Hacking isn't illegal!

In the media blather about the Target security breach, we once again see ignorance about the term "hacking." The ignorant media seem to think that what the crackers did to Target is hacking. We know, as technologists, of course, that hacking is developing clever code. I suppose we technologists bear part of the blame as well, given that we have things like the "Certified Ethical Hacker" designation for pentesters.

So it leaves us with a complicated dance. On Wikipedia the disambiguation page found here, itemizes three basic meanings:

1. Hacker (computer security): (this is the so called "black hat", or cracker)
2. Hacker (hobbyist): "who makes innovative customizations or combinations of retail electronic and computer equipment." This is more akin to Edison's "muckers."
3. Hacker (programmer subculture): who combines excellence, playfulness, cleverness and exploration in performed activities.

Naturally, this blog follows the sense #3. When TheHackerCIO hacks, he combines excellence, playfulness, cleverness, exploration, and I might add creativity and innovation to the code he creates.

I Remain, offering new clarity,

TheHackerCIO