Now theres an excellent analogy. Like I said before, I agree, I just like to argue whatever side people are not defending I can't really refute your arguement here, but what the hell, I'll give it a try anyway.... Most "hackers" are not doing anything for knowledge anymore. There are some, but most are just in it for fame. There is a difference.

A lot would depend on the company. Hactivism (hacking for a cause) attacks machines of things they are against. Lets say there is a company in your neighborhood which is known for taking naked pictures of minors, but there is no proof. First of all, you may obtain the proof necessarry (although illegally). Secondly, do you really care that it cost them that much money to fix their security???

Ok, thats just a select group though.

Lets say it is a government building or a .edu building. Yes, school building are easy to get into..haven't tried a government building though. Anyway, the government secures information bassed on value. If you think you have any chance in hell in breaking into Fort Mead (NSA headquarters), then you have to get your head examined. If you break into an army recruiter station though, you may get away with it. But they are not going to spend a lot of money trying to fix it. They are going to set up a new camera watching that door better, and maybe replace the lock. A university is the same way (although not as secure). If you want to get to paper records, its not going to be behind one door. You will have to get in the building, in the right office, and in the right cabinet. A lot more then just getting in the outside door. If they do catch you comming into the building, they MAY put in a camera. It is more likely they will toss a security guard in that building for a week or two, then just forget the incident.

What value is their now to your knowledge, and what wisdom did you really offer and to whom?
That depends on the business. You may gain proof about illegal activites. Lets say you get into a DVD manufacture. You may learn how they work. The type of knowledge is bassed on the company. Why does an igloo stay standing? If you get into a company that builds igloos, you may find out that it is because of the "key stone". Yeah, big deal, but if you have been infatued with igloos for years, that may mean a lot to you.


Also, lets say that you do get "seen" and the company does spend 1000's of dollars to upgrade their security. Maybe they should have done that at the FBI Building in Oklahoma City. Yeah, "I" didn't do anything when I broke into their building, but the next person along just destroyed the entire place. So is it better for me to get seen, or to just use crappy security and wait for a "terrorist" to take out the place completely?