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In ancient days, (the 1980s), computers were known to a very small and select group of virtual geniuses. If a computer broke down, a program refused to operate, it was self help or calling a peer.

Although schools were teaching “computer science” much of the syllabus was worthless. When 14400 modems were commercially offered, the text book explained why one couldn’t send more than 600 bps over a telephone line.

The term “hacker” meant someone who knew about computers. Someone you could call at two a.m. and say; “My modem keeps dropping the carrier after the hand shaking,” and he, (who’d answered the phone with; “Good Afternoon”), would begin diagnostics.

Due to media interference, the term “Hacker” took on sinister connotations. Despite attempts to delineate between a hacker and a cracker, the public runs with the negative.

In the ’80s computers were purchased “naked’. There was no preloaded operating system. There was the BIOS, the Basic Input Output System, and a single floppy diskette containing the Operating System. This was, for most personal computers, DOS.

Apple computers were a little different. As they were not the sacred “IBM Compatible”, they were, then as now, an acquired taste. Most people used the ‘IBM Compatible’ and DOS,  (Disk or Direct Operating System) as their O.S. The beauty of DOS was that it is Command Line. Nothing was loaded. One saw a C: (C prompt) and was required to type in a Command.

The wrong keystroke could be catastrophic. However, if one knew DOS commands, one knew how a computer ‘operated’. One could write a short command which would have an application opened right after the computer powered up.

In those ancient days, the average user could perform all sorts of operations that today require senior engineers.

As there was no copyright law in Jamaica until 1995, people legally shared programs. Some of these programs came with “security” features to prevent “Piracy”. As one had spent weeks searching for this program, “Security Features” could not be allowed to thwart the mission.

This is where most Hackers developed their sense of power. And the division between those who hack and those who use computers, was made. Hacking was a rite of passage. Everyone had, at sometime or other, done this kind of cracking which separated the user from the hacker. This was because, as in many Third World Nations, the choice was; No Connectivity/ Hacked Connectivity.

As more and more agencies, private and public, “went computer” the ease of hacking increased. When the Internet became commercially available in 1995 there was more opportunity to hack, and the divisions in Computer Culture were cemented.

There were those who sold computers as they would fast food. Those who used computers with a sense of fear as if it would turn on them and do unspeakable things with the toaster when they were asleep. There were those who thought the computer was “their friend” and forgot there was a world outside. And there were those who took it as a personal quest to hack systems.

As most people were still Computer Reluctant, the “Boss”  had no idea what was going on, nor did his underlings. The “Kumputa Eggspurt” (often trained by Microsoft) could only babble about upgrades. Due to the ignorance of the “Boss”, Microsoft Certified System Engineers were hired as opposed to the kid who actually knew something beyond the Help key.

The reason one directs attention to Microsoft is that beginning with Windows 95 the wide scale “preloading” has forced the world to use this product. Many people believe that Windows comes “free” with the purchase of a computer. It doesn’t. It is built into the price. Persons who decide not to use it and have it removed from their computers can receive a rebate.

As the majority of users do not know that Windows is merely an Operating System that can be replaced by other Operating Systems, they lock themselves into vulnerability. Imagine that one key unlocks the doors to ninety percent of the cars on the road, and you will begin to comprehend the situation. Creating malware might have started out as a joke, but no one laughs any more.

In early days users thought if they ran a virus detection program every time they started up they would be safe. Those who didn’t have “virus detection” programs surfed more cautiously. Log on, connect to a mail account or news site, then log off. reading mail or a page ‘off-line’, that is, on a computer not connected to the Internet.

Although crude, considering that 14400 was “top speed”, the time it would take for malware to be transmitted longer than the time spent “on line”, a simple check sum program would find and delete malware fragments.

Virus detection programs which came pre-loaded were worthless two months after reaching the market. Only the hacker knew this; users did not, which is why viri were so virulent.

Since the Introduction of ‘95 the vulnerability of computers increased geometrically. It has become a case of; “if you can access your computer, so can I.’

The majority of hackers began to use Linux on their personal systems in 1996. A few major companies and government agencies use LINUX because it is nearly bullet proof. The only people who tell you it isn’t are those selling, or trying to sell, Microsoft products.

Despite the so-called “sophistication” of today’s computers contra those in the Pleistocene, hacking is alive and well and living in Jamaica as it does in all third world countries.

This is because computers are not cheap nor is Internet access. For many, the only way to get on the ‘Net is to hack another’s account.