A01 chaf6542 06 se fm indd

Hacking

‘

Hacking

’ refers to the process of gaining unauthorised access to computer systems, typically 

across a network. Hacking can take different forms. Hacking for monetary gain is usually 

aimed at identity theft where personal details and credit card details are accessed for the 

purpose of fraud. Hacking could also occur with malicious intent. For example, a former 

employee might gain access to a network with a view to deleting files or passing information 

on to a competitor. Notorious hackers who have been prosecuted, but often seem to have 

ultimately gained from their misdemeanours, include:

● 

Robert Morris – The son of the chief scientist at the US National Computer Security Center, 

this graduate student created a destructive Internet worm in 1988 which took advantage 

of a security flaw in the Unix operating system. When unleashed it caused thousands of 

computers to crash. The disruption was partly accidental and he released instructions to 

system administrators on how to resolve the problem. He was sentenced to three years of 

Hacking

The process of gaining 

unauthorised access 

to computer systems, 

typically across a 

network.

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