Computer Science= hackers and programers?

[kevenka]

I was wondering...People who create homebrews, hack, or program codes for electronical devices; did they major in something like computer science or is it more like they just picked it up on their own? I don't know what I want to major in when I get to college, but if computer science is how people rewrite codes, hack computers, and stuff like that...I think that is rather cool, no? I am just stuck between majoring in business or CS... Any feedback would be appreciated

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[DeMoN]

Hackers learn programming themselves. People who go to college end up working for firms.

 

[ZonMachi]

hack computers

Define hack computers?

 

[Mewgia]

If you are choosing between majoring in Business and Computer Science, and you don't know what Computer Science is, here's my suggestion:

Major in Business.

 

[FAST6191]

I have never had a formal computer lesson in my life (high school and the university equivalents which amount to "if your work is all in capitals try pressing caps lock" do not count).

As for expecting education to gain you such skills subjects such as this are usually glossed over, granted there is the ever present duality of knowledge but it is still down to you. Regarding computer science that will usually mean how to make a good algorithm and work with hardware if you are lucky (which is fine and probably useful) but it will not make you a hacker.
There are a few "ethical hacking" courses appearing though, not sure about the US but the ones around here are either throwaway courses (6 months and 2 grand please) or aimed at postgraduates.

If you do want computing though and learning to hack machines is something you want to do try and find one with electronics (it probably will be in electrical engineering rather than computer science), failing that look for a computing course attached to a mathematics department rather than a dedicated computing section (in interviews I sit in on and my friends conduct I find people are far more likely to go for the maths guy than the computing one).

 

[science]

I'm majoring in Computer Science. No hacking so far. Printing diamonds and reversing numbers using C++? Yep, lotsa them, though.

 

[Joe88]

they are not gonna teach your how to hack computers

I am taking a CS course right now which is computer hacking revealed
which basically explains the ways and tools hackers use to gain access and how to prevent it

 

[Mei-o]

they are not gonna teach your how to hack computers

I am taking a CS course right now which is computer hacking revealed
which basically explains the ways and tools hackers use to gain access and how to prevent it

Which also gives you a hint on how to do it yourself.

 

[deathfisaro]

Well in order to prevent hacking, you need to be familiar with hacking methods as well. Today's hacker is tomorrow's cracker, vice versa.

I'm majoring in CS, and I'm not gonna settle for a programmer. If your end goal is a programmer, don't waste your life at the university and just get more hands-on experience.

You don't need a degree to code homebrews, steal banking information, jack accounts and such.

 

[Toni Plutonij]

They won't teach you how to break codes, or how to hack someones PC in any way...But they will teach you stuff, from what you can develop in that way (by your own hard work)..
None of that stuff (hacking/coding/developing) is hard if you know how to do it.....But to learn "dark side" of using your computer...I think you'll have to learn by yourself..

 

[UltraMagnus]

well, I am at university now myself, personally I would recommend computer engineering over computer science for my hackerish and low level things...

I doubt you will do great unless you already have an interest in this sort of subject.... I have been hacking around with electronics and computers since I was 10... although I have not been interested in the security side of things for some years now...

 

[Panzer Tacticer]

If you are choosing between majoring in Business and Computer Science, and you don't know what Computer Science is, here's my suggestion:

Major in Business.

I think that sums it up nicely.

Plus, a college will teach you how to make a computer how to fix a computer and in general all you need to know to be the brains in a company when it comes to understanding went went wrong with the computer. They teach you all the needed skills to compete with hackers etc etc etc.

Hacking isn't taught by anyone that wants you to advertise it. You won't get any credit for your skills until people are constantly asking YOU for advise on hacking skills which you will deny you ever had. And you will be a nobody hacker until you realize your actions are being watched by people you don't want to actually meet for real.

If you are good in College and your marks high, you might have a chance at owning your own home. If you are a good hacker, well it doesn't come with an income, you will need another source of income. Unless you can figure out how to steal electronically and not end up in jail.
There is no retirement package for hackers, and you likely end up only knowing people that will turn you in at the drop of a hat, especially if it gets them off of a minor criminal charge by informing on you.
A decent computer tech can likely live an ok life, and it's all legal. Your only fear will be a boring 9 to 5 and a nagging wife.

I like to think I know a few things about computers. But really, this is all I know.
I can assemble ordinary basic parts and not have them short out.
I can format my computer and install an OS.
I know how to download a torrent, and I know how to process downloads from a newsgroup.
I can make ordinary copies of ordinary data.

I know sweet diddly about hacking.

If I had your choices, I would be going to business school too.

 

[Zamo]

I'm actually doing a Business Computing Degree (major in business and computer science) right now, and the business part sucks. I'm changing my major to straight up cs and maybe I'll major in math as well.

 

[DSGameMaker]

You don't need any kind of formal education to make homebrew or develop for games consoles. I programmed my own DS Game Maker and even sell the registered version online, and I'm 14. I got no help from school.


- James

 

[WildWon]

I'm majoring in Computer Science. No hacking so far. Printing diamonds and reversing numbers using C++? Yep, lotsa them, though.

OMGz! Your schooling has taught you how to use C++ to HACK COUNTING!!! OMGOMGOMGz!

 

[NetShira]

I majored in Business and minored in Computer Science... Both require a few classes in english, math, and intro to computers (really simple). Where they differed was business required an accounting class or 2, management class, and 1 more history class than CS. CS required more math than normal, and of course more programming classes (data structures, more languages). After 3 years I swapped my major and minor as I abhor accounting and management crap.
Now I'm out of college and have been working for 10 yrs, so take what I say with a grain of salt (aka things may have changed a bit in the ciriculum), but I am a senior systems programmer and internet security specialist. Comparing what I got from College to non-college going co-workers in my company is a better grasp at data structures (aka more tools in the belt for solving problems) and a more in-depth knowledge of how my high-level code is getting translated into the lower level machine language.

Taking Business will most likely require that you take some Accounting and Management classes (not fun but useful)
Taking computer science will most likely require that you take some advanced math classes, and logic-circuit classes (both specialized and pointless unless the kind of job you get afterward needs them...which is rare)

So.. pick your poison but good luck!

 

[kevenka]

Well, the idea of hacking was like for games lol
I wanted to learn how to make codes and mess with programs already made(and maybe the PC aswell)
The programing was also related to coding games. I personally think the gaming industry will only grow over time until government intervenes with how society may be crumbling b/c of it.

 

[jesterscourt]

Some places will teach you stuff like pentesting, but the reality is, a lot of black hat hacking is done moreso through social engineering than actual hacking.