Everyone
has to start somewhere, and since hacking will continue to grow
and transform as technology progresses, there will always be
newcomers. The purpose of Neophyte Haven is to present information
that will help those new to the scene get started on their foray
into the world of hacking and the computer underground. The best
way to start, and continue, building your knowledge base is to
read up on material that interests you. Try locating everything
you can, on and offline, about hacking, computers, programming,
cellular phones, whatever interests you. Then read it. Study
it. Understand it. You can never know too much...
Note: files marked with the
`new' symbol are new additions to the site, not necessarily new
releases.
Phrack is a long-time running hacking/phreaking oriented ezine
which started in the early `80's. It is only published electronically,
and, after recently changing editors, is is being published monthly.
Back issues can be found at the Phrack website, or they are available
for download from the Hackers.Com
Archives. Issues provide more than a wealth of information.
2600 - The Hacker Quarterly
is another hacking oriented
magazine that is only available as a printed magazine. It tends
to be more technically oriented, but it's been
around since the early `80's and is another great source of information.
You can generally find it in your local bookstore with or near
the computer magazines, but check out their
web site for more details. Published quarterly.
Books Worth
Reading
The following should be available
at your local library or major bookstore:
Following
is a small list of utilities that are worthy of having in any
hackers arsenal. These won't make you a hacker, and
using them isn't necessarily hacking. They are tools
that can help aid the curious minded individual for whatever
endeavors they see fit. But regardless, grab these to begin your
collection:
War Dialer. Often referred to as a scanner or
demon dialer. It's purpose if to scan the local calling area
(or long distance) for carrier tones with the hopes of finding
a modem at the other end. If there is a modem, there's bound
to be a computer attached to it, right? You can find others in
our archives. Click [ HERE ] to jump there...
Password Cracker. A utility used to
exhibit brute force attempts at cracking Unix based password
files (often denoted as etc/passwd). It runs under DOS, and has
a decent collection of features. Similar utilities can also be
found in the archives. Click [ HERE ] to jump there...
Combo Pak. This program offers a number of useful
utilities built into one package. It has a password cracker,
word generator, word sorter, port scanner, finger lookup, file
extractor, dummy file crator and more. Not a bad piece of software...
Internet Tools. A front-end for the
following functions:
Ping, TraceRoute, Finger, Whois and NS Lookup. Useful if you
happen to use the Internet. If you aren't sure, ask yourself
how you're viewing this page...that should clarify things for
ya...
Encryption. Probably the best encryption utility
you can use (currently), Pretty Good Privacy is a must for anyone
who respects there privacy, hacker oriented or not. Learn it.
Use it. Encrypt your email. Encrypt your files. Encrypt yourself.
Port Scanner. A useful and fast port scanner from
7th Sphere. Simple to setup, even simpler to run.
(11k)
Now, the tips:
The following
tips are just small words of wisdom for those starting out.
They aren't guidlines to live by, and they aren't intended to
insult anyone's intelligence. They were just developed based
on the kinds of feedback we get from neophytes. All we can say
is, live and learn...
Tip #1
If you don't understand how
to compress and decompress an archived file [ie. a zipped file
(.zip)] then you really need to read a basic book on computing
etc. before moving on. Believe it or not, it's more than common
to read an email such as "...what viewer do I need to view
the .zip files on your site?" You need WinZip
(for Windows buffs) or a similar package (which is just a front-end
for the pkzip and pkunzip utilities (v2.04)...get it, understand
it, use it.
Tip #2
If you're completely
new to the realm of computer hacking and the underground, the
only way to learn is to read...read...and read some more. Then
experiment with what you start learning, and ask intelligent
questions of those who may know the answers. There is no shortcut
to learning to hack. It comes with understanding and hands on
experience, trial and error and a little patience...
Tip #3
When you ask someone (another
hacker) a question...don't be surprised if you get flamed for
being a newbie or told to get lost. It seems the mentality of
those who feel they know it all is to horde info. Either way,
just make sure you try and find out the answer and tap all other
resources before asking for a blatant answer without attempting
to answer it yourself. One aspect of hacking is being able to
track down information, to solve a problem yourself using all
the resources you can think of before going for the quick fix...research
can lead to discovery...
Tip #4
Learn a programming
and/or a scripting language, preferably one that is Unix based
(C++, Perl, JavaScript etc.) Learning to program and write scripts
can be vital components in understanding the ins and outs of
an operating system (OS) in order to exploit weaknesses and security
holes etc. Understanding how to exploit a weakness can in turn
teach you how to locate and patch them...that is, if you're not
bent on malicious intent, that would be taboo...it's all about
exploration and satisfying curiosity.
