Hacking : Defintion

You may think "whats special in this post". Yes, there is nothing special in this post. Actually, this post covers only the definition of hacking. Nothing else. But just the definition is not so simple. Try asking a common man, "what is hacking?". He may say that "breaking into systems","stealing information" or any such thing in one sentence. But, if you ask a hacker, what is hacking, he will surely get confused what to tell. Because, when you tell "hacking", they remember all types of attacks, processes, tricks, ways and intentions of doing it. It becomes difficult to relate those things and tell those things in order.
Two days before, I also passed from the same situation. Someone asked me, "Basically, what is hacking?". Too many points gushed in my mind but I was not able to cover all of them. This simple question may arise doubt if you are really a hacker or not. So, after that, I sat and taking into consideration all the types, ways etc. I managed to make a definition of hacking. It is not a simple sentence. It is divided into 5 sections. So, without waiting so much for that, here we go with definition.
(note: This may feel a little bit lawyer-like language, but I have no other alternative.)


Hacking is defined as
1. breaking into or gaining access to computers, networks, systems or accounts,
2. or/and rendering their services/processes down
3. with one of the various methods of interaction and attack
4. after which one can (not always) view,change,destroy,modify,damage,copy sensitive or insensitive data/information
5. with or without any intention of it.


So, this was primary definition of "hacking" according to me. But still there are other 5 points in the definition. You may consider them as "secondary points". Well, they are not this much necessary for the definition. But they are essential as a complete definition. Here we go with the other 5 points.



6. It may involve gaining the information about the target before hacking.
7. It may also involve successful or unsuccessful attempts to keep their access to compromised systems.
8. It may also involve successful or unsuccessful attempts to clear their tracks or evidences from the compromised systems.
9. It is considered as ethical if you are doing it with permission from the target in order to test (and improve) digital security of the same and are not going to fiddle with sensitive information/data after compromise.
10.It may also involve help from insider or outsider humans or systems (with or without their intention) which contributes to successful hacking attempt.

Please note that everyone may have different definitions of hacking. This one is good according to me. I have not copied this from any other source. This is made by my own.

© Vipul Chaskar, 2009.