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Posted: 12/25/2001 12:14:08 AM EDT
Is Your Son a Computer Hacker?
By T Reginald Gibbons
Posted on Sun Dec 2nd, 2001 at 11:00:21 AM PST  

 
As an enlightened, modern parent, I try to be as involved as possible in the lives of my six children. I encourage them to join team sports. I attend their teen parties with them to ensure no drinking or alcohol is on the premises. I keep a fatherly eye on the CDs they listen to and the shows they watch, the company they keep and the books they read. You could say I'm a model parent. My children have never failed to make me proud, and I can say without the slightest embellishment that I have the finest family in the USA.

Two years ago, my wife Carol and I decided that our children's education would not be complete without some grounding in modern computers. To this end, we bought our children a brand new Compaq to learn with. The kids had a lot of fun using the handful of application programs we'd bought, such as Adobe's Photoshop and Microsoft's Word, and my wife and I were pleased that our gift was received so well. Our son Peter was most entranced by the device, and became quite a pro at surfing the net. When Peter began to spend whole days on the machine, I became concerned, but Carol advised me to calm down, and that it was only a passing phase. I was content to bow to her experience as a mother, until our youngest daughter, Cindy, charged into the living room one night to blurt out that "Peter is a computer hacker!"  





As you can imagine, I was amazed. A computer hacker in my own house! I began to monitor my son's habits, to make certain that Cindy wasn't just telling stories, as she is prone to doing at times.

After a few days of investigation, and some research into computer hacking, I confronted Peter with the evidence. I'm afraid to say, this was the only time I have ever been truly disappointed in one of my children. We raised them to be honest and to have integrity, and Peter betrayed the principles we tried to encourage in him, when he refused point blank to admit to his activities. His denials continued for hours, and in the end, I was left with no choice but to ban him from using the computer until he is old enough to be responsible for his actions.

After going through this ordeal with my own family, I was left pondering how I could best help others in similar situations. I'd gained a lot of knowledge over those few days regarding hackers. It's only right that I provide that information to other parents, in the hope that they will be able to tell if their children are being drawn into the world of hacking. Perhaps other parents will be able to steer their sons back onto the straight and narrow before extreme measures need to be employed.

To this end, I have decided to publish the top ten signs that your son is a hacker. I advise any parents to read this list carefully and if their son matches the profile, they should take action. A smart parent will first try to reason with their son, before resorting to groundings, or even spanking. I pride myself that I have never had to spank a child, and I hope this guide will help other parents to put a halt to their son's misbehaviour before a spanking becomes necessary.

(con't)
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 12:14:57 AM EDT
[#1]
Damn that is so old man....

Its some Troll that was trying to be funny...
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 12:15:25 AM EDT
[#2]
1. Has your son asked you to change ISPs?

Most American families use trusted and responsible Internet Service Providers, such as AOL. These providers have a strict "No Hacking" policy, and take careful measures to ensure that your internet experience is enjoyable, educational and above all legal. If your child is becoming a hacker, one of his first steps will be to request a change to a more hacker friendly provider.

I would advise all parents to refuse this request. One of the reasons your son is interested in switching providers is to get away from AOL's child safety filter. This filter is vital to any parent who wants their son to enjoy the internet without the endangering him through exposure to "adult" content. It is best to stick with the protection AOL provides, rather than using a home-based solution. If your son is becoming a hacker, he will be able to circumvent any home-based measures with surprising ease, using information gleaned from various hacker sites.

2. Are you finding programs on your computer that you don't remember installing?

Your son will probably try to install some hacker software. He may attempt to conceal the presence of the software in some way, but you can usually find any new programs by reading through the programs listed under "Install/Remove Programs" in your control panel. Popular hacker software includes "Comet Cursor", "Bonzi Buddy" and "Flash".

The best option is to confront your son with the evidence, and force him to remove the offending programs. He will probably try to install the software again, but you will be able to tell that this is happening, if your machine offers to "download" one of the hacker applications. If this happens, it is time to give your son a stern talking to, and possibly consider punishing him with a grounding.

3. Has your child asked for new hardware?

Computer hackers are often limited by conventional computer hardware. They may request "faster" video cards, and larger hard drives, or even more memory. If your son starts requesting these devices, it is possible that he has a legitimate need. You can best ensure that you are buying legal, trustworthy hardware by only buying replacement parts from your computer's manufacturer.

If your son has requested a new "processor" from a company called "AMD", this is genuine cause for alarm. AMD is a third-world based company who make inferior, "knock-off" copies of American processor chips. They use child labor extensively in their third world sweatshops, and they deliberately disable the security features that American processor makers, such as Intel, use to prevent hacking. AMD chips are never sold in stores, and you will most likely be told that you have to order them from internet sites. Do not buy this chip! This is one request that you must refuse your son, if you are to have any hope of raising him well.


(con't)
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 12:17:05 AM EDT
[#3]
. Does your child read hacking manuals?

If you pay close attention to your son's reading habits, as I do, you will be able to determine a great deal about his opinions and hobbies. Children are at their most impressionable in the teenage years. Any father who has had a seventeen year old daughter attempt to sneak out on a date wearing make up and perfume is well aware of the effect that improper influences can have on inexperienced minds.

There are, unfortunately, many hacking manuals available in bookshops today. A few titles to be on the lookout for are: "Snow Crash" and "Cryptonomicon" by Neal Stephenson; "Neuromancer" by William Gibson; "Programming with Perl" by Timothy O'Reilly; "Geeks" by Jon Katz; "The Hacker Crackdown" by Bruce Sterling; "Microserfs" by Douglas Coupland; "Hackers" by Steven Levy; and "The Cathedral and the Bazaar" by Eric S. Raymond.

If you find any of these hacking manuals in your child's possession, confiscate them immediately. You should also petition local booksellers to remove these titles from their shelves. You may meet with some resistance at first, but even booksellers have to bow to community pressure.

5. How much time does your child spend using the computer each day?

If your son spends more than thirty minutes each day on the computer, he may be using it to DOS other peoples sites. DOSing involves gaining access to the "command prompt" on other people's machines, and using it to tie up vital internet services. This can take up to eight hours. If your son is doing this, he is breaking the law, and you should stop him immediately. The safest policy is to limit your children's access to the computer to a maximum of forty-five minutes each day.

6. Does your son use Quake?

Quake is an online virtual reality used by hackers. It is a popular meeting place and training ground, where they discuss hacking and train in the use of various firearms. Many hackers develop anti-social tendencies due to the use of this virtual world, and it may cause erratic behaviour at home and at school.

If your son is using Quake, you should make hime understand that this is not acceptable to you. You should ensure all the firearms in your house are carefully locked away, and have trigger locks installed. You should also bring your concerns to the attention of his school.

7. Is your son becoming argumentative and surly in his social behaviour?

As a child enters the electronic world of hacking, he may become disaffected with the real world. He may lose the ability to control his actions, or judge the rightness or wrongness of a course of behaviour. This will manifest itself soonest in the way he treats others. Those whom he disagrees with will be met with scorn, bitterness, and even foul language. He may utter threats of violence of a real or electronic nature.

Even when confronted, your son will probably find it difficult to talk about this problem to you. He will probably claim that there is no problem, and that you are imagining things. He may tell you that it is you who has the problem, and you should "back off" and "stop smothering him." Do not allow yourself to be deceived. You are the only chance your son has, even if he doesn't understand the situation he is in. Keep trying to get through to him, no matter how much he retreats into himself.

(con't)
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 12:17:53 AM EDT
[#4]
8. Is your son obsessed with "Lunix"?

BSD, Lunix, Debian and Mandrake are all versions of an illegal hacker operation system, invented by a Soviet computer hacker named Linyos Torovoltos, before the Russians lost the Cold War. It is based on a program called "xenix", which was written by Microsoft for the US government. These programs are used by hackers to break into other people's computer systems to steal credit card numbers. They may also be used to break into people's stereos to steal their music, using the "mp3" program. Torovoltos is a notorious hacker, responsible for writing many hacker programs, such as "telnet", which is used by hackers to connect to machines on the internet without using a telephone.

Your son may try to install "lunix" on your hard drive. If he is careful, you may not notice its presence, however, lunix is a capricious beast, and if handled incorrectly, your son may damage your computer, and even break it completely by deleting Windows, at which point you will have to have your computer repaired by a professional.

If you see the word "LILO" during your windows startup (just after you turn the machine on), your son has installed lunix. In order to get rid of it, you will have to send your computer back to the manufacturer, and have them fit a new hard drive. Lunix is extremely dangerous software, and cannot be removed without destroying part of your hard disk surface.

9. Has your son radically changed his appearance?

If your son has undergone a sudden change in his style of dress, you may have a hacker on your hands. Hackers tend to dress in bright, day-glo colors. They may wear baggy pants, bright colored shirts and spiky hair dyed in bright colors to match their clothes. They may take to carrying "glow-sticks" and some wear pacifiers around their necks. (I have no idea why they do this) There are many such hackers in schools today, and your son may have started to associate with them. If you notice that your son's group of friends includes people dressed like this, it is time to think about a severe curfew, to protect him from dangerous influences.

10. Is your son struggling academically?

If your son is failing courses in school, or performing poorly on sports teams, he may be involved in a hacking group, such as the infamous "Otaku" hacker association. Excessive time spent on the computer, communicating with his fellow hackers may cause temporary damage to the eyes and brain, from the electromagnetic radiation. This will cause his marks to slip dramatically, particularly in difficult subjects such as Math, and Chemistry. In extreme cases, over-exposure to computer radiation can cause schizophrenia, meningitis and other psychological diseases. Also, the reduction in exercise may cause him to lose muscle mass, and even to start gaining weight. For the sake of your child's mental and physical health, you must put a stop to his hacking, and limit his computer time drastically.

I encourage all parents to read through this guide carefully. Your child's future may depend upon it. Hacking is an illegal and dangerous activity, that may land your child in prison, and tear your family apart. It cannot be taken too seriously.

Scary, huh?
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 12:22:31 AM EDT
[#5]
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 12:36:20 AM EDT
[#6]
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 2:12:42 AM EDT
[#7]
Quoted:

If your son has requested a new "processor" from a company called "AMD", this is genuine cause for alarm. AMD is a third-world based company who make inferior, "knock-off" copies of American processor chips. They use child labor extensively in their third world sweatshops, and they deliberately disable the security features that American processor makers, such as Intel, use to prevent hacking. AMD chips are never sold in stores, and you will most likely be told that you have to order them from internet sites. Do not buy this chip! This is one request that you must refuse your son, if you are to have any hope of raising him well.


(con't)
View Quote


I understand what you are trying to do but;
[b]Do not knock AMD[/b] Intel is the chip maker that is making it easer for the fed to track [b]your[/b] actions.

To those of us that use computers and software as a living, there is much that you have just shown us that you don't know about computers.

My sons have their own computers and I do worry. My checks of their computers have been good, so far.

There is software that is like a gun, it depends on who is holding it.

If I could inquire as to what was found on his computer that you found bad?
I would not try to tell you how to tell you how to raise you kids, but I will offer to explain computers and/or software, if you like.

SSD

I'm 40 and my 12 yr old son spent 2 hours playing Quake 3 last night, together.
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 2:36:47 AM EDT
[#8]
"Most American families use trusted and responsible Internet Service Providers, such as AOL."

I stopped reading right there.[whacko]
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 3:28:18 AM EDT
[#9]
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 6:02:35 AM EDT
[#10]
I thought this was a joke! Lunix?
Linyos Torovoltos?

Please dont tell me this was a serious post?
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 6:07:17 AM EDT
[#11]
<>
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 6:09:27 AM EDT
[#12]
It's a joke kids.
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 6:19:22 AM EDT
[#13]
My son is a hacker. Hell, I've been getting free phone service for a couple of years now. I've got bank accounts all over the world that are just full of cash. My bills get paid every month online, but the money to pay them never comes from me. I've got 10,000 different credit card numbers you use on anything I want.

I sure am proud of that boy! He's gonna grow up to really be somebody one day!
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 6:27:13 AM EDT
[#14]
Just dont let him become argumentative and surly
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 6:36:36 AM EDT
[#15]
That's funny....
why did they leave off Burning Chrome?
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 6:45:30 AM EDT
[#16]
Quoted:
Just dont let him become argumentative and surly
View Quote


What kind of a parent do you think I am? Theft and destruction of private property is one thing, but none of my kids are gonna grow up to be rude!
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 6:46:57 AM EDT
[#17]
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 6:47:52 AM EDT
[#18]
If your son is really a hacker,  AOL will not save you.   He has most likely already hacked your password to turn off the parental controls.   Upon doing so will have access to one of the largest porn supply on the net.  I left AOL because of the unnecessarly large amout of smut they sent my inbox.   Have fun and a Merry Christmas!
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 6:53:27 AM EDT
[#19]
This was intended as a joke, right?
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 6:56:00 AM EDT
[#20]
Quoted:
"Most American families use trusted and responsible Internet Service Providers, such as AOL."

I stopped reading right there.[whacko]
View Quote


Here is a smart fellow...[IMG]http://www.freakygamers.com/smilies/s2/contrib/aahmed/biggrin.gif[/IMG]
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 7:12:06 AM EDT
[#21]
As an enlightened, modern parent, T Reginald Gibbons should research his stuff before saying it.

A complete joke of a article.

If he is serious, then he is truely lost and ignorant of the subject.
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 9:37:51 AM EDT
[#22]
According to this, even 1 A/\/\ 3l337 |-|AX0R!!

Funny, Jugghead![:D]
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 10:20:36 AM EDT
[#23]
is there any chance that Intel, AOL, and Microsoft is somehow sponsoring these "top ten signs" lists for parents? You never know what ignorant modern parents are willing to believe.
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 10:22:46 AM EDT
[#24]
just curious, what does 1 A/\/\ 3l337 |-|AX0R mean? All I figured out was the I am part.
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 10:35:53 AM EDT
[#25]
I found this story on adequacy.org, some kind of humor site, at [url]www.adequacy.org/?op=displaystory;sid=2001/12/2/42056/2147[/url]


I don't get it.
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 11:28:11 AM EDT
[#26]
I must be one of those l33t hackas, because I have a serious obssession with hardware, I will not look at a computer unless it has a Unix or Unix like operating system on it.  I love quake and dig Unreal Tournament even more.  I've radically changed my appearance, put on 50 lbs, and I spend all day on the computer, it's my job.


My poor kids....


Oh I just read this part again and my sides are aching from laughing so hard...

"8. Is your son obsessed with "Lunix"?

BSD, Lunix, Debian and Mandrake are all versions of an illegal hacker operation system, invented by a Soviet computer hacker named Linyos Torovoltos, before the Russians lost the Cold War. It is based on a program called "xenix", which was written by Microsoft for the US government. These programs are used by hackers to break into other people's computer systems to steal credit card numbers. They may also be used to break into people's stereos to steal their music, using the "mp3" program. Torovoltos is a notorious hacker, responsible for writing many hacker programs, such as "telnet", which is used by hackers to connect to machines on the internet without using a telephone.

Your son may try to install "lunix" on your hard drive. If he is careful, you may not notice its presence, however, lunix is a capricious beast, and if handled incorrectly, your son may damage your computer, and even break it completely by deleting Windows, at which point you will have to have your computer repaired by a professional.

If you see the word "LILO" during your windows startup (just after you turn the machine on), your son has installed lunix. In order to get rid of it, you will have to send your computer back to the manufacturer, and have them fit a new hard drive. Lunix is extremely dangerous software, and cannot be removed without destroying part of your hard disk surface.

"
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 12:52:38 PM EDT
[#27]
This warning came just in time!  I found out my son must have installed something called a "registry".  I plan to delete it right away.

They forgot to mention one of the biggest signs, though.  

Any time you notice that your son shows signs of being interested in how things work, whether it be your hardware or software, this must be discouraged.

If Microsoft, Compaq, and AOL don't provide it, you probably don't need it.  You don't want your youngster going off the edge of the table they have set for you.

Doing such things as learning how to install extra memory has been the downfall of many young people who never had the chance to reach their prime.  These terribly complicated things have to be left to a trained, authorized, technician.

Putting in an extra hard drive is another thing people under 21 or lacking MCSE credentials should not attempt.  Sheer disaster 95% of the time.

The web habits are another things.  If you find junior at anything but MSNBC or CNN for news (for example, wnd.com is really dangerous), be alarmed.  Dangerous excurions into independent thought are sure to follow.

Link Posted: 12/25/2001 1:19:50 PM EDT
[#28]
Quoted:
According to this, even 1 A/\/\ 3l337 |-|AX0R!!
View Quote


What you say[i]!![/i]
Somebody set us up the bomb!

Quoted:
This warning came just in time! I found out my son must have installed something called a "registry". I plan to delete it right away.
View Quote


Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 1:23:48 PM EDT
[#29]
I especially thought the bit about AMD was funny. By those descriptions, I must be a major hacker. Except the Linux part, I play lots of games and program in VC++, so I kinda have to stick to Windows.
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 1:23:52 PM EDT
[#30]
Juggernaut, are you sure that Gecko45 wasn't in on this?  It smacks of his type of "humor".


Link Posted: 12/25/2001 1:47:40 PM EDT
[#31]
Guys I hate to tell you this, but I have Lunix. Does anyone have a spare hard drive? I cant send it back to the manufacturer to fit it because I AM the manufacturer.
I only hope that during the CD deal or the course of our normal E-mails that the dreaded Lunix didnt transfer itself to the rest of you. I would hate to have to FIT all those new hard drives!
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 2:00:38 PM EDT
[#32]
OK DAMN IT!
THERE IS SOME MUSIC MISSING OUT OF MY STEREO!
WHO OUT THERE HAS A SON?
I WANT EVERYONE OF YOU WITH SONS TO CHECK YOUR COMPUTERS FOR THE "MP3" PROGRAM RIGHT NOW!
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 2:22:33 PM EDT
[#33]
A number of things are wrong with your top 10 list...

AOL is an irritating ISP, and many people do not like it, me among them.  I consider AOL a virus.

AMD makes a fine chip, a lot of CPU for the money.  Many good upgrades use the low cost AMD CPU's.  The guys on TechTV's shows consider the AMD CPUs to be a best buy, and highly recommend them.

Most kids are playing video games on the parents' computers, not doing school project research.  I hope this does not shock you.  These games usually require more video card than your computer now has, especially if it is over a year old.  A request for a better video card is not at all unusual.

Flash Player is required to see a lot of animation on various sites, just as Realplayer is used for video clips.  Nothing unusual about Flash.

Comet Cursor and similar are not hackerware, but SPYware.  They report to someone what YOU look at and where you go.  So do many of the Real products.  This is the curse of freeware.  But I have found spyware in stuff I have paid for.  You can get rid of this by installing and running Adaware from www.lavasoftusa.com .

Large harddrive?  Kids need that for all the entire ALBUMS they download from sites such as the now neutered Napster.  I use an extra 30 gig harddrive for music recording (live recording) and sound and photo processing.  There are legitimate uses for large harddrives.

So, go home and study up on computer and internet common usage, then come back with a new list.

This does not mean your son is not hacking, I just don't think you know enough to figure it out.

I suggest a visit to www.grc.com and www.zonelabs.com for some good reading on hacking, firewalls, etc.

Link Posted: 12/25/2001 3:12:05 PM EDT
[#34]
I'm only gonna comment on one thing in this piece of drivel.

AMD processors (since the Athlon) are clock for clock 20% MORE powerful than Pentium 4s. That is how a T-bird or XP at 1.4Ghz can SMOKE a P4 at 2Ghz. Then you get to price and Ram. P4s use RAMBUS which is ridiculously expensive (though dropping) and the P4s runs in some cases TWICE as much as the comparable AMD processor.

For those in the know, AMD is the only way to go, especially if you OC.

Funny though how any old joke can be completely bought hook, line and sinker by the unsuspecting masses.
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 3:31:45 PM EDT
[#35]
Quoted:

AOL is an irritating ISP, and many people do not like it, me among them.  I consider AOL a virus.

View Quote


Amen to that one - I've been saying that for years!

Incidentally, is it just me or does this thing read sort fo like one of those Violence Policy Center "Studies." After reading any of those, I never automatically assume that something so ridiculous is a parody. There are some truly ignorant people out there that like being that way.


Adam
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 3:45:13 PM EDT
[#36]
Did you know that homes with guns are:
558% more likely to have an accidental shooting?
356% more likely to have a suicide?
418% more likely to have a murder?

Its true! I saw it in a magazine! They cant publish it if its not true!
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 3:50:52 PM EDT
[#37]
Juggernaut is an idiot.
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 4:33:37 PM EDT
[#38]
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 4:35:17 PM EDT
[#39]
Quoted:
Juggernaut is an idiot.
View Quote


And chalk up one more person who apparently felt the burning need to respond to this obviously bogus article...[:D]

Juggernaut
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 5:18:21 PM EDT
[#40]
I read this thing this morning, and you had me for about two paragraphs. Then I too said your an idiot... two more paragraphs... still laughing and starting to see it was supposed to be funny.....


Good thing I don't post before coffee....
Link Posted: 12/25/2001 5:32:01 PM EDT
[#41]
Do yourself a favor and dump AOL. They suck beyond belief, they have a crap interface run by a crap company.

Find a good local ISP or DSL/Broadband cable provider.
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