“Hack Me” – OK, so maybe not such a good idea…

Kevin Roose is a technology columnist for The New York Times. His column, “The Shift”, focuses on the intersection of technology, business, and culture. Back in 2016, he went to DefCon, a big computer hacker conference in Las Vegas to see what happens when he challenges some talented people to hack into his accounts. The results astound him.

Fortunately, he was working with “white hat” hackers, which means they’re working ethically, for legal purposes. “Back hat” hackers, on the other hand, are the ones we hear about who have broken into computer system to steal data, break things, or just prove that they can.

Hacking, as a general term, refers to a practice that is neither inherently good or bad. When I used to take apart alarm clocks to see how they worked, that was a “hack.” When people probe, prod, and explore a thing, a program, a service, they’re “hacking” at it or on it. Hacking has gotten a bad reputation because of the people who are trying to break into computer systems to steal data, identities, or access, without the permission of the people who own those systems.

Once of the services Computer Studios offers in security training. We can provide online videos ranging from 3 minutes to an hour to train you and your employees about computer safety, how to recognize malicious emails, and what to do if you fall victim to one of the bad guys.