Dissecting the “Hacker Manifesto”

doi:10.1108/09685229910265493

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Information Management & Computer Security

ISSN: 0968-5227

Online from: 1993

Subject Area: Information and Knowledge Management

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Dissecting the “Hacker Manifesto”

Document Information:
Title:	Dissecting the “Hacker Manifesto”
Author(s):	S.M. Furnell, (Research Co-ordinator, Network Research Group, School of Electronic, Communication and Electrical Engineering, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK), P.S. Dowland, (Research Student, Network Research Group, School of Electronic, Communication and Electrical Engineering, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK), P.W. Sanders, (Visiting Professor, Network Research Group, School of Electronic, Communication and Electrical Engineering, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK)
Citation:	S.M. Furnell, P.S. Dowland, P.W. Sanders, (1999) "Dissecting the “Hacker Manifesto”", Information Management & Computer Security, Vol. 7 Iss: 2, pp.69 - 75
Keywords:	Computer security, Hacking, Information society
Article type:	Literature review
DOI:	10.1108/09685229910265493 (Permanent URL)
Publisher:	MCB UP Ltd
Abstract:	Twelve years ago, a text was written within the hacking community which is widely referred to as the “Hacker Manifesto”. This text, and the opinions that it offers, have since been widely embraced by the hacker community and the document is referenced from numerous sites on the Internet. This paper sets out to examine the content of the Manifesto and considers the validity of many of the messages that it imparts. The Manifesto is considered to present an undoubtedly pro-hacker message, without acknowledging other perspectives or the wider implications of the activities that it is advocating. The paper explores some of these issues, examining both the consequences of the Manifesto’s dissemination and ways in which security professionals and society at large should respond. It is concluded that whilst the Manifesto obviously cannot bear the sole responsibility for promoting and encouraging hacker activity, it at best sends out an incomplete message that should be balanced with appropriate counter-argument.