A man named Barnaby Jack found a way to literally make ATM's throw money at you. This technique was later called jackpotting in his honor. This man could've easily turned into a nefarious person who wreaked havoc on many people. However, he decided to use his knowledge to help solve the problem. He said, "Sometimes, you have to demo a threat to spark a solution."
We are often fascinated and terrified of the power hackers now have. They scare us. But the choices they make have dramatic outcomes that influence us all. Sometimes, they make us sick. Sometimes, they help us find the weaknesses in our information immune system.
They definitely have power. However, in the words of Peter Parker's uncle, "with great power comes great responsibility." You'd like to think we'd only use such power for good. But what if you could read your ex's emails? Or add a couple zeros to your bank account? What would you do then?
Some hackers just like to break things. But they have an evolving effect on technology. In the hacker world, it's call full disclosure (breaking a product in order to show its vulnerability). Are these "good" hackers looking for money or identities? Or maybe just your attention?
One man's hero is another man's villain. Well, the rules of the game aren't so clear anymore, but it is time for us to take a good look.
https://www.ted.com/talks/keren_elazari_hackers_the_internet_s_immune_system?referrer=playlist-who_are_the_hackers