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Current issue : #7 | Release date : 25/09/1986 | Editor : Taran King
Title : Hacker's Manifesto
Author : The Mentor
==Phrack Inc.==
Volume One, Issue 7, Phile 3 of 10
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The following was written shortly after my arrest...
\/\The Conscience of a Hacker/\/
by
+++The Mentor+++
Written on January 8, 1986
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Another one got caught today, it's all over the papers. "Teenager
Arrested in Computer Crime Scandal", "Hacker Arrested after Bank Tampering"...
Damn kids. They're all alike.
But did you, in your three-piece psychology and 1950's technobrain,
ever take a look behind the eyes of the hacker? Did you ever wonder what
made him tick, what forces shaped him, what may have molded him?
I am a hacker, enter my world...
Mine is a world that begins with school... I'm smarter than most of
the other kids, this crap they teach us bores me...
Damn underachiever. They're all alike.
I'm in junior high or high school. I've listened to teachers explain
for the fifteenth time how to reduce a fraction. I understand it. "No, Ms.
Smith, I didn't show my work. I did it in my head..."
Damn kid. Probably copied it. They're all alike.
I made a discovery today. I found a computer. Wait a second, this is
cool. It does what I want it to. If it makes a mistake, it's because I
screwed it up. Not because it doesn't like me...
Or feels threatened by me...
Or thinks I'm a smart ass...
Or doesn't like teaching and shouldn't be here...
Damn kid. All he does is play games. They're all alike.
And then it happened... a door opened to a world... rushing through
the phone line like heroin through an addict's veins, an electronic pulse is
sent out, a refuge from the day-to-day incompetencies is sought... a board is
found.
"This is it... this is where I belong..."
I know everyone here... even if I've never met them, never talked to
them, may never hear from them again... I know you all...
Damn kid. Tying up the phone line again. They're all alike...
You bet your ass we're all alike... we've been spoon-fed baby food at
school when we hungered for steak... the bits of meat that you did let slip
through were pre-chewed and tasteless. We've been dominated by sadists, or
ignored by the apathetic. The few that had something to teach found us will-
ing pupils, but those few are like drops of water in the desert.
This is our world now... the world of the electron and the switch, the
beauty of the baud. We make use of a service already existing without paying
for what could be dirt-cheap if it wasn't run by profiteering gluttons, and
you call us criminals. We explore... and you call us criminals. We seek
after knowledge... and you call us criminals. We exist without skin color,
without nationality, without religious bias... and you call us criminals.
You build atomic bombs, you wage wars, you murder, cheat, and lie to us
and try to make us believe it's for our own good, yet we're the criminals.
Yes, I am a criminal. My crime is that of curiosity. My crime is
that of judging people by what they say and think, not what they look like.
My crime is that of outsmarting you, something that you will never forgive me
for.
I am a hacker, and this is my manifesto. You may stop this individual,
but you can't stop us all... after all, we're all alike.
+++The Mentor+++
_______________________________________________________________________________
Comments :
anonymous, on October 30th 2009 at 9:58 am :
What is fear but a lack of understanding?
Intelligence is not defined by saying the same thing as everybody else, rather someone who discards conventional wisdom to look at all the possibilities. For there is no right or wrong, there is only public opinion.
I read this for the first time almost 8 years ago. Looking back to this writing today reminds me of the curiosity that has made me to be a hacker. I am 22 years old now and it has been a long time spent learning since then.
Intelligence is not defined by saying the same thing as everybody else, rather someone who discards conventional wisdom to look at all the possibilities. For there is no right or wrong, there is only public opinion.
I read this for the first time almost 8 years ago. Looking back to this writing today reminds me of the curiosity that has made me to be a hacker. I am 22 years old now and it has been a long time spent learning since then.
anderson007, on October 27th 2009 at 1:58 pm :
Intro:
Introduction The purpose of a war game server is to allow you to practice hacker tricks, without actually damaging anyone or breaking the law. With this technique, gaps in security can be discovered and the necessary precautions taken. The war games server is being developed further by us. If anyone would like to offer us some support or give us some ideas, we are to be found under the following mail address: wargames@thewargames.com Please write white papers. White papers are documents, in which all the steps are mentioned, you needed to reach one of the targets.
Rules:
No outgoing activity will be allowed from any box within our war games suite. We do not want anyone launching attacks from our platforms. We are not liable for any activities going on upon the server, as we do not have control over it. With this, we will aid the authorities if anything unlawful does occur.
Do not tamper with log files or the logging features in place. We will not tolerate any form of nukes, floods or DoS Attacks. We do not want to find any unethical or immoral actions being performed upon our servers. The war games are here for you and your peers to have fun, learn and expand your knowledge of "hacking" legally. Please do not turn this into something illegal.
If you do get root PLEASE DO NOT pull an . rm -rf /. or any form of file removal that you have not created. Please remember the servers are here for all of us to learn from.
If a gap in security is found, please do NOT try to remove it: other people also want to try out this security gap. More important: Make a white paper with the information on how to deal with it, and send it to us: wargames@thewargames.com
If root-rights should be reached, please do not make any alterations in the system configuration (bug fixes, etc).
Don't give any hints to other users, how to reach the targets. Everyone should reach them himself! This means: No topics about exploits in the forum!
Targets:
Bruteforce access shh via usernames and place name in level1 file in filesystem
Access file system find encrypted file and un-encrypt, place name inside file
Access ftp via user names and place name in level1 file file system
Access file system file encrypted un-encrypt and place name inside file
Access file system media file, read steganography and add to message
Access send mail and send email to user
Access email and send phishing email to user
Access email and send root kit email to user looking like
Port tunnel through port 80 and gain ssh access through firewall
Access mysql through user names
Access data on tables and place in mysql data file on file system
Change Data in mysql database
System:
Address: srv4.thewargames.com
Operating System: RedHat 4
Applications: Apache, Sendmail and mySQL
KRAK, on October 23th 2009 at 10:31 am :
I read the Hacker's Manifesto for the first time in high school 2 years ago doing a report about the oppression of the technologically literate students in America's schools. Also included in my references were quotes from Slashdot's "Entering the Hellmouth" series shortly after columbine.
Now, looking around, I am starting to wonder if a working hacker group exists where one can meet knowledgeable and experienced hackers and actually learn how to begin learning to hack.
I am currently beginning to study C++ and am looking for any persons who may be able to assist me on the journey to being a hacker.
This document, above any others should be taught in schools. I truly believe that it has the power to motivate students to learn and to reach their potential.
But where do you go from having that desire to learn?
How do I know what information will be helpful and what will not?
I realize the older generations of Hackers had no such resource, but I think that as with open source software, this information can be shared and incorporated into the newer generations of would-be hackers to help them to improve upon the previous generations.
This article was written by The Mentor... where are the mentors now?
Now, looking around, I am starting to wonder if a working hacker group exists where one can meet knowledgeable and experienced hackers and actually learn how to begin learning to hack.
I am currently beginning to study C++ and am looking for any persons who may be able to assist me on the journey to being a hacker.
This document, above any others should be taught in schools. I truly believe that it has the power to motivate students to learn and to reach their potential.
But where do you go from having that desire to learn?
How do I know what information will be helpful and what will not?
I realize the older generations of Hackers had no such resource, but I think that as with open source software, this information can be shared and incorporated into the newer generations of would-be hackers to help them to improve upon the previous generations.
This article was written by The Mentor... where are the mentors now?
hack3r, on October 13th 2009 at 2:56 pm :
The Hacker's Manifesto is the single most classic piece of writing in hacker literature and whether you are a novice or expert hacker you must never forget The Hacker's Manifesto!!
mprcba, on September 10th 2009 at 9:48 pm :
Inpired By Loyd Blankenship
Hacking is a Positive Term. Computer hacking is the practice of modifying computer hardware and software to accomplish a goal outside of the creator
Hacking is a Positive Term. Computer hacking is the practice of modifying computer hardware and software to accomplish a goal outside of the creator
Basic_Script, on August 14th 2009 at 5:48 pm :
I am 36. I began basic programming at the age of 10 on my dual cassette drive commodore adam... Today is the first time I have read the Mentors manifesto and I too have become more aware. I felt the same growing up with the teachers and the subject matter and only found true knowledge and freedom within the 1/0's of my computer. My search for knowledge is never ending as knowledge is truely power. I'm not power hungry in the simplest regard of the corporate flunky, but only within the unlimited offerings my computer provides. Not just hoarding it, but sharing it with those I find of like mind and like spirit. They are the deserving, we the curious are deserving and we will find a way.
Nik Shinkareff, on August 4th 2009 at 12:15 am :
Dat waz cool!
DaeZae, on July 23th 2009 at 12:39 am :
Such a glorious piece of writing, inspired by the life of one who does nothing but explores. Perhaps this "The Conscience of a Hacker" piece has inspired many to look towards the fields of exploration for the sole purpose of knowledge; perhaps it still is in present day 2009. But it is never enough.
Lust is such an unrequited subject, wouldn't you agree? Even in the days that hacking was in any way ethical, there were those very few who crazed for more. Don't deny it; even you, Blankenship, have at one point wished to exploit others for your own gain through illegal means.
Or was that arrest not enough?
You may title yourself "The Mentor", but you are nothing but washed up, old and used. Approximately 44 years after your birth and computing has been revolutionized. Technological advances beyond that of which anyone could have possibly imagined came crashing, and it's time to leech and abuse these new sources like heroin..
I'll make this a promise; Loyd. There's a revolution on the horizon, and you aren't included..Feel free to contact; DaeZaeDOSU@hotmail.com (for, I'd rather not release my private email to the public hacker society).
Tick..tock...
Lust is such an unrequited subject, wouldn't you agree? Even in the days that hacking was in any way ethical, there were those very few who crazed for more. Don't deny it; even you, Blankenship, have at one point wished to exploit others for your own gain through illegal means.
Or was that arrest not enough?
You may title yourself "The Mentor", but you are nothing but washed up, old and used. Approximately 44 years after your birth and computing has been revolutionized. Technological advances beyond that of which anyone could have possibly imagined came crashing, and it's time to leech and abuse these new sources like heroin..
I'll make this a promise; Loyd. There's a revolution on the horizon, and you aren't included..Feel free to contact; DaeZaeDOSU@hotmail.com (for, I'd rather not release my private email to the public hacker society).
Tick..tock...
Sha, on June 28th 2009 at 1:35 pm :
I make sure all the new people read this (InfoSec). It help get there heads around the why (people hack). It use to not be about the $ it was about learning something new that few could understand. Like learning assembly. Now all you need is google and a good search string (can you say JohnnyIhackStuff).
Then came the GUI... DOSShell ! woot!!
Oh and one more thing, I WANT MY TURBO BUTTON BACK!! vrumm vrumm...
Then came the GUI... DOSShell ! woot!!
Oh and one more thing, I WANT MY TURBO BUTTON BACK!! vrumm vrumm...
Red_ninja388, on June 22th 2009 at 4:25 am :
nicely explain!!
Now my eyes are opened to the world in a new light!!!!!!
I know that it is important so best wishes (:
Now my eyes are opened to the world in a new light!!!!!!
I know that it is important so best wishes (:
YoKoo, on June 9th 2009 at 11:45 am :
I just wanted to thank you for that great moment of reflexion that had just came after reading this manifesto. This is echoing in my head for so long... It is an other world, a world that not anybody can understand, a world that not event anybody've heard about, and it makes me feel so much good ! I'm also always seeking for knowledge, and even if I'm not a "hacker", I know how important it is.
Bests regards, YoKoo.
Bests regards, YoKoo.
Phantom_2040, on April 15th 2009 at 11:59 pm :
Still waiting for a new issue of the Phrack Magazine.
DC Wicked, on April 15th 2009 at 8:57 pm :
Finally after reading this, I know why my teacher keeps talking about this.
Mad respect to The Mentor.
As a beginning programmer myself this is something I shall forever be carved in my mind.
Mad respect to The Mentor.
As a beginning programmer myself this is something I shall forever be carved in my mind.
NeoTrinity, on February 7th 2009 at 6:12 pm :
First time I read this manifesto was in 1993. Since, it is on the wall of each apartment where I lived and I live. Since, my curiosity already considered as too large considering my age and disturbing has continued to grow and every day I'm learning and I giving the answers to every " curious" I meet on my way.
Thank you The Mentor, you are for me what Obi-Wan was for Anakin.
NeoTrinity
Thank you The Mentor, you are for me what Obi-Wan was for Anakin.
NeoTrinity
Darknesse13, on February 3th 2009 at 12:35 pm :
Wow truley an inspirational and masterfully written article. Its truer then moon landing. I am utterly astounded and forever your student.
bluhack99, on January 13th 2009 at 5:51 pm :
Wow, incredible! This is truly a great piece of hacker literature! And i especially liked the ending. "You may stop this individual, but you can't stop us all." Heh. Damn straight.
Hell, you're my Mentor! ;)
Hell, you're my Mentor! ;)
lanec42, on December 24th 2008 at 1:03 am :
My family is broken, and my friends are gone. I have done horrible, appalling things, and now I have found a place for myself. I have slowly come to realize my own strength, and I will and can destroy whatever comes between me and my pursuit for knowledge. I will not relent, and I know no mercy. This beautiful, certain, and perfectly indisputable world is where I live, and what I am. Fight with me, fight with us.
Filip, on November 25th 2008 at 12:05 pm :
This is... amazing!
Almost started to cry... Simply a great piece!
Love to you mate!
Almost started to cry... Simply a great piece!
Love to you mate!
Monkeyman8, on November 24th 2008 at 12:38 pm :
Today at my school I printed out a copy of this to get some people to read it, because I think it's an amazing piece of literature as true today as it was the day it was written. So I go and print a copy and go pick it up from the printer and the librarian asks me if it's for a school project or something. I say no and she flips out and starts lecturing me about how printing out two pages is a waste of school resources and that I'm abusing our school system by printing out stuff like this. She goes on to say that I've been warned enough times and if she were to write me up I'd lose computer privileges and shit like that. The warning she is referring to is when at the start of the year I was playing a game and she saw me and said that's not what the computers were for. She said nothing about me not being allowed to use the printers to print out things that interest me intellectually and I swear this would not have happened if the article wasn't titled "The conscience of a hacker". Anyway I thought I'd share that since it fits so nicely with the point of the article. Thank you mentor, for writing something so profound and inspiring.
ciborelank, on September 20th 2008 at 10:20 pm :
testing
CHUCKLZ, on September 17th 2008 at 11:03 am :
Hi, this piece of literature is amazing, the first time I heard/read it is when I was watching the movie "Hackers". Truly amazing though!
-Shadow-, on July 30th 2008 at 7:44 pm :
wooow... u r my mentor!!!
u did to change mi mind!
masteeer!!!!
the mentor for us... young hackers!
-Shadow-
u did to change mi mind!
masteeer!!!!
the mentor for us... young hackers!
-Shadow-
pmodern, on May 25th 2008 at 3:07 pm :
Remember kids: hacking is breaking into networks in any way, shape, or form. Fuck the college kids and their 3000$ Ubuntu-powered laptops.
Owl, on May 21th 2008 at 8:55 pm :
I have been reading articles on phrack for the past half year. I had not gotten to this volume yet, but a friend at school asked me to read it. I go to a college prep school where the kids are supposed to be "smart", but in reality, i am one of the smartest in my grade. The message this gives about the life in school really rings true in me. As i am living through it i understand how hard it is. I also understand the first sight of the computer. A computer, like a pet, will always love you no matter what the circumstances are. It does not think poorly of you because of the way you look or act like other kids. Reading this has shown me that there are actually other people out their like me. And for that I must really thank The Mentor along with all of those who have published on phrack.
MITH, on April 7th 2008 at 10:20 pm :
the first time i read this i almost passed out, sounds just like me(im 15 by the way)
5k1nnY!3m0, on March 2th 2008 at 9:10 pm :
I remember some od the Atari Teenage Riot lyrics along the same lines... back when I was really into it. I read the manifesto some long time ago myself, phunny thing was that I was loaded up on LSD that lonely night, and with Vista adding to the phun, I was just looking for the word hack for some odd reason. And there we went from Mr. Leary to the phrack. I am no hacker yet, just simply phuker now, be its a process of upgrading it. But I'm getting bit of topic here... the track's name is "Delete Yourself!" I think I might even have it on the vynil.
Prom_STar, on March 1th 2008 at 6:38 pm :
I was first exposed to The Mentor's piece from the movie "Hackers", which I've always loved even though I know full well that all the computer-related stuff in the movie is pure bullshit (like all movies, really). I've read this essay over and over again. It reminds me of how I felt when I was an adolescent. The passages about curiosity and intelligence being attacked strike home for me--especially the bit about not showing work in math class.
There was a time when I wanted to be hacker. But I don't think I've got the chops. My talents lie elsewhere. (Guess I'll have to be content to be a civilian.)
This manifesto, however, makes it clear that The Mentor was not just a gifted hacker. He's just as competent as a writer. And that, writing, the craft of words, that I realize is where I fit.
I won't ever be a hacker. But I believe in the words above. I believe in what hackers do. And as a writer, I will carry that belief out into the world. My battle is with words instead of 1's and 0's.
This is the Hacker's Manifesto. But its message speaks beyond just that group. At the very least, it has spoken to me. I suspect it has spoken to quite a few others as well.
There have always been human beings who sought to test the limits in front of them. They are Icarus. They are Ulysses. In the realm of electronic communication and data-exchange, we call those Children of Icarus Hackers. In other fields we call them astronauts and test pilots and entrepreneurs.
And I am forever grateful that they are "all the same."
There was a time when I wanted to be hacker. But I don't think I've got the chops. My talents lie elsewhere. (Guess I'll have to be content to be a civilian.)
This manifesto, however, makes it clear that The Mentor was not just a gifted hacker. He's just as competent as a writer. And that, writing, the craft of words, that I realize is where I fit.
I won't ever be a hacker. But I believe in the words above. I believe in what hackers do. And as a writer, I will carry that belief out into the world. My battle is with words instead of 1's and 0's.
This is the Hacker's Manifesto. But its message speaks beyond just that group. At the very least, it has spoken to me. I suspect it has spoken to quite a few others as well.
There have always been human beings who sought to test the limits in front of them. They are Icarus. They are Ulysses. In the realm of electronic communication and data-exchange, we call those Children of Icarus Hackers. In other fields we call them astronauts and test pilots and entrepreneurs.
And I am forever grateful that they are "all the same."
Drizzt Do'Freed, on January 19th 2008 at 4:29 pm :
Words are the gateway to the soul, and the one's uttered by The Mentor, should nor ever be forgotten in the present nor future.
I am a pupil under the guidance of two hackers and programmers, and throughout my lessons, I have learned the inner psyche of a hacker: Black Hat, Grey Hat and White Hat. I have always had an interest in code writing and programming, but the mere idea of being able to find anything you desire, to show-off or to better the world, has always intrigued me. In truth, I consider myself a White Hat, but, I truly believe the Grey Hats stance, which in my definition it: I will better the world, creating it in my vision, and owe allegiance to no one. And when challenged by those who dare take my title, I shall shatter you, spreading your ashes in the failure of your attempt to outdue me." The Greyhat has an advantage, able to do both good, and evil ,though no one can ever judge what they do as right or wrong, for that is for them to decide.
The Manifesto is one of the great articles, and coming from a person who writes for a profession, I honestly bow my head everytime I read it. My teachers told me after I first read it, a huge grin across my face: "Drizzt, that is why it's THEE Manifesto!" And I will never deny it.
If you desire to go through a journey of the circuit-board and ethernet cables connecting us all, the Mentor's work must be inbedded in everyone's mind, to know your enemy, your your friends, yourself, and the risk.
We are hackers, and we shall die hackers.
Sincerely and Truthfully,
- Drizzt Do'Freed
I am a pupil under the guidance of two hackers and programmers, and throughout my lessons, I have learned the inner psyche of a hacker: Black Hat, Grey Hat and White Hat. I have always had an interest in code writing and programming, but the mere idea of being able to find anything you desire, to show-off or to better the world, has always intrigued me. In truth, I consider myself a White Hat, but, I truly believe the Grey Hats stance, which in my definition it: I will better the world, creating it in my vision, and owe allegiance to no one. And when challenged by those who dare take my title, I shall shatter you, spreading your ashes in the failure of your attempt to outdue me." The Greyhat has an advantage, able to do both good, and evil ,though no one can ever judge what they do as right or wrong, for that is for them to decide.
The Manifesto is one of the great articles, and coming from a person who writes for a profession, I honestly bow my head everytime I read it. My teachers told me after I first read it, a huge grin across my face: "Drizzt, that is why it's THEE Manifesto!" And I will never deny it.
If you desire to go through a journey of the circuit-board and ethernet cables connecting us all, the Mentor's work must be inbedded in everyone's mind, to know your enemy, your your friends, yourself, and the risk.
We are hackers, and we shall die hackers.
Sincerely and Truthfully,
- Drizzt Do'Freed
FantomW34531, on January 6th 2008 at 4:41 am :
This is so true. I believe in every word. Im not a black hat nor a white hat, so hacking manifestos and theories have either pulled me one way or another. But this masterpiece makes me want to go black hat. Good job mentor. I salute you.
snark, on December 31th 2007 at 6:17 pm :
He's right. They're the real criminals.