
 article();
 // By Code_Dark

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 H A C K E R    F O R    H I R E
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 Well, we're all hackers or programmers, or just basically
techies... that means that as our reputation among friends,
peers, coworkers, etc grows, we will be asked to perform
favors, hack computers, and "t33ch m3 t0 b3 a l337 h4x0r, 
pl34s3! I w4nT t0 h4x0r h0tm41l!".

 This is only what can be expected. Throughout history the
bandits and vigilantes are the ones that everyone wants.
From Ronan Samurai to guns for hire, we are hacks for hire.
Instead of gunslingers or sword artists, we lend our keyboards
and skills to a greater cause. Aside from blowing off the
pathetic losers that want Hotmail hacked, we shut down
spammers, hack Al-Jazerra and do other things for the greater
good. It's not unlike the epic 1950s epic film, Seven Samurai.
Although the samurai were in fact Ronan and murderers
themselves, they still had the honor to defend a poor farming
town from bandits.

 So, is it moral to lend out your gifts to wanting others?
Well, why wouldn't it be? We're not unlike the police of the
internet, we patrol and make sure no one really does any harm.
After all, despite what Al Gore says, hackers really did invent
the internet... so therefore we have the right to patrol it.
But what about for others? What about Kevin Mitnick? He's in
the computer security business now. If that isn't buying a 
hacker, I don't know what is. Network Security is just pro
hacking for a paycheck. So fine, run an antivirus and get paid.
Exposing hackers trying to get into your system, however is
just plain immoral.

 So yes, there was a point to this blabbering: lending your
services is fine, it violates no contract. So is hacking things
for a good cause, or money is fine.. but it's not okay to expose 
fellow hackers, Network Security peoples' former selves, and get 
them in jail. It's wrong. Don't do it. Are you fed up with me going
on and on, jumping from one topic to another? Well, that's fine, 
you should be. However there is a point to this, and that point
is a question to induce thought: If you are a hacker-gone-legit, are
you really still a hacker? Working against your malicious peers,
does that take the hacker blood out of you?

 With that eternal question, I leave you.

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