So you want to learn how to be a Hacker? Don’t even try. Give up right now!

You heard me. Quit. Give up. Did you really believe that you could learn how to be a hacker? Do you know how many people want to learn how to hack? Did you know that 99% of them fail? Everyday, people claim they want to become hackers. They look for teachers, mentors, tutorials, etc. Those very same people fail after a week of effort. So, what chance do you have when all those people failed? Do you even know what it takes to be a hacker? You’ve got to be knowledgeable, analytical, creative, imaginative, industrious, and resourceful. On top of all that, you’ve got to be a genius. So, what chance do you have of becoming a hacker? Zilch. Zero. Nada. Give up. You’re just wasting your time.

Okay, now that I’ve had my fun, let’s look at making you into a hacker. But, wait, didn’t I just say you should just give up? Well, I did say that, but I was only venting my frustration. So many people endeavor to become hackers, yet 99% of them only last about a week before giving up. This makes me very suspicious when someone says they want to be a hacker. When someone says that, the one question that runs through my mind is, “Do they really want it? Or is this just another nobody who will give up at the first sign of trouble?” I think there are a number of reasons why someone would want to become a hacker and there are a number of reasons as to why he fails and gives up. First, let’s look at the reasons why someone would want to be a hacker.

Hacker’s are cool, as I’ve so thoroughly proven in my post Why We Love Hackers. Hackers are those deviant loners with mythical, mystical minds who dance on cables of electric fire! Seriously, with this belief running through the veins of society, who wouldn’t want to be a hacker? Hacking is glamorized by the media, namely Hollywood, as noted in The Hacker Mythos. Hacking is made to look more exciting than it actually is. This isn’t to say hacking isn’t exciting. I’m just trying to say that hacking isn’t what the media makes it out to be.

So, a person looks at what a hacker is or, more accurately, what a hacker seems to be, and says, “Boy, I would really like to be a hacker!” The only problem is that that person is relying on a glamorized, misleading perception of the hacker. So, when that person actually starts to learn about hacking, he will quickly lose interest, “Hey, this hacking stuff isn’t all that its cracked up to be. It’s tough and boring!” All of you folks who want to be hackers better get rid of any false notions about being a hacker, right here, right now. Hacking isn’t as glamorous as the media portrays it to be, but it can be great fun!

Okay, but what about those people who don’t have a false notion about what it means to be a hacker? Why do they fail? That’s an easy one. They fail because they try to learn everything there is to know about hacking in a time period of five minutes. I’m exaggerating, of course. But, it’s true. Most people try to learn all they can in a week’s time. They learn a lot, but, eventually, they get overwhelmed and they burn out. These people are too damn impatient. They want the goods right here, right now. Hacking is an art and the entirety of that art can’t really be learned over the course of a week, month, or even a year. It takes time. Lots of it, It takes patience, persistence, perseverance, and practice. The best advice I can give a beginner on this issue is to take it one day at a time. Learn a little every day, one step at a time. You’ll get there, be patient with yourself.

Are there any more reasons why people fail to become hackers? Yes, there’s plenty. Another reason why most people fail is that they don’t know where to start. Hacking is a large field and there is much to know. So knowing where to begin is a tough issue. I’m no hacker, but I know a lot about hackers and computing. Whenever someone asks me where they should begin, I tell them to begin with their own computer. Learn everything about it. How it runs, its functions, components, its design. Then, learn about networks. Learn how computers talk to one another. Learn about network design, functionality, components, rinse/repeat. After you’ve done all the following (which is A LOT of learning), you’ll have a good idea as to what it takes to be a hacker.

Would you like to know another reason why most people give up? They underestimate the difficulty of the work. They tuck tail and run at the first sign of a struggle. They figure, “This is really tough. I don’t get it. I guess I’m not cut out to be a hacker.” Oh how wrong they are. They forget that learning, no matter who you are, is a struggle. Even the best hackers struggle. The thing that separates the hackers from the nobodies is that the hackers persist in the struggle. They don’t give in or give up. It’s all about the struggle. Remember that, and take your time. Again, be patient.

Most people fail because they’ve made a combination of the above mistakes: they have a false notion of what it means to be a hacker, they underestimate the work, don’t know where to start, and try to learn it all in one day. Hopefully this post helps dispel some of the misconceptions about being a hacker and encourages those would-be hackers to continue in their journey. And it’s one hell of a journey, so enjoy it. Kick back and hack to your heart’s content!