVERSARY By: Brett Delaney Living in a Networked World: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly CS 408 Section 2

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Steven Levy Born 1951 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Born 1951 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania American Journalist American Journalist Written several books on technology, computers, the Internet & privacy Written several books on technology, computers, the Internet & privacy Published articles in Time Magazine, New York Times, & Rolling Stone Published articles in Time Magazine, New York Times, & Rolling Stone Currently lives in New York City Currently lives in New York City

ABOUT THE BOOK 25 th Anniversary Edition 25 th Anniversary Edition Originally published in 1984, revised and republished 2010 Originally published in 1984, revised and republished 2010 Publisher: O’Reilly Media Publisher: O’Reilly Media Descriptive and uses tacky vocabulary Descriptive and uses tacky vocabulary Wasn’t always a fun read but was full of technological information Wasn’t always a fun read but was full of technological information

WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT Talks about the digital revolution from the early 1950’s to the 1980’s Talks about the digital revolution from the early 1950’s to the 1980’s Focuses on specific computer systems and rise of the use of computers by people outside of the big businesses and governments Focuses on specific computer systems and rise of the use of computers by people outside of the big businesses and governments Contains information about big name computer enthusiasts like Contains information about big name computer enthusiasts like Richard Stallman Bill Gates Steve Jobs Larry Ellison

WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT PT.2 Goes into great depth about the “Hacker Ethic” Goes into great depth about the “Hacker Ethic” -“the belief that information-sharing is a powerful positive good, and that it is an ethical duty of hackers to share their expertise by writing open- source code and facilitating access to information and to computing resources wherever possible” -Levy discusses and views hacking from a beneficial viewpoint, as if it points out a hole in security for the company, especially if no monetary gain or theft is involved in the hack.

THE BENEFITS OF HACKERS & WHAT THEY DO Levy views hacking as a positive contribution to our society because he believes hacking can help show breaches in security for corporations or even normal citizens. Levy views hacking as a positive contribution to our society because he believes hacking can help show breaches in security for corporations or even normal citizens. Levy also says that hacking can help do great things for technology and the Internet as long as the hackers are not fixated on breaking into your computer and stealing your data. Levy also says that hacking can help do great things for technology and the Internet as long as the hackers are not fixated on breaking into your computer and stealing your data. Levy goes into depth in the book explaining it might be worth remembering that the word hacker doesn’t mean criminal – at least not all the time. Levy goes into depth in the book explaining it might be worth remembering that the word hacker doesn’t mean criminal – at least not all the time.

THE NEGATIVES OF HACKING Levy doesn’t really focus on the negative side of hacking but critics would argue hacking contributes to Levy doesn’t really focus on the negative side of hacking but critics would argue hacking contributes to - Financial Losses -Loss of Information -Exposure of Privacy -Damage Reputation for major corporations In the early years of technology, people never thought second about hacking, but becoming vulnerable of an attack has increased drastically, especially with all these new inventions and gadgets. In the early years of technology, people never thought second about hacking, but becoming vulnerable of an attack has increased drastically, especially with all these new inventions and gadgets.

HOW DOES THIS BOOK RELATE TO THE COURSE Hacking plays an important role in the networked world and was a topic the classed discussed not to long ago. Hacking plays an important role in the networked world and was a topic the classed discussed not to long ago. In class we discussed three phases of hacking In class we discussed three phases of hacking 1.The joy of programming- Early 60’s-70’s, hackers first introduced ’s to mid 1990’s- Viewed as negative, started to look deeper and analyze hackers for security purposes 3.The Growth of Web and Mobile Devices- Includes the problems we face today, spread of viruses and “hacktivism”.

WHY I CHOSE THIS BOOK Hacking has always been an interest of mine and I never really knew how it all began Hacking has always been an interest of mine and I never really knew how it all began I never really knew what effects or contributions it could do for society I never really knew what effects or contributions it could do for society I always thought the term “hacker” or “hacking” was automatically negative I always thought the term “hacker” or “hacking” was automatically negative Never realized it had been an issue since the late 50’s and early 60’s. Never realized it had been an issue since the late 50’s and early 60’s. With new inventions and gadgets coming out, hacking needs to be analyzed and be taken seriously. With new inventions and gadgets coming out, hacking needs to be analyzed and be taken seriously.

FOR ENJOYMENT OR INFORMATION Typically I wouldn’t read a non-fiction book that contains a lot of factual information, but the book is enjoyable if you are interested in learning the history of hacking Typically I wouldn’t read a non-fiction book that contains a lot of factual information, but the book is enjoyable if you are interested in learning the history of hacking Isn’t always entertaining to read but doesn’t jump around or throw you off topic Isn’t always entertaining to read but doesn’t jump around or throw you off topic I would recommend to a reader who is interested in computer science and learning about the ethical approach of hacking. I would recommend to a reader who is interested in computer science and learning about the ethical approach of hacking.