It is not fun being changed from a goody-two-shoes into a Bash Street Kid

In these days of modern living, terms like hack and/or hacking take on many meanings.
Life hack (or life hacking) refers to any trick, shortcut, skill, or novelty method that increases productivity and efficiency, in all walks of life.
It can also refer to hacking down (which has not happened) long grass, which can be a fire danger during winter – especially on Victoria Street, behind Mickivale Flats…
But there are also more sinister motives when it comes to the dark and devious world of computers and computer stuff…definition: Computer hacking – a piece of code that modifies a computer programme in a skilful or clever way: software hacks, an act or instance of breaking into a network, computer, file, etc., usually with malicious intent (often used attributively)…
Now, this happens quite regularly in Dundee and area, so we are told. In the old days, people used to write anonymous letters to the editor which grumpy editors used to use as ashtrays.
Then, the old hackers got clever and faked addresses. Then these addresses were checked and letters containing fake addresses were chucked out.
Then came along Facebook and WhatsApp.
Just like those convoluted CIA movies from Langley, Virginia, these faceless folk get into your personality and you end up sending out sometimes obscene messages like confessing to being a Blue Bulls fan, or worse, an Arsenal supporter.
Sometimes completely false ‘profiles’ are created and ‘enemies’ targeted in rants that are invariably racist by nature.
There was a school of thought that Penny Sparrow was a fake profile at one stage but this theory did not fly. Now imagine if these real-time hackers can actually penetrate one’s persona.
So, a meek and mild accounting guy could be hacked and turned into a broody killer.
Or a broody killer being turned into a guy who raises money for the SPCA or Crisis Centre.
You could play havoc at school.
The child who always does his homework immaculately and projects are done with unquestionable elegance could be turned into a Bash Street Kid.
And old Plug, the guy who doesn’t even bother to polish his shoes, is suddenly goody-two-shoes. His homework is gorgeous and he reads like Morgan Freeman. Teachers could end up being committed to institutions for treatment.
Hacking is also a defence used often by those accused of some heinous crime.
Everyone is perfectly sane until drugs, alcohol and temporary insanity takes its tolls and, boom, you turn into Mr Hyde.
Watch out for hackers…build a firewall around your pool.