How many of you know how to hack? I think that all web hosting company owners and all system administraters should learn how to hack. My logic behind this maddness statement is that if you learn how to hack and you hack YOUR OWN system then you know where the security flaws are and can fix them. This would be a great idea and I think this would increase internet security somewhat. So for those of you that know how, where did you learn? Are there books and/or place on the internet where you can learn?

Rew i5 4 l337 H4X0r
This idea isn't original, its been around for a while. Norton hires virus makers to track down and detect viruses. The government hires hackers for the same reason.
I learned over a long period of time, err for the internet that is, 3 years? Mainly go into IRC and just listen. There are also many sites that offer hacking tutorials. I'm not going to broadcast them here, because they may be used for the wrong purposes and the mods might throw a fit :) . I imagine there are books on it, not sure where. There are books on how to kill yourself, they don't offer them in libraries cause they won't be returned :(.

BTW, don't contact me about hacking, i won't do it for you, or show you ;)

Two things I can tell you

Hacking Linux Exposed is a good book for tightening security and learning what to look for.

My techs and I have read it, and knowledge is important.

As with rewdog, I agree look around.

2 things you may look into to

Hackerslab.org - a legal play ground for hackers to practice and play. Its set up like a game and is interesting

2600 Magazine which all my techs and I get quarterly.

In regards to hacking in general, it is good to be educated on many fronts, and personally I know alot less then most of my techs, but am learning as well. I think learning how to be a better system admin is cool, but the information you will learn may tempt you to play where you shouldnt.

My major in school is MIS, and specializing in Encryption and Algorthims. That alone are very dangerous topics to learn if misused, but learning to protect and prevent are alot different then harming, just keep that in mind

Joe

Originally posted by netsolutions
How many of you know how to hack? I think that all web hosting company owners and all system administraters should learn how to hack. My logic behind this maddness statement is that if you learn how to hack and you hack YOUR OWN system then you know where the security flaws are and can fix them. This would be a great idea and I think this would increase internet security somewhat. So for those of you that know how, where did you learn? Are there books and/or place on the internet where you can learn?

i hate saying "hack" becuase so many people misuse / misunderstand it

but in your view, i guess i can say i know how to "hack"

study / learn *nix as if it was the bible

let *nix be your religion
and you too, will learn how to "hack"

ALL system administrators should know how to hack, and tighten up security holes.

There are a lot of tutorials out there, and books, and magazines. I also like the 2600 magazine, explains a lot of stuff. They had a great article on the Passport system (remember the huge security hole that was found?)