A SOCIOLOGY OF HACKERS

Illicit computer intruders, or hackers, are often thought of as pathol ogical individuals rather than as members of a community. However, hac kers exist within social groups that provide expertise, support, train ing, journals and conferences. This article outlines this community to establish the nature of hacking within 'information societies'. To de lineate a 'sociology of hackers', an introduction is provided to the n ature of computer-mediated communication and the act of computer intru sion, the hack. Following this the hacking community is explored in th ree sections. First, a profile of the number of hackers and hacks is p rovided by exploring available demographics. Second, an outline of its culture is provided through a discussion of six different aspects of the hacking community. The six aspects are technology, secrecy, anonym ity, membership fluidity, male dominance and motivations. Third, an ex ploration of the community's construction of a boundary, albeit fluid, between itself and its other, the computer security industry, is prov ided. This boundary is constructed through metaphors whose central rol e is to establish the ethical nature of hacking. Finally, a conclusion that rejects any pathologisation of hackers is offered.