Editing 278: Black Hat Support
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| date = June 18, 2007 | | date = June 18, 2007 | ||
| title = Black Hat Support | | title = Black Hat Support | ||
− | | image = black_hat_support.png | + | | image = black_hat_support.png |
| titletext = So as not to leave you hanging -- it was a problem with select() calls. | | titletext = So as not to leave you hanging -- it was a problem with select() calls. | ||
}} | }} | ||
==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
+ | Hackers are stereo-typically divided into "{{w|White hat (computer security)|white hat}}" (good guys) and "{{w|Black hat hacking|black hat}}" (bad guys). | ||
+ | A "black hat" hacker is a hacker who "violates computer security for little reason beyond maliciousness or for personal gain" | ||
− | This strip portrays | + | This strip portrays a "black hat" support line, where the support person is providing annoying and unhelpful advice maliciously and for little reason beyond personal amusement. |
− | The support line is clearly for Linux, as stated in the introduction, and the client on the phone clearly has a Linux problem | + | The support line is clearly for Linux, as stated in the introduction, and the client on the phone clearly has a Linux problem. |
− | + | However, the support person is intentionally giving irrelevant instructions that refer to Windows PC operation (Start menu, my documents folder). | |
− | + | Finally, the support person asks the client on the phone to "bear with him," only to suggest that the client should use a ridiculously obsolete mechanism to look for the answer to his problem (AOL keywords). AOL is well known for their CDs stated as the No. 1 most annoying tech product by PCWorld. | |
==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
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:Phone: Hi. I'm running an Apache server, and the load keeps climbing out of control. | :Phone: Hi. I'm running an Apache server, and the load keeps climbing out of control. | ||
:Black Hat: Okay. First, click on the Start Menu. | :Black Hat: Okay. First, click on the Start Menu. | ||
− | :Phone: I'm sorry, this is the | + | :Phone: I'm sorry, this is the Linux helpline, right? |
− | :Black Hat: Of course, | + | :Black Hat: Of course, Sir. |
:Black Hat: If you'll just open the "My Documents" folder- | :Black Hat: If you'll just open the "My Documents" folder- | ||
− | :Phone: Just a damn minute | + | :Phone: Just a damn minute, I think you're putting me on. |
− | :Black Hat: Please bear with me, | + | :Black Hat: Please bear with me, Sir. |
:Black Hat: Now, load up your AOL and go to the Keyword "Linux"- | :Black Hat: Now, load up your AOL and go to the Keyword "Linux"- | ||
:Phone: *click* | :Phone: *click* |