It's time to change the definition of hackers

Most dictionaries define 'hackers' with evil connotations. But now it's time to change this.

On the Network Administrator's website, you may catch the word 'hacker' in many articles, but in each story, the word 'hacker' may have a different meaning.

If you ask Google or look up the meaning of the word in dictionaries, you will often get answers that hackers are bad people, use computers in an "improper" way. But Marten Mickos, CEO of HackerOne, a company that pays researchers when they report bugs, doesn't like this.

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Recently, Marten asked Cambridge Dictionary to change the definition of the word, saying that most computer information security experts do not think it means negative.

The advent of hackers is not in the context of information security. In fact, it was born before information security (or network security) was born. According to MIT's New Hacker Dictionary, in the 1960s, hackers were words that were friendly, referring to the first people who were passionate about computers.

It's time to change the definition of hackers Picture 1It's time to change the definition of hackers Picture 1
It's time to think about hackers

Back 50 years ago, despite all efforts to change the general notion, many dictionaries, newspapers and ordinary people thought that hackers were bad guys, those who broke into other people's computers / systems to Data theft or doing something illegal.

This is the hacker definition of the Oxford dictionary.

Computer users to occupy illegal data access.

The Cambridge Dictionary dictionary also offers the same thing.

Skilled people who use computer systems, usually gain access to illegal personal computers.

Although the Dictionary.com page offers a non-negative definition, there are still common negative notions.

People with high skills in computer technology or programming; expert or computer lover.

and

People go through security walls, break into systems, computers, files . often with bad intentions.

These definitions are completely inaccurate. Many experts, scholars, or even newcomers call themselves hackers. They use this word in a neutral sense, like a lover of discovery, not necessarily because of bad intentions.

Cambridge University Press is a dictionary issuer that does not respond to this request. But responding to Micko, Cambridge seems to be considering. It may be late but returning the meaning of the word will encourage many experts / people interested in entering the network security industry.

See more:

  1. 9 misconceptions about security and how to resolve
  2. Do you know who white hat hackers are and how their lives are?

  3. The way Hacker uses to remain anonymous
  4. The story of "double bearer" Sabu: Anonymous traitor, the hero of the FBI
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