Just a curiosity that aroused in my mind VIA facebook. We've all seen it I'm sure ... Someone's status will be something along the lines of 'I like vegetables in naughty places ... HAAAAAAACCCCCKKKKEEEEDD'

As far as I am concerned (and what I think most others feel) the definition of hack is to alter software or hardware through means of exploits,scripting,source editing, or other means of programming ... To do something other then the orginal intended purpose.

So the question is posed: Is logging onto your friends facebook due to a weak password or them simply leaving it open really hacking? and is it unreasonable for me to get so pissed at these people for mis-use of a word?

I am by no means a 'hacker' ... I know pretty much diddly-squat about altering anything by any means ... White-out is as far as my hacking skills go ... But I think people could at least use a word right damn it.

As correct as it might have been, reading an old definition of a word doesn't make you correct. The wider world has taken the word to mean what zealots would still call a cracker, but that's the way language works.

as far as facebook goes, if there is no barrier at all to present access, then I don't think anyone would consider that hacking after a few seconds thought, but if there is a password that's guessed, then yes I suppose that is.

As I said, That is what I consider the word to mean. But I see where you are coming from, with the 'that's the way language works'. Words posses the power to evolve and within this evolution the definition can radically change.


Right without means of prevention, You haven't really accomplished anything ... which raises my point again, The word is being thrown about in a place where it doesn't really fit. But as far as the guessing goes, I suppose that's just good ol' 'brute force'. (not in the 000, 001, 002 way ... But guessing till something works, Same concept)

You say that, but then:

That (i.e. "[throwing 'hacked'] about in a place where it doesn't really fit") is precisely the evolution you mentioned earlier.

As you've already stated, 'hacking' does not mean (to the general public) what you think it should mean. I might even go so far as to say that your idea of what the public thinks the word means is too restrictive. My impression is that the word carries no implication toward difficulty at all. Rather, I think the public uses the word to mean "an unauthorized use of another's account." Whether that other person's account is password-protected or not is irrelevant--just as a person is guilty of stealing a car even if the owner leaves the car unlocked and the keys in the ignition.

So, if you disagree with how people are using the word, explain to them why you think it and try to change their mind. You'll either make your case and persuade them to change their usage (and they may try to convince others) or you'll get a reputation as "that guy" trying to "teach" everyone how to speak.

Don't get me wrong, words have meaning. To communicate effectively, everyone must agree on what those meanings are. At the same time, you must realize what terminological battles you can win and which are lost causes. I think, to win this one, you've come to the war room about 20-30 years too late

It depends on the context. To me a hacker is someone that gets their hands dirty as opposed to someone that will not venture off of the Academic Rails of Thinking. The medias usage of Hacker is someone that is not bound to the hierarchy that benefits the person or entity above it.

In case you have not noticed, the level of language use in the environment you mentioned averages somewhere a bit below that of a playground of grade 4 elementary school students. Perhaps expecting proper use of any part of language, or even meaningful expression translatable into proper English, is unrealistic.

Well I guess by that definition it is all perfect and well ... Especially considering the car analogy

Even I (from what has been expressed here) am tossing it out there.

Not trying to be 'that guy' ... Just want to see how other people feel about this ... and it's been fun.

Though now that I give a bit of thought to it ... It's going to constantly be in that 'state of evolution'. As technology advances so will the methods by which hacking will be done, The people who will be doing it, and the meaning that those people put on it ... So I guess there can't really be an ironclad definition, it needs a little wiggle room to work.

Well, to be clear, I wasn't accusing you of being "that guy"--just trying to be a little humorous with the possible outcomes. I've been on both sides: being told I'm using a word incorrectly and telling someone else they're using a word incorrectly. Everybody has, and I'm certain everyone has used the same rationale depending on which side: "you knew what I meant" and "you're causing confusion by not saying what you mean."

And the definition I used is my pure, undiluted speculation. I certainly have no way to know what the "general public" means when they use a form of "hacking."

I do agree that every word's use will evolve, that evolution necessarily requires an "incorrect" usage of a word or phrase, and the "general public" will accept only those "incorrect" meanings which persist in common use.

I know for a fact that the word hack in computer lingo is meant for coding and tweaking computer code. While others see it as the opposite.

Yeesss, the word hack/hacker has been misuse for many years by the less tech savvy including Hollywood. And frankly my dear, I don't give a damn...

Just accept it as is. The misuse of hacked is already engrained in their minds

Well It's not incorrect anymore. Decimate DOES mean to destroy now, rather than reduce by 10%, literally does literally mean "exagerated" now...

Misuse of the term hack and hacker is a pet hate of mine. I'm quite happy to pull people up on it and enlighten them with the purer definition. If that gets me a reputation, frankly I don't give a damn. ;->

I think some of you have misunderstood my first post.

What I was trying to say in my first post is educating people on the right term of hack is a waste of time because the word hack to them is meant cracking. While we know hack is meant to code or tweak.

The frankly my dear, I don't give a damn... remark is my why of saying it doesn't bother me that much how people use the word hack these days.

I was a teacher (Secondary field Science and Mathematics) for ten years. There is, in my experience, only one ignorance that cannot be cured by experimentation, study, and a little hard work: that one is willful ignorance.

It is easier to teach rocks to sing. They don't argue.

Trying to teach proper language to those who reject proper usage and meaning is pointless. Try once: the ones who WANT to know will remember, the ones who would rather remain ignorant will soon forget your words.

Moved: This thread is more suitable in General and has been moved accordingly to help your thread/question get the exposure it deserves.

I'm fairly sure we had a very similar thread a few years ago and a few years before that. I doubt that the correct usage of hack/crack will occur in the media and mainstream in my lifetime.

To me "hacker" means someone who hacks around with systems learning how to use them as efficiently or as easily as possible.
Frankly, though, I think real hackers ought to worry more that they will be labelled "terrorists" than "hackers".
Oddly, if you tell people "in the bar" that you're a geek and want to be a hacker they sometimes think that is cool.