Hacker

From TinWiki.org

Self-taught chip designer Jeri Ellsworth

A hacker is someone who explores the possibilities of electronic technology. Originally, the term simply meant a person with curiosity and talent for understanding and creating electronic technology and computers, but has later become understood to mean a person who malevolently gains access to, and control over, computer systems illegally (also called a cracker or black hat hacker).

1 Phreaking
2 Notable people
3 In popular culture
4 References
5 External links
6 Relevant discussion threads

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Phreaking

"Phone phreaking", unauthorized access to, and use of, the phone lines, is said to be the beginning of hacking. The phreakers would learn how the phone technology worked, and was then able to place calls for free by manipulating the technology. Among the most famous phreakers is "Captain Crunch". At first the phreakers would use a simple whistle (found in Captain Crunch cereal boxes) to create tones that let them control the phone connection. Later, electronic technology was invented that let them control the phones in a more advanced way.

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Notable people

Among the earliest hackers is Steve Wozniak, a member of the Homebrew Computer Club, who invented one of the earliest, true personal computers in his garage, the Apple computer. He later created a company with his high school buddy Steve Jobs, Apple Computer, which is one of the most successful computer manufacturers today, with famous products like the Mac computer, the iPod mp3 player, and the iPhone.

Another well known computer hacker is Kevin Mitnick, who got significant media attention for being on the run from the FBI. He served a relatively long prison sentence, and was also initially kept in solitary confinement because the judge allegedly believed Mitnick was able to start a world war by simply accessing a pay phone.

More recently, Gary McKinnon has gotten in very serious problems after illegally gaining access to NASA computers through the Internet.

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