In the early days of Computing, a Hack is defined to be a “useful and/or beautiful piece of code.”

• Some students, who worked at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Computing Laboratories, preferred working on code rather than attending courses.
• They feel proud of their Hacks and are addressed as Hackers.
• Over time, Unethical Hackers emerged.
• Ethical Hackers also rose to defend against the Unethical Hackers.
• Most people do no know or care about the difference between Ethical and Unethical Hackers.

• Ethical Hackers try to break the security of computer systems and applications.
• They propose solutions to defend the possible attacks of Unethical Hackers.
• They are known as White Hats.

• Unethical Hackers inflict damage to hardware, software and data systems.
• They may steal and sell sensitive information.
• One study says that it is safer and lucrative to be a Criminal Hacker (also referred to as Cracker) than selling drugs (which can lead to imprisonment and death in some countries).
• The underground business for malware (viruses, Trojan horses, …) is valued at multi-billion dollars.