Hacking for Kids

Book excerpt: A hands-on introduction to ethical hacking for a younger audience. The purpose of ethical hacking is to evaluate the security of computer systems, networks, or system infrastructure and to determine whether unauthorized access or other malicious activities are possible. Hacking for Kids is for the beginner who wants to start exploring ethical hacking in this virtual hacking laboratory. Ethical hacking is the art of evaluating the security of computer systems, networks, or system infrastructure to find holes or vulnerabilities and to determine whether unauthorized access or other malicious activities are possible. The book begins with an introduction to ethical hacking concepts and then demonstrates hands-on the steps necessary to execute specific attacks. Early attacks covered in the book are simple and engaging; designed to give readers the skills necessary to tackle more advanced exploits. The book's emphasis on ethical or "white hat" hacking demonstrates the importance of balancing security against convenience; in other words, sometimes it can be hard to stay safe on a computer. Readers learn how to avoid phishing, viruses, and ransomware as well as how attackers steal passwords on saved websites or gain access to a computer and its files without a username or password.