Instead of scorning hackers as repugnant techno-vandals, we've treated them as huggable, lovable outlaws. Modern-day Jesse Jameses.
Hackers play to type.
They typically are aloof young outsiders. And they disarm the public by giving cute names to their sinister pranks. None other than the computer security firms that stand to benefit from hyping the threat. How nice it would be if this laissez faire attitude toward hacking were completely justified. What an uncomplicated world it would be if hacking was no more dangerous than the spray painting that street gangs leave behind when they mark urban alleyways.