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5 must-see documentaries about hacking and hackers

Piracy is one of those topics that everyone knows about, yet few people really understand. Is hacking inherently malicious? Is there a difference between a hacker and a cracker? What about white hat versus black hat versus hackers? What is the difference between a good hacker and a bad hacker? [Opinion] What is the difference between a good hacker and a bad hacker? [Opinion] From time to time, we hear stories in the news about how hackers destroy sites, exploit a multitude of programs, or threaten to make their way into high-security areas where they shouldn't belong. But if… read more? And where do terms like “life hacking” come from? 15 Awesome Life Hacks You Can Find On Instagram 15 Awesome Life Hacks You Can Find On Instagram Who doesn't love a shortcut? Life hacks are clever hacks that can make your life easier, whether it's as simple as putting two bowls in a microwave or making a DIY stand for your...?

First, let's cut out the colloquialisms. Hacking your life has nothing to do with real hacking. Tampering with devices, such as webcam attacks Hack Attack:How to Keep Your Webcam Secure Online Peeping Toms Hack Attack:How to Keep Your Computer Webcam Secure Peeping Toms What would you do if someone had control of your webcam without your knowledge ? Fortunately, there are ways to stay clean in front of these Toms. Read more and RFID hacks RFID can be hacked:how and what you can do to stay safe RFID can be hacked:how and what you can do to stay safe How much do you know about RFID chips? Do you know how many you carry at any given time? Do you know what information is stored in them? Do you know how close a hacker is? ... Read More:It's closer to the real deal. But most of the time, hacking refers to bypassing network security. How to test home network security with free hacking tools. You can make your setup more robust. Use these free tools to identify "weak spots" in your home network. Read More

What is hacking? Why is it a topic that is both glamorous and nebulous? How much of the hacker community do we really understand? Do hackers deserve the reputation they have? These documentaries will answer all your questions and more.

The Secret History of Piracy (2001)

For as long as information technology has existed, certain people have tried to abuse it 10 of the world's most famous hackers (and what happened to them) 10 of the world's most famous hackers (and what happened to them) hackers of white hat against black -What hackers. Here are the most famous hackers in history and what they are doing today. Read more . That's how we get stories from people like Albert Gonzalez and Kevin Mitnick. Others are less nefarious, as we see in the Steve Wozniak example.

The secret history of piracy It is a documentary published by the Discovery Channel. It delves into the lives of some of the most famous (or infamous) hackers to ever cross the public eye. Why is hacking culture so resilient? Where did piracy start and how did we get to where we are today?

It's informative without being too dry, and there's enough intrigue in the installment to make the 50-minute runtime seem shorter than it is. If you want to learn about the real history behind modern day piracy, this is where you should start.

Hackers Wanted (2009)

“Most hackers are benign. They are just curious.” It's an odd statement to make when considering how loaded the term “hacker” is in our day and age. Hackers are evil and sinister , aren't they? How could they be benign? Isn't everyone trying to steal credit card numbers and digitally break into banks? Not exactly.

Fascinatingly narrated by Kevin Spacey, this documentary actually failed to get a mainstream release due to dissent within the production team over the final quality. A version of the movie finally hit the public BitTorrent network BitTorrent &Magnets:How do they work? [Technology Explained] BitTorrent and Magnets:How Do They Work? [Technology Explained] As we recently reported, The Pirate Bay has switched from using .torrent file downloads to magnet links without an exclusion policy. The tracker has offered magnetic shocks for quite some time now, but this is... Read More

Hackers Wanted Follow Adrian Lamo, a former hacker turned security analyst who became a fugitive from the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) overnight. What happened over the next few days was recorded and made into this documentary, which serves as a representation of the hacker community at large.

How Hackers Changed the World (2013)

Perhaps the best-known name associated with hacking is Anonymous, a sociopolitical group that has no centralized structure, hierarchy, or mission. Anyone, or any particular group, can be Anonymous. These groups operate independently to accomplish a variety of different goals.

The sinew that holds Anonymous together is the use of technology to effect social change, also known as hacktivism. Most Are Well Intentioned 5 Of The World's Most Famous And Influential White Hat Hackers 5 Of The World's Most Famous And Influential White Hat Hackers In this article, I'm going to jump back to the original definition and explore the world of "good hackers,” otherwise known as “white hat hackers.” Let's take a look at five of the most influential computer... Read More

How hackers changed the world is a BBC documentary that looks at Anonymous and explores how they came to be, what motivates them and where they might go in the years to come.

The Hacker Wars (2015)

The hacker wars is another Anonymous documentary, although this one is more up-to-date and a bit more exciting. The last few years have seen a growing battle over Internet privacy, security, and freedom for users around the world. What role does Anonymous play in all of this?

More specifically, The hacker wars Follow three different people who are related to the world of hacking:Andrew Aurenheimer, Jeremy Hammond and Barrett Brown. It's the story of how hacktivists move to make change and what happens when they clash with the FBI.

DEFCON:The Documentary (2013)

DEFCON is possibly the largest hacker conference in the world. It's where hackers go online and hang out, whether said hacker is a beginner trying to learn the ways of hacking or a veteran who is there to spread knowledge and awareness about the topic.

Seriously, it's a huge event. People from all walks of life - security professionals, lawyers, journalists, researchers, lobbyists, and more - gather here to discuss the latest in computer security, information privacy, and more. They even host contests that allow attendees to practice their skills and gain recognition.

DEFCON:The Documentary It is an inside look at one of these conferences. Portray these people for who they really are. They are not superheroes, they are not super villains and they are not super geniuses. They're just people.

More hacker documentaries!

We all have preconceived notions of what it means to be a hacker, most likely influenced by Hollywood Hollywood Hacks:Best and Worst Movie Hacking Hollywood Hacks:Best and Worst Movie Hacking Hollywood and hacking don't mix right. While real-life piracy is tough, movie piracy often involves just tapping on the keyboard like your fingers are getting old. Read more and the media. But when we peel back the layers of hyperbole and misrepresentation, what do we do? Really get?

These documentaries help paint a more accurate picture of the realm of piracy. So you really should check them out when you get a chance. The world could get some clarity on this issue, and these documentaries are a good first step towards that goal.

What is your concept of a hacker? How do you feel about the culture of hacking? Is it black and white or a more complex gray? Do you know of any other hacker documentaries we missed? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments below!