Award-winning Publishers Weekly Best-selling Author

So You Want to be a Computer Hacker? Guest post by DiAnn Mills

by | Jul 7, 2014 | , | Guest Blogs | 11 comments

I’m sure most of you guessed by my recent flurry of posts on Facebook that the TV show 24 is my fave. I love the action, intrigue, and of course the computer hacker, Chloe! There’s nothing she can’t do when her fingers fly across her keyboard. Have you ever wanted to be like her? Hacking into systems to help beat the clock and get the bad guys? I confess, I haveFirewall copy.

I know today the term computer hacker has a negative connotation to it. They play havoc and download viruses to steal identities. However, there are those who work for the good guys. DiAnn Mills tells us about the research she did for her newest release, Firewall. Let’s see what she found.

Take it away, DiAnn!

Copy that!

P.S. Read to the very end to find out how you can win an autographed copy of Firewall!

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In Firewall, a computer hacker’s work escalates into a critical issue. Taryn Young, my heroine is a software developer who is determined to stop a hacker from penetrating a software program and prevent the loss of lives and property.

digitalworld

The ability to hack a computer system requires an intelligent and highly motivated individual. Few colleges and universities teach the needed skills, which means the potential hacker seeks to learn through somewhat illegal means by locating hacker communities who are willing to share their expertise. Some love the idea of learning how to make an impact in the world of technology. Others soon realize the harm that can be done.

In my novel, the hacker’s motivation is greed, money, and power.

The research about hackers, the types, characteristics, and levels of expertise, is fascinating.

Hackers are good guys or bad guys. White Hats is the label used for ethical hackers. These pre-authorized individuals break into their own company’s systems to test security and software. They work to see how deeply they can penetrate a computer system’s access and data to expose vulnerabilities so they can be remedied. The International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants is an organization that furthers the development of ethical hacking through classes, certifications, and continuous training. My heroine is at the top of the list as a White Hat.

Bad guy hackers are generally referred to as Black Hats. They have their own agenda, and their methods are illegal. Mildly put, the bad guy/girl hackers are out to breech security systems to demonstrate their ability to capture and/or destroy data.

A Grey Hat hacker uses the skills and expertise of a Black Hat and White Hat. These persons hack into a system, find the vulnerable areas, and report the findings to the administrator. Often, they offer to repair the weakened system for a fee.

My heroine has an elite status. She uses an alias as a Black Hat hacker so she can keep up to date on their methods of disrupting or damaging and protecting computer systems.

blackhat

Other classifications of those involved in securing and protecting information on computer systems can be found here:  http://www.ehow.com/facts_5003123_types-computer-hackers.html

Firewall involves hackers seeking information inside a computer system in which a software program has been protected by a firewall. This is part of a software program or a computer system that serves to prohibit unauthorized access. My heroine has designed a software program with a superior firewall.

A back door is simply a method a code developer might program into an application which permits him/her to gain access into an application or system without using the typical “logon credentials”or normal front door method of gaining access to the application or system. It’s not documented anywhere since it serves as a point of exposure. This approach allows a developer to more easily provide support even if the normal method of gaining access isn’t operational. Someone could use the backdoor in an unethical manner and either destroy or plant a virus. My heroine is aware of a backdoor in her software, but what happens if it’s hacked?

A race for time and the source of the hacker keeps my heroine and the hero on the move. Will they find the bad guy before it’s too late – and survive?

Have you considered being a computer hacker? Leave a comment below and be entered for a personalized copy of Firewall. Contest ends midnight, Saturday, July 12th (EST). 

DiAnn Mills Bio

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She currently has more than 55 books published.

Picture 085Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; the 2014 president of the Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope, & Love chapter; and a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is also a craftsman mentor for the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild.

She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas. Visit her website at www.diannmills.com and connect with her on Facebook  (www.facebook.com/diannmills), Twitter (twitter.com/diannmills), Pinterest (www.pinterest.com/DiAnnMills), and Goodreads (www.goodreads.com/DiAnnMills).

11 Comments

  1. Brenda Rumsey

    I loved reading this book. DiAnn takes you on a fast pace adventure from start to finish and gives you a few surprises along the way. I couldn’t put it down and can’t wait for her next book.
    I love solving puzzles, and though I love watching movies and reading stories about hackers I have never wanted to be one. On the other hand, my youngest grandson is intrigued by the idea…smile.

    Reply
  2. DiAnn Mills

    Brenda, Thanks so much for the comment!

    Reply
  3. Diane Spearing

    God bless you Christian authors.. Dar i can’t wait for Ambers dreams to be released!!!!

    Reply
  4. Brenda Walker

    It would be fun being a computer hacker but quite frankly – I don’t have enough computer knowledge for it:) Thanks for writing great books that hold my attention.

    Reply
    • Darlene L. Turner

      Agent Chocolate, you can do anything you set your mind to do! 😉 For those of you reading this…Brenda is my partner in crime who took the citizen’s police academy with me. Such fun!

      Reply
  5. Patricia Sanchez

    It would be so much fun to do something like that, but I haven’t the knowledge for it. My boyfriend, however, would be great at it. He can find anything and loves working on computers. I love the way DiAnn went to the FBI to research for Firewall. It was great!!! I’d love a copy for our local library. God bless you for this opportunity!!

    Reply
    • Darlene L. Turner

      Wouldn’t it be fun to just magically have the skill set appear one day?! ha! That would be cool. Thanks for stopping by, Patricia!

      Reply
  6. DiAnn Mills

    Love your comments! Thanks so muc!

    Reply
  7. Marissa Shrock

    I wish I were good enough with computers to be a hacker. I’ll just have to live vicariously through characters!

    Reply
    • Darlene L. Turner

      I wish I was too, Marissa! Don’t you just love being able to make your character be anything you want? ha! Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  8. Darlene L. Turner

    And the winner is…..drum roll….Diane Spearing! Congrats and enjoy!

    Reply

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