'Hackerteen' is the name of a new graphic novel, and also the name of a unique educational project in Brazil. The project trains young persons, ages 14 to 19, about computer networks, security, internet businesses, and hacker ethics. The Hackerteen training attempts to solve three significant problems:
— Children wasting time on the Internet, surfing the Web and playing games;
— Children become victims of cybercrimes, and in some cases, committing cybercrimes; and
— The growing need for qualified professionals in the field of computer network security.
A “hacker”, by the way, is defined as anyone who can break in to a computer network, either for fun, or with the intention of committing crimes. What types of crimes? The computer could be shut down, and/or data could be destroyed. Passwords, or sensitive information — such as credit card data— might be stolen and then sold. Or the “hacked” computer might now record your keystrokes, and then send those strokes to the perpetrators. Of course, to save us from these crimes, we need “ethical hackers”, people who understand computer security so profoundly that they can prevent the crimes, or trace the criminals after the fact.
In 'Hackerteen' (the book), you won’t learn the step-by-step process for breaking in to your bank’s computer system, or how-to spy on your neighbors and friends. Instead, you will find clear descriptions of the perils of modern computing. Most importantly, you — and your teenaged children — will discover positive role models that show how cool it is to learn deeply, to make good choices, and to do the right thing.
Hackerteen: Internet Blackout, Volume 1
by Marcel Marques and the Hackerteen Team
Graphic novel, paperback, 100 pages
Published by O’Reilly, April 2008, $ 19.99
Hackerteen Project, in Brazil
http://www.hackerteen.com
