With hacker collectives like Anonymous and LulzSec making headlines on a daily basis, the organizers of hacker convention Defcon are hoping to train the next generation of computer savvy kids to use their intimate knowledge of computers as protection, rather than to attack others. At the Defcon Kids conference in Las Vegas, computer gurus from around the world will teach aspiring hackers as young as 8 the ins and outs of the hacking world, and emphasize that it's cooler to be a good hacker than a malicious one.
Defcon Kids allows youngsters to get involved on the organization side of the conference as well. Many of the con's attractions are being put together by the kids themselves, and hackers as young as 10 will be teaching others the ropes. The conference is being held alongside the grown-up Defcon gathering. Defcon, one of the largest hacker gatherings in the world, attracts law enforcement, military officials, and security consultants from around the world. The yearly event focuses on hacker culture and includes everything from speeches to tutorial sessions.
With events like Defcon Kids, the government hopes that young hacking experts will use their skills to prevent themselves from falling victim to various cyber crimes, perhaps even going to work against malicious hackers in the future. Of course, should any of the enterprising youngsters decide to use their knowledge for evil, they'll already be well ahead of the game, potentially making them an even bigger threat.
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