Therefore, the people whose job it is to manage Web servers are very protective about the security of their systems. When questioned about the specifics of how Harvard has responded to the recent hacking incidents, Steen is hesitant to provide too much detail.
"We also do not discuss the specifics of the steps taken for security reasons," he says. "Information about our actions could be used to compromise security."
Just Another Teen Trend?
As the number of hacking incidents continues to rise, many people have proposed the view that hacking is just a trend.
"Breaking into systems is something of an adrenaline rush for many people," Osterberg says. "It gives some people a sense of accomplishment, that they've accomplished something that others couldn't."
Hackers are very competitive about trying to break into the most difficult systems. A hacker who is able to break into a very secure and protected system is respected and considered to be a better hacker.
Not only does hacking appear to be a trend, but it is one that seems to be dominated by teenagers and young adults.
Recently, two California teenagers were convicted of hacking into U.S. military computers. Before they were identified, many thought their hacking was the work of terrorists rather than that of 15 and 16-year-olds
Furthermore, an organization of young hackers known as HFG hacked into The New York Times Web site this past September. When loyal readers tried to access the Times site that day, they were shocked to discover that the site had been altered.
The purpose of the hack was to protest the role Times reporter John. Markoff played in the imprisonment of hacker Kevin Mitnick.
Young people have always been known to commit mischievous and malicious acts for fun. Since today's youth have grown up with computers and technology, it is not surprising that they now use this technology to pull pranks and wreak havoc in the Internet, administrators say.
"I think it goes back to the sense of power," Osterberg says. "It fits in quite well with [the] teen and young adult mentality of being invincible and young adult mentality of being invincible and not really considering the consequences of actions. A more mature person may be more likely to be on the victim side of such an attack, and thus, have a better appreciation for why such things can be so damaging."
Osterberg says that as more and more people use the Internet, they must become increasingly aware of the danger that hacking poses.
"Security, confidentiality and authentication of communication, I believe, will continue to become more and more important," he says. "Here at Harvard, we can be sure that the University is doing its best to protect us from further attacks by hackers, even if we can't be privy to all the details. Or as Steen says, "Security is a topic that it is best to keep secure.