Do you think that a hacker would make a good consultant on computer security?

Question

In my last question, someone brought up the issues of a hacker and I thought this would be an excellent transition. How and why (or why not) would a hacker be a good resource for computer safety?

Answer 1

Actually, a family member WAS a Hacker and is now making major money STOPPING Hackers. His skills were an EGO thing and he wanted to be the best. Now he realizes the potential harm and points out weaknesses in corporate computer systems earning a huge salary.



He once told me he could go into a hospital computer and actually change the patients leg to be amputed from left to right if he were evil enough. He realized then he needed to stop people from doing potentially evil stuff like that. So, Yes, a Hacker has the skills to do the consultant job....if they reform.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Well pal u know today the word HACKER it self means NOT BEING A Cracker now hackers and crackers are diffrent hope u know tht and tht is the same reason tht any GOOD hacker can become a good computer security consultant .... in other words those who make locks for doors also know how to make a key

means hackers can think like crackers and so they can guide how to b safe and what things are neccesary 2 b safer.

Answer 4

I think i know what you mean, and to answer your question "yes" to an extent. He may know how a hacker may attempt to access a file or database but I doubt the hacker is going to be familiar with all the legalities, and protocol that's involved when a hack is detected. A true forensic computer security professional will have knowledge of both.

Answer 5

Maybe a former hacker who has done his time. But yes, a hacker would be an exellent idea!

the FBI actually use ace hackers that they have caught to do various things, such as breaking into a terrorist database, or sending a kill signal for various files over the internet.

Answer 6

Yes,Its like this show on Discovery Ch. called It takes a Thief. Two ex-burglars help people with their home security issuses and show them whats wrong. If a hacker would turn their life around like they did maybe it is safe to ask a hacker to help you with your computer security,since they would be the ones to know how to get around computer security.

Answer 7

Sure they do it all the time. You don't have to be a criminal to be a hacker. Some people train to be a hacker for the sole reason of helping others be more secure.

Answer 8

That is what large security organizations do.

A hacker will know all the loopholes and can help the company in writing a good secure and tight security program.

Answer 9

Actually there is now a hacking school that computer security specialists are starting to go to to become registered "ethical hackers" that way they can spot weaknesses in networks and fix them before the unethical ones do. Fairly expensive for the course but looks pretty fun too...





http://www.wired.com/news/infostructure/0,1377,64008,00.html?tw=wn_tophead_7





wired news did an article on it *(see above)

Answer 10

I would say that an EX hacker would make an excellent choice as long as they had the technical ability to do the consulting job correctly.

Answer 11

Yes, because to be a hacker you have to know more than the average computer user and also more than a programmer.

Answer 12

way i see it, who better to create an anti-hacker program then someone who knows all the tricks to getting through said program?....though some can be untrustworthy, so be careful who you ask for help, maybe a reformed hacker who turned to helping instead of hurting would be a good idea, but remember to check their history by asking other's they have worked with.

Answer 13

Yes, and the other way around... A consultant would be a good hacker...

Same skills requiered different objectives...

Answer 14

While they have plenty of experience, and understanding of computer networks, hackers are criminals.

Companies would not be able to hire this person because of their criminal background. Regardless of whether they have been convicted of a crime.

Answer 15

You probably wouldn't pass a security screening, because the skills that you have would have to come out in an interview. Maybe they would hire you after you got out of jail though.

Answer 16

They look for weaknesses. Finding a weakness is the first step in creating a security method. If you do rely on them, rely on several different ones so one doesn't leave a "hole" for them to use against you later. ;) Good luck and hope I helped!

Answer 17

I think they would make the best consultants on computer security.

Answer 18

uber hackers ARE security consultants on most online companies!!!!

Answer 19

I think so. They have the best experience on common security problems and they know system weaknesses better than anyone else.

Answer 20

Haven't you seen any movies? Or what about the show where the guys used to be burglers and now they are security experts.

Answer 21

not xactly,but it depends.

Some may help out with security settings(Like Ex-Hackers) while some don't

Answer 22

Yes but dont trust him too much

Answer 23

i think they will becuase they are good with comptuers but i would not trust them

Answer 24

it depends on what color hat he wears.

if he is blackhat, then no.

Answer 25

absoultly

Answer 26

yeh they would be

Answer 27

YES I DO!!!!!!!!!

Answer 28

because um maybe its ILLEGAL!?