Just another challenge

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Sunday , May 11, 2008 at 2129 hrs Hacking, phishing, cyber crimes…they make news time and again. Unauthorised access into websites — corporate or otherwise — is common. With the IT industry broadening its horizon at a furious pace, security systems have also been beefed up to keep up. But there are people out there in the firmament who outsmart those security systems. They crack codes, break into corporate websites and personal e-mail ids, steal information and use your identity. But what is the psychology behind such voyeurism?

How does the mind of a hacker tick?

A US-based ex-hacker, now working in a reputed tech firm says: “It’s like finishing a new game. It gives you a high.” A person configures a website with a so-called world-class security system, and you manage to break into the website and deface it. That’s the challenge.

Another hacker, who is now pursuing a PhD in the US, says: “I’ve always liked solving jigsaw puzzles, and hacking, for me, is a giant puzzle.” But is that all? A cyber security expert and one-time hacker adds: “For bragging rights, what else? It would be no fun if the affected party did not know that their security has been breached.” So the hackers would also leave signs on the sites/accounts to make you aware that your security has been breached.

Rajat Khare, CEO and director, Appin Security Group, cited the example of a Pune-based hacker who broke into the website of a bank and carried on transactions for at least two years. He was caught only after the amount stolen from the bank crossed some millions. Another hacker group comprising IT students claims to have had (for the sake of enjoyment) hacked into the IP server of a leading telecom company which was providing service to a reputed call centre. The group had, supposedly, made numerous international calls and was never caught. The operation stopped only after they had passed out of college.