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There is something interesting happening in the media in relation to hackers and I think that is evident by the fact that this article refers to white hats as "

There is something interesting happening in the media in relation to hackers and I think that is evident by the fact that this article refers to white hats as "anti hackers". To me, that is a deliberate separation that is intended to hide the good that hackers do.

egwor 12y ago
I'd read 'anti-hackers' just like someone who was described as 'anti-war'. On the plus side at least they're starting to understand that not all hackers are bad?
valarauca1 12y ago
Never attribute to malice what can be just as easily attributed to stupidity. Largely outside of the hacker community, the true definition of hacker is lost. If you only look at popular culture there aren't a lot of in-roads to the correct definition of hacking. Therefore how would the average person know?
- websitescenes 12y ago
  Interesting take here: "Never attribute to malice what can be just as easily attributed to stupidity." I think there is much truth to your sentiment. My only qualm would be applying it universally. I am sure there is malice in the world that is masked as stupidity.
  - valarauca1 12y ago
    To apply something universally is idiotic and short sighed at best. No philosophy applies everywhere, and in every case. Only though understanding the events around you can you formulate a correct assessment. This grew out of Enlightenment thinking in the 18th century. And its why our modern courts have such foundation on understanding the circumstances, evidence, etc. Also why we have "degrees" of murder.
    - websitescenes 12y ago
      I agree that acts attributed to malice, often, are merely manifestations of ignorance. The use of "anti hackers" in this article may in fact be one of these manifestations but I am hesitant to say "Never attribute to malice what can be just as easily attributed to stupidity." as you had initially suggested. It's just the word "never" that does not sit well with me. Your most recent comment seems to share this position, so it appears we agree.
      - valarauca1 12y ago
        We do. I was just using a quote to express my opinion on the matter.
jakobegger 12y ago
I actually think the term anti-hacker is great! For years hackers complained about their negative image, and failed to explain the "real" meaning of the word. Now there's a pragmatic solution: just call yourself an anti-hacker! Instant credibility!
- websitescenes 12y ago
  So what about dark skinned Americans calling themselves anti-blacks? Or perhaps feminists calling themselves anti-women? It promotes a point of view that is incorrect. Just because someone uses a lock pick to break into a home does not make all locksmiths criminals. I think using the term "anti hacker" in place of "white hat hacker" is indicative that a "hacker" is bad when in fact the "anti-hacker" is a "hacker".
  - dragonwriter 12y ago
    > So what about dark skinned Americans calling themselves anti-blacks? That would often be true, though not in a way analogous to the topic under discussion. Blacks aren't the only darker-skinned people in America, and Black vs. White isn't the only divide along which racism occurs in America.
  - jakobegger 12y ago
    You are missing my point. The issue is that there are two different meanings of the word hacker. Nobody disputes the meaning of "woman" or "black". To the general public, a hacker is someone who breaks into a computer system with bad intentions. We are offended because the general public doesn't understand that we mean something different with the term "hacker". I'm suggesting to just adopt the meaning of the word that the general public uses, especially when talking to the general public. This way we can avoid misunderstandings. However, it would be even better to just use more specific terms. "Hacker" is such a catch-all term with different meanings for everyone. For example: If someone performs an elaborate practical joke, call them a "prankster" instead of "hacker". When you talk about a lab with a bunch of 3D printers, call it a "makerspace" instead of "hackerspace". And when you quote someone about the latest vulnerabilities in OpenSSL, just call them a "security expert". No one will be offended, everyone will understand what you are trying to say, problem solved. But I understand that many hackers like to call themselves hackers, and they like the secretive-undergroundish tone that comes with it, and they will continue to use it and they'll continue to be offended when mainstream media use the term in a different way.

egwor 12y ago

I'd read 'anti-hackers' just like someone who was described as 'anti-war'. On the plus side at least they're starting to understand that not all hackers are bad?

valarauca1 12y ago

Never attribute to malice what can be just as easily attributed to stupidity. Largely outside of the hacker community, the true definition of hacker is lost. If you only look at popular culture there aren't a lot of in-roads to the correct definition of hacking. Therefore how would the average person know?

websitescenes 12y ago
Interesting take here: "Never attribute to malice what can be just as easily attributed to stupidity." I think there is much truth to your sentiment. My only qualm would be applying it universally. I am sure there is malice in the world that is masked as stupidity.
- valarauca1 12y ago
  To apply something universally is idiotic and short sighed at best. No philosophy applies everywhere, and in every case. Only though understanding the events around you can you formulate a correct assessment. This grew out of Enlightenment thinking in the 18th century. And its why our modern courts have such foundation on understanding the circumstances, evidence, etc. Also why we have "degrees" of murder.
  - websitescenes 12y ago
    I agree that acts attributed to malice, often, are merely manifestations of ignorance. The use of "anti hackers" in this article may in fact be one of these manifestations but I am hesitant to say "Never attribute to malice what can be just as easily attributed to stupidity." as you had initially suggested. It's just the word "never" that does not sit well with me. Your most recent comment seems to share this position, so it appears we agree.
    - valarauca1 12y ago
      We do. I was just using a quote to express my opinion on the matter.

jakobegger 12y ago

I actually think the term anti-hacker is great! For years hackers complained about their negative image, and failed to explain the "real" meaning of the word. Now there's a pragmatic solution: just call yourself an anti-hacker! Instant credibility!

websitescenes 12y ago
So what about dark skinned Americans calling themselves anti-blacks? Or perhaps feminists calling themselves anti-women? It promotes a point of view that is incorrect. Just because someone uses a lock pick to break into a home does not make all locksmiths criminals. I think using the term "anti hacker" in place of "white hat hacker" is indicative that a "hacker" is bad when in fact the "anti-hacker" is a "hacker".
- dragonwriter 12y ago
  > So what about dark skinned Americans calling themselves anti-blacks? That would often be true, though not in a way analogous to the topic under discussion. Blacks aren't the only darker-skinned people in America, and Black vs. White isn't the only divide along which racism occurs in America.
- jakobegger 12y ago
  You are missing my point. The issue is that there are two different meanings of the word hacker. Nobody disputes the meaning of "woman" or "black". To the general public, a hacker is someone who breaks into a computer system with bad intentions. We are offended because the general public doesn't understand that we mean something different with the term "hacker". I'm suggesting to just adopt the meaning of the word that the general public uses, especially when talking to the general public. This way we can avoid misunderstandings. However, it would be even better to just use more specific terms. "Hacker" is such a catch-all term with different meanings for everyone. For example: If someone performs an elaborate practical joke, call them a "prankster" instead of "hacker". When you talk about a lab with a bunch of 3D printers, call it a "makerspace" instead of "hackerspace". And when you quote someone about the latest vulnerabilities in OpenSSL, just call them a "security expert". No one will be offended, everyone will understand what you are trying to say, problem solved. But I understand that many hackers like to call themselves hackers, and they like the secretive-undergroundish tone that comes with it, and they will continue to use it and they'll continue to be offended when mainstream media use the term in a different way.