How to Avoid Becoming a Script Kiddie

Last Updated: October 8, 2020

A script kiddie is someone who knows basic information about the operation of computer systems, but lacks the knowledge or desire to discover and exploit/patch security holes without the use of tools written by better hackers. Script kiddies usually just use tools that abstract the underlying concepts of computer security.

Script kiddies are widely considered to be immature, very lazy, and are definitely not hackers. Being a script kiddie will not gain any recognition in the hacker community.

Steps

1
Learn a programming language in-depth. Hackers commonly prefer Python, C or C++, though the language is up to you. Try to avoid languages with bad reputations like Visual Basic. Batch or VBScript are not technically programming languages, they are shell scripts. Shell scripts have many limitations when compared to fully featured programming languages. .
2
Understand the underlying concepts of how operating systems function (i.e. the Kernel), you will require an in-depth understanding of how both the Windows and Linux operating systems work.

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3
Don't threaten to hack people that anger you. It makes you seem petty and immature. Go for logical debates instead of just attempting to destroy someone. Even if you don't 'win' the argument, you will come out looking mature.
4
Don't self-promote. This goes for any kind of hobby or job. Even if you're good at what you do, don't constantly tell everyone how skilled you are at programming in Assembly language, or your grasp of how a buffer overflow is achieved.
5
Don't fall into the lure of the black-hat hacking community, also known as "malicious hackers". They hack primarily for their own selfish gain, to inflict pain into people's lives, and for self-entertainment. Not only is it illegal to hack people's computers, but if you are caught you could do some jail time and you will find it next to impossible to attain a job with any kind of contact with computers. Companies do not want someone who has a history of hacking with malicious intent (think about it, why would a computer company employ a hacker who may hack them?). Use your skills to help people, there are so many really awesome jobs for ethical hackers.
6
Resist the urge to use tools without understanding the concepts. Hacking tools can be great help in the process, but most tools are investigated by the companies they exploit, and therefore they don't usually work for long. If you understand the underlying concepts of programs and the operating systems, then with this knowledge, you can create your own exploits.
7
Widen your interests, and keep an active social life. This isn't really related to script kiddies, but hackers in general often become so absorbed with their various projects on the computers, that they ignore their friends, or simply don't make friends.

Community Q&A

Question

What's the difference between a hacker and a script kiddie?

Community Answer

The difference comes down to knowledge and experience. Real hackers know much more about computers, software, coding, etc. and can write original scripts while script kiddies rely on exploiting the work of hackers.
Question

How do I know if someone is a script kiddie?

Community Answer

Script kiddies will often brag about being a hacker and this will include showing off pictures of them using other people's programs to "hack" into stuff. They will also use big words like assembly and console when they do not understand one bit what these words mean. They will make no attempt to actually learn anything to do with programming.
Question

Where is there an example of what a script kiddie actually is?

Community Answer

Basically teens who use hacking tools while having no idea how they actually work because defacing websites and creating botnets is fun. They tend to brag a lot about how they're the best hacker too. It's not actually an age specific term, people of any age can be script kiddies, but their childish behaviour is the reason for the term.

Warnings

Despite the advantages of UNIX-based operating systems (Mac OS X, Linux etc.), don't constantly shout praise for them and put down Windows (it's immature and shallow). Be reasonable in your arguments and remember - knowing your way around all major operating systems is key to becoming a real hacker.

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