I don't mean to play Devil's Advocate, but its necessary in the point I'm going to make-
We need hackers. Without them theres no incentive to create stronger, more protected systems and databases, and virus protection software. The government uses them all the time. At our level its an annoyance, when it happens to them its a crime (in their opinion). Granted, its not fair how chump-change hackers at the public level are let of the hook sometimes, but what are you going to do?
If these hackers don't want to get caught they should cover their tracks. You can tell a real amateur from a professional in the clues they leave behind. A professional leaves no evidence and no way to track them. These other goof balls however are just waiting to be arrested and tried.
I don't remember the exact statistics, but I believe some 60-75% of all hack jobs (as of the last few years at the public level) are committed by newbies who don't know what the hell they are doing beyond how to get in to a system. Hackers these days are getting younger and younger and they're starting off at a younger age, thinking its cool to be a hacker. So when a kid is caught how should he/she be tried? As an adult? Whats your opinion on this? Keep in mind the young punk probably didn't have the capacity to do any real harm anyways, he's probably just snooping.
In the end, is hacking cool? Morally, no, its not cool. Literally, yes it is cool. Because afterall, it gives you the power to do whatever you want with anyone online. Hackers often think of themselves as gods because of what they can do. And in a way, they do own us digitally, and they are to be feared in alot of cases, because they can clean your online finances out and leave you bankrupt. They can tap into virtually any aspect of your life. If a computer is connected to a part of your personal business in any way, thats all they need, no matter where they are.
I was once facinated about hacking, and a friend of mine is a pretty good hacker and was willing to teach me. But after looking at all I'd have to learn just so I'd do nothing with it (since I wouldn' actually hack anything, its just for namesake), it was pointless.
Some hackers are "assholes" as you put it, some however make the system work in the greater scheme of things. They keep it on it's toes and keep it advancing. It all keeps the system from becoming complacent. Its just a shame when we, the public, get caught in the middle of it and feel the pinch and damage.
Hackers are a necessary evil in turning the wheels of the system. Does it mean I agree with it? Hell no. I'm just taking it for what it is- an almost symbiotic relationship.
