Hacking Ethics

One of the more well-known pastimes at MIT is hacking. Hackers explore roofs and tunnels, pull creative pranks called hacks, and generally look at the campus from an unusual perspective. Being a good hacker requires curiosity, skill, and a decent dose of creativity. Unfortunately, the skills required to be a hacker can be used for less innocuous purposes, and carelessness at the wrong time can be dangerous.

The hacking community at MIT takes very seriously their responsibility to train new hackers in safe and appropriate behaviour patterns. Malicious or irresponsible behavior will result in problems for all hackers. Therefore, some of the first things new arrivals learn are Hacking Ethics.

The rules, in brief:

• Be subtle. Don't leave evidence that you were there.
  
• Always leave things as you found them, or better.
  
• Leave no permanent damage, both during hacks and while hacking.
  
• Don't steal anything. If you must borrow something, always return it-- perhaps even leave a note saying when it will be returned.
  
• Brute force is the last resort of the incompetent.
  
• Sign-ins should not be seen by the general public. Sign-ins exhibit one's pride in having found a location. Most hackers aren't proud of discovering Lobby 7.
  
• Don't drink and hack. Enough said.
  
• Don't drop things (without a ground crew).
  
• Don't hack alone.
  
• Above all, exercise common sense