Aspiring Hackers Given False Reality

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the impact of the TV show Mr. Robot on public interest in hacking and the motivations behind individuals wanting to enter the field of hacking. Participants explore the implications of idealized portrayals of hacking and the realities of the skills and effort required to pursue such interests.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that the show Mr. Robot may inspire non-technical individuals to pursue hacking, raising questions about the motivations behind such interests.
  • Others argue that while the show may draw attention to hacking, it does not necessarily lead to increased participation in illegal activities, similar to the effects of other popular media.
  • A participant expresses concern that the show's portrayal of hacking may appeal to viewers who desire power and control, potentially leading them to pursue hacking as a career.
  • There is a discussion about the legality of hacking and the ethical implications of engaging in unauthorized access to computer systems.
  • Some participants suggest that many who are drawn to hacking may not realize the extensive effort and knowledge required, leading to a high dropout rate among aspiring hackers.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of foundational knowledge in programming languages and systems for those interested in hacking.
  • Another participant highlights social engineering as a significant aspect of hacking, suggesting that understanding human behavior can be more effective than technical skills alone.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential for aspiring hackers to become "script kiddies," lacking the necessary skills to progress beyond basic attempts.
  • A humorous analogy is made regarding the disparity between grand intentions and the reality of simple tasks, reflecting on the motivations of those interested in hacking.
  • One participant expresses amusement at the notion of worrying about individuals who engage in deception being deceived themselves, questioning the seriousness of the concern.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the motivations for entering hacking, the impact of media portrayals, and the realities of the field. There is no consensus on whether the interest generated by shows like Mr. Robot is beneficial or detrimental, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of these motivations.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge that the discussion involves assumptions about the motivations of individuals drawn to hacking and the potential disconnect between idealized portrayals and the actual skills required. The conversation reflects a variety of perspectives on the ethical considerations and practical challenges associated with hacking.

NATURE.M
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So basically, I'm sure many of you have watched the new tv show Mr. Robot. I'll be the first to say that the show is incredible and quite possibly one of my favourites ever. And if you haven't watched it you should. But that's besides the point.

It seems the show has inspired many non-tech guys to want to hack. They see the show and want to learn how to hack someones Facebook or other social media outlet, etc. They want to create an algorithm to generate ones password, similar to what is done in the show. There are a few people I know that have asked me what language do I need to learn to hack, etc.

What do you guys think about this ? If someone goes into a field because of an idealized image of hacking, what would you tell them ? I'm not a computer security expert by any stretch, so I'm not to familiar with the plausibility of hacking someones personal info, etc.

BTW I'm currently a computer science student specializing in numerical methods/parallel computing.
 
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When The Sopranos was big there was a lot of renewed interest in the Italian mafia, but I suspect very few people actually became mobsters because of the show.

Similarly I don't think enrollment in physics has increased dramatically in the years since the Big Bang Theory has been on the air.

So even though I haven't seen the show myself, I suspect that if anything, what is *actually* does is just draw more attention to issues the issues involved with hacking. And maybe this is a good thing in that it makes people think twice about what they post online.
 
Right after I saw the first episode I thought the show was incendiary in the sense it would greatly elevate interest in hacking. Elliot has enormous power despite being painfully introverted, even by himself, without the rest of fsociety. I can't help but think that's going to appeal to a lot of viewers and seem attainable.
 
NATURE.M said:
If someone goes into a field because of an idealized image of hacking, what would you tell them ?
Hacking, or otherwise unauthorized entry into a computer system, is illegal. Why would they want to engage in a criminal activity.
 
NATURE.M said:
So basically, I'm sure many of you have watched the new tv show Mr. Robot. I'll be the first to say that the show is incredible and quite possibly one of my favourites ever. And if you haven't watched it you should. But that's besides the point.

It seems the show has inspired many non-tech guys to want to hack. They see the show and want to learn how to hack someones Facebook or other social media outlet, etc. They want to create an algorithm to generate ones password, similar to what is done in the show. There are a few people I know that have asked me what language do I need to learn to hack, etc.

What do you guys think about this ? If someone goes into a field because of an idealized image of hacking, what would you tell them ? I'm not a computer security expert by any stretch, so I'm not to familiar with the plausibility of hacking someones personal info, etc.

BTW I'm currently a computer science student specializing in numerical methods/parallel computing.

But many times that's the motivation to start studying something, an idealization, so I don't see that as something wrong. You can get into hacking without actually stealing anything, just for the fun of it. Knowing how computers and servers work on the most basic level is sometimes what many hackers are looking for, and of course to be able to do some cool stuff. Tell them they NEED to know C and Assembly for application-based hacking (virus, rootkits, cracks, etc...) and for server-based hacking they need both to know C/Assembly and have a solid knowledge of linux shell, mySQL, php, javascript, sockets, encryption methods, etc...
 
Pretty sure once people realize the huge amount of work involved, they will drop out (if they had already started), or give up on trying. Most want the glory, the fun, but very few are willing to do what it takes, to put up the necessary effort.
 
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WWGD said:
Pretty sure once people realize the huge amount of work involved, they will drop out (if they had already started), or give up on trying. Most want the glory, the fun, but very few are willing to do what it takes, to put up the necessary effort.

Yeah I agree. I think this happens to be the case in many disciplines, physics being fairly notorious for this.
 
NATURE.M said:
There are a few people I know that have asked me what language do I need to learn to hack, etc.
The human one. Social engineering is by far the most effective exploit.
 
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They will try to hack but get no further than being "script kiddies" who are out of their element using anything beyond a mouse no less a command line argument.

They will quit...most of them, anyway.
 
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Reminds me of the man who tells his wife the cliche: " I will climb any mountain, cross any river,... , do anything you want me to do, I just want to please you" . The wife then says: could you please get me a glass of water from the kitchen? The man says: Oh, no, I am too tired for that.
 
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  • #11
I just find this whole thread to be rather amusing that someone is actually worried about a bunch of people, whose mission among others is to deceive, cheat, etc., are themselves being deceived. What's next? We should worry about ISIS fighters getting paper cuts? Poor babies!

Zz.
 
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