Complex and controversial, hackers possess a wily, fascinating talent, the machinations of which are shrouded in secrecy. Providing in-depth exploration into this largely uncharted territory, Profiling Hackers: The Science of Criminal Profiling as Applied to the World of Hacking offers insight into the hacking realm by telling attention-grabbing tales about bizarre characters that practice hacking as an art.

Focusing on the relationship between technology and crime and drawn from the research conducted by the Hackers Profiling Project (HPP), this volume applies the behavioral science of criminal profiling to the world of internet predators. The authors reveal hidden aspects of the cyber-crime underground, answering questions such as: Who is a real hacker? What life does a hacker lead when not on-line? Is it possible to determine a hacker’s profile on the basis of his behavior or types of intrusion? What is the motive behind phishing, pharming, viruses, and worms?

After gaining notoriety for breaking into many high-profile computer systems, the Italian hacker Raoul Chiesa turned to ethical hacking in 1995. Today he uses his skills and abilities to find ways to protect networks and computer systems. Stefania Ducci is a member of the Counter Human Trafficking and Emerging Crimes Unit at the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI). Silvio Ciappi is a criminologist who lectures at the University of Pisa and studies criminal profiling. These three experts with vastly different backgrounds explore the clandestine network of cyber-criminals, providing an unparalleled glimpse into the secret lives of these malevolent individuals.