ABOUT THE COMPUTER UNDERGROUND

The Computer Underground is an umbrella term used by this author to describe the online world of hackers, crackers, phreaks, script kiddies, computer security enthusiasts and professionals, and other fringe groups and individuals that loosely overlap in the sharing of common norms, values, and activities. One common theme is the social nature in which they interact in order to learn, boast, or just talk. The term computer underground is preferred because
labeling everyone that belongs to it as a hacker would be an over generalization. Because hackers dominate the computer underground, the terms hacker and hacking will be used often in this guide.
Another problem is that it is a community that anyone can belong to, as there are no membership cards handed out. Even though a victim may claim that they have been “hacked”, this does not automatically mean that a computer underground type suspect is involved. Disgruntled, former employees should not be overlooked. These people may just be involved in one time attacks and not part of any type of online social group. By understanding the different aspects of the computer underground and looking at the motive of the crime, the investigators should be able to identify if the computer underground is involved and if they should focus the investigation accordingly.
A. Definitions:

As it was difficult to define the computer underground, it is likewise difficult to define the different groups that are associated with it. Since there is no governing body that determines what the definitions of these groups are or how they should act, you can have two different people each identifying themselves with the same group, and yet are completely different. Therefore, the descriptions of these groups, provided below, should only be considered as generalizations. The important thing is to be able to understand these terms when they are encountered in an investigation. Understanding the different patterns of behavior of these different groups may lead to a better understanding of the suspect himself. For example, if it is suspected that a script kiddie is behind the crime, it can then be deduced that the person is most likely young and not part of a more professional criminal organization, but is instead motivated by the desire to cause mischief.