My 13 year-old cousin hacked into his school's computer system. He didn't do any major damage, but I want to make sure he knows why what he did was wrong and show him ways in which he can use his talent to make a positive impact on the world. What is the best way to approach him? Are there any good articles / books I can recommend to him?
Ask HN: My 13 year-old cousin hacked into his school's system. What advice would you give?
1–10 of 74 posts
Re: Ask HN: My 13 year-old cousin hacked into his school's system. What advice would you give?
#2I'm guessing "war games" wouldn't help :-)
Re: Ask HN: My 13 year-old cousin hacked into his school's system. What advice would you give?
#3define "hacking", did he do anything complicated, or did he just guess a password?
Re: Ask HN: My 13 year-old cousin hacked into his school's system. What advice would you give?
#4The best reference I can recommend would be Eric Raymond's "How To Become A Hacker" : http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/hacker-howto.html The key point the article points out is that "The basic difference is this: hackers build things, crackers break them." The teenage thrill of breaking into computer systems is certainly exciting but perhaps he will be even more enthusiastic about learning to be curious about how things work under the hood, how to do clever things via programming and how to develop a true hacker mind set. Of course all this without the risk of getting into trouble like breaking into his school's computer system. I am glad to know that he did not choose to do any major damage but nevertheless I hope he grows up to become a fine hacker and understand the true meaning of being one. Good luck and great effort on your behalf to try to advise him in the correct path!
Re: Ask HN: My 13 year-old cousin hacked into his school's system. What advice would you give?
#5Why was it wrong ?
He shouldn't have been able to do it anyway. Compare it to a kid kicking against a fence and finding out that it swings open.
Simply explain that if you have no business in a system that you should not try to gain access, that should be plenty.
Re: Ask HN: My 13 year-old cousin hacked into his school's system. What advice would you give?
#6Show him this:
Re: Ask HN: My 13 year-old cousin hacked into his school's system. What advice would you give?
#7he didn't do anything wrong. congratulate him, and offer him links to some things you think he may enjoy to learn more.
if you fear he will make mistakes, the best way to combat that is with knowledge, not by taking the school's side against him and calling his great success immoral.
Re: Ask HN: My 13 year-old cousin hacked into his school's system. What advice would you give?
#8Show him this: http://www.paulgraham.com/hs.html
I think that piece makes some assumptions about the attention span of 13 year olds that are not present in the samples available to me :)
Re: Ask HN: My 13 year-old cousin hacked into his school's system. What advice would you give?
#9Why was it wrong ? He shouldn't have been able to do it anyway. Compare it to a kid kicking against a fence and finding out that it swings open. Simply explain that if you have no business in a system that you should not try to gain access, that should be plenty.
Up/down up/down, if you disagree say so.
Do you take offense at my suggestion this kid did nothing wrong ? Why is that ? Enlighten me, for all I have read above the sysadmin is the person in the wrong, if a 13 year old can walk all over your system you ought to be looking for a job (and one that does not include system administration).
Re: Ask HN: My 13 year-old cousin hacked into his school's system. What advice would you give?
#10Show him this: http://www.paulgraham.com/hs.html
I think that piece makes some assumptions about the attention span of 13 year olds that are not present in the samples available to me :)
I knew a 13 year old, diagnosed with ADHD for not sitting quietly in class, who could concentrate on a chess game for 4+ hours straight. And then play another one after a short break.
I could do the same. I also read SICP when I was 13.