In the world of computer hacking, there are 2 types of hackers, the White Hats, who hack criminals and terrorist networks, then there are the Black Hats, who are part of something called the AntiSec movement, which favors complete and total transparency of government, and hack government and corporate networks. Personally, while I feel that our government needs to be honest with us about some things, we don’t need to know all their business. I agree that terrorists are bad people, and need to be combated in any way possible, so I guess you might consider me a Grey Hat, if such a thing exists.
No, terrorists are good people and should be left alone!
In other words, where’s the debate?
I thought it was a game summary and that humanafterall had meant to post it in The Game Room.
Ah, I’m already gathering that a vast majority of the world populations doesn’t really take anything relating to hacking seriously.
No, they take it very seriously. Is that what this thread is about?
That’s not exactly the way I’ve heard the two defined.
There are other colors too, kinda gay sex cruising hankies. 
White Hats generally hack to expose security weaknesses (plus it’s fun), but their purpose isn’t to hurt anyone as much as spread awareness.
Black Hats are shits without much of a moral code at all.
Yeah, I happen to follow things like LulzSec, Anonymous, and other hacker groups who are able to bring down government and corporate websites.
Fascinating.
I like cake.
No Hat–sort of like the appearance of the not-a-debate that appears in the OP.
Are you espousing a particular position? If I don’t see something to actually debat, I am probably going to close this thread as it has too little substance to go to IMHO or even MPSIMS.
[ /Moderating ]
Well, I’m trying to find out who is with what, and why. I myself happen to be a bit of White Hat, because I understand what both sides are striving for, and have my own little stance to take. I like government honesty, but that doesn’t mean I need to know everything, and I don’t like terrorists, and think we need to have secure networks and take down theirs.
I mean, does any one besides me know anything about hacking and stuff, or is it a “Who gives a shit? They’re just a bunch of really smart kids.” kind of mentality, or what?
I consider myself quite savvy of the computer underworld and haven’t heard people seriously use the terms white hat/black hat since the 90’s. Did you just read a book or something? Where are you getting this old nomenclature from?
You realized that based on two posts?
Maybe it’s not hacking that we don’t take seriously.
Your opening post shows that you clearly don’t know much about the subject, which might be why most of the responses aren’t what you’re looking for.
You imply that all black hats are in the anti-sec category when anti-sec is actually a subset of people in the black hat category. Black hats are usually just run-of-the-mill criminals trying to make money. Another large subset of black hats are state-sponsored, nationalistic, or otherwise political (“hacktivists”). There is of course overlap between most of the subsets, but nowhere near all black hats are anti-sec.
Your definition of white hats is completely wrong.
Am I a huge dickhole for “hating on” these self-proclaimed White Hats? I dislike the cunts who fuck people’s shit up for minimal gain, but what do I care if some cornholed loser didn’t secure his or her own computer? It seems as though the White Hats see themselves as the self-appointed Knights of the realm – not cool. Go join a cult, if you want to seem important. At least the little rat schemers are honest about their intentions, no?
First of all, the vast majority of hackers don’t “go after” anyone. Hacking needn’t even involve other people or their computers or data at all. Second of all, the vast majority of people who do make a habit of compromising security systems, whatever their motivations, aren’t hackers. Third of all, to the extent that there exist what you’re calling “black hat” hackers, they certainly don’t all have membership in some organization, and are usually motivated purely by profit, or occasionally by the same misanthric sense of humor that leads to any other sort of vandalism, not by any sort of ideological goal.
All right – fair points, Chr. Am I allowed to feel bemused and amused by the motivations of a White Hatter who spends his or her spare time tracking would-be felons a la a Batman or Robin Hood? I admire the results of his or her efforts, but I question the motivation. If results are good, then I benefit as does everyone by regular updates to new deviant-tracking algorithms, but the self-appointed nomenclature of “Good Guys” seems so silly to me.
ETA send money to GNU and other freeware tools to combat cyber-crime – I love these guys, and the ones I’ve met IRL are the genuine article. Smart, dedicated. I was only talking about the cultural blahblah.
Is this a “cracker” vs. “hacker” thing? I think it’s fair to say the battle’s long been lost on that one, so far as ordinary (non-jargon) English goes…
As I understand it, all the white hats hate the black hats, and the black hats hate the white hats. All of your hats hate all of my hats: it’s American as apple pie. But during National Cover-Head week–National Cover-Head Week–new hackers love the poor old weak ones, cuz it’s very chic. It’s fun to compromise the systems you despise. It’s only for a week, so have no fear. Be grateful they don’t hack your ass all year!
I see them both the same. The only real difference is one group breaks into your place and steals stuff, while the other breaks in and lets you know that your house could have used a better lock, but with out taking stuff.
At least the people that steal stuff have a purpose, rather than a bunch of voyeurs who say they dont steal.
Declan