14 yr old kid in the field of Computers,Security

[achutes]

I need help to chose my career in the field of computers ,I am currently a 15 yr old kid who runs a blog @ http://techgeektricks.blogspot.com/ and I want to know that what career path i must choose .I like hacking ,[i can do some little hacking but not serious hacking ] . i also like blogging about computers internet tricks and tips. But i am really confused as to what to choose to become in future . Computer Security Professional or A web designer - [ you can check out some word press themes converted to blogger by me @ http://acbloggertemplates.blogspot.com/ ] or a Blogger.please suggest me some career path ,And i would be delighted if you also gave the approx salary of each and also if you would suggest me some other career path . Thanks for reading.

[Yasa_Zidfrau]

I suggest u to become a hacker, because once u professional u can do everything bout computer

I suggest u to become a hacker, because once u professional u can do everything bout computer. But to become real hacker u need sooooo many basic

[BSOD]

It seems that you want to either become a Computer Security Professional or a Web Designer. Schools/Colleges don't offer such courses and so you'll probably have to get into some sort of private institution.
But, I'd say that you keep your options open. Take CS in college and learn programming. Along the way learn some neat tools(such as vi) and (maybe) switch to Linux. The second and probably the most important thing is to learn to learn things by yourself. Go collect a decent bunch of articles, blog posts, books or any source of information related even remotely to computers and start reading them. See what you like and what you don't. Try to see what is happening and hot. Say, you hear about RoR today. Go to wikipedia and learn about and start using it. Like it? Learn more, don't stop and grok it. No? Move on.

[MetalheadGautham]

^^+1.

Some of the best people in this field are those who tried to learn things by themselves.
You can also use the IRC very effectively.
Its a great place if you want to learn how to use something new.

You should take programming seriously, and, trust me, its something quite simple and only needs logic. I recommend you start with Python. (Which is easier than C which I and many of my friends learnt when we were 12 years old).

And consider reading the following article, titled How To Become A Hacker, written by Eric S Raymond. http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/hacker-howto.html

It would provide you inspiration, basis, benchmark and some really neat advice as to how to further proceed in life. Try everything there and see how your life changes. You are 14 hence you have plenty of time to set your life right.

The main thing you need to use in this field is BRAINS. You need to develop analytical thinking and for this, I recommend you take up mathematics as a subject seriously. Write the NTSE examination when you reach 10th, and prepare for it well. Its going to definitely help you think better.

[Krazy Bluez]

WOW, a blog by a 14 year old kid ! Way to go bro....keep up, BTW i went to your blog and I just want to share a thing that you should try to change your theme of the blog, create a small free domain (like www.co.cc) and use this link to promote your site, like in forums, e-mails, etc so that you get a wider audience. Take a look at our very own MVP Vishal's blog www.askvg.com and get to know about his blog, and take an idea from him also ! BTW nice try, keep going....

[JojoTheDragon]

Good going. Nice blog. It doesn't matter if you are only 14. Computer i a device that you can master at any age just you need is the right amount of curiosity. Keep it Up.

[victor_rambo]

First tell me:
Do you view yourself as some-one extra ordinary because you are just 14 yr old and yet in comps and security?

[achutes]

First of all thank you to all of you who had taken their precious time to reply ..

Yasa_Zidfrau - I suggest u to become a hacker,

I will be looking forward to it. thanks.

BSOD - Take CS in college and learn programming. Along the way learn some neat tools(such as vi) and (maybe) switch to Linux.

i will do take cs in college and will be try to switch to linux.and also thanks for your last words .
Does linux Runs on Microsoft Virtual PC ??

MetalheadGautham - You can also use the IRC very effectively.

You should take programming seriously, and, trust me, its something quite simple and only needs logic. I recommend you start with Python.

And consider reading the following article, titled How To Become A Hacker, written by Eric S Raymond. http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/hacker-howto.html
Write the NTSE examination when you reach 10th, and prepare for it well. Its going to definitely help you think better.

I will be using irc and Python thanks. And also thanks for the link to the aswoseme article . I will also try my best to do that exam .

Krazy Bluez - i went to your blog and I just want to share a thing that you should try to change your theme of the blog, create a small free domain (like www.co.cc) and use this link to promote your site, like in forums, e-mails, etc so that you get a wider audience. Take a look at our very own MVP Vishal's blog www.askvg.com

Thanks for droping by my blog. Your suggestion for to get a free domain name like .co.cc insted of .blogspot is also good but . If i use .co.cc now and then move to .com later i believe my pg will go down. Yes Mvp Vishal blog is truly good . thanks again.

victor_rambo - First tell me:
Do you view yourself as some-one extra ordinary because you are just 14 yr old and yet in comps and security?

well i did felt a little hurt when i read your reply for the first time then on the second time i went through the reply again and your signature

At times, I am very outspoken and frank. If you are seeking my sincere opinions about something, I may not always speak good.

Well i used to think but not know when i got to know about xavier,and others teens running pr 3 ,4 blogs and also some teen hackers . Any ways thanks for your harsh words but filled with some meanings words.

[victor_rambo]

Originally Posted by achutes

well i did felt a little hurt when i read your reply for the first time then on the second time i went through the reply again and your signature
Well i used to think but not know when i got to know about xavier,and others teens running pr 3 ,4 blogs and also some teen hackers . Any ways thanks for your harsh words but filled with some meanings words.

Well...the only reason I told you so is because you know the reality. Anywayz, seems like you got what I wanted to tell you!

[mgmshariff]

Its gr8 top see a 14yr old Kid having sound knowledge of computer tricks & i will be glad to advice u for ur career.
Well i see tht u r interested in Computer security & web designing. Well, as far as my knowledge is concerned I think u should go for computer security as tht more paying job. As there r system security & network security , first analyze & see which interest u the most. If u r interested in hacking, u can find good books on "Ethical Hacking", one of good (Indian) author is Ankit Fadia.
Then have sound knowledge on Windows & Linux Administration(as windows is restricted to personal use only rather than in cooperate world.). Pursue ur Bachelors degree in Computer Engg. & if ur interested & if possible u can pursue Mater's degree in IIIT-Allahabad where they provide mater's course in Cyber law & information security. You can have a look at the web link : http://msclis.iiita.ac.in/33/admissions.html . See if you want to earn bog bucks in a good comp., try to have a best & higher degree along with a sound knowledge. Having a higher degree will help u to grow fast. I hope this would be helpful to u....

[TheLetterD]

hey ppl im also 14 and now consideribly a lot abt entertainment comp hardware<cpus,gpus,thier architecture,motherboard support,ram standrd>mostly consumer things.like u can ask me configs for a new pc in a fixed rate,recommendation of laptops,graphic cards and lil bit hard ware problems too.pls tell what should i become when i grow up?
dad says bieng an engineer will give v.v.v.less pay.
i plan to pass iit.
what say?

by d way i modded my case and it looks awsome without any help.contact if u also want to do so

[krates]

it's nothing special about running a blog @ 14 i have made many websites before that age even...

but the thing is i know how you feels.. when you tell your friends that you have a website it feels good really good...

i am right now 16...

i suggest you to do freelancing.... you can earn a lot... later after 12th choose some good subject and get into google or microsoft job.......

[MetalheadGautham]

True. When I was 15 and used Linux, people were like WTH IS THAT ?
When I turned 17, people were like ZOMG! you use LINUX ?
My cousin is 24 and when he was in collage at 20, people were like ZOMG! you never used LINUX ?

Its just because at school, people of similar interests are hard to find. But as you move up in the educational ladder, you will end up narrowing down your choice of courses to those things that interest you and your peerage found there would also be similar.

Not many people are interested in Blogging, remember that. But that does not mean that its an extraordinary thing to blog at a young age, just as its not extraordinary for a 12-year old to read the news paper.

Besides, we must accept that generations mature faster with time.

[milano]

Why not, when Ankit Fadia can become a world famous Hacker by writing a book using copy-pasted(see ankitfadia.org) materials from Internet, then why can't you?

However my suggestion is to focus on your studies, Your technical skills will not fetch you a job if your Academic records are not good while your Academic records will fetch you a job when you are noob of Hacking.

Your minimum targets should be:-
Over 80% in Class X th.
Over 80% in Class XII th.
Over 80% in BCA/BSc(IT).
Over 75% in MCA.

If you can achieve these targets then do whatever you want apart from Academic Studies.

[max_demon]

i am also 16 and i kinda loosing intrest in computers , i am more intrested in creativity and photography nowdays . i was like u when i was 15 . my internet connection is rarely working . so i am keeping out of it ,

also homebrewing and Wireless Cracking has becoming my intrest

[m-jeri]

@OP...

what u feel is natural kid.... dont let it go into you head.... and running ur blog..its nice.....

i started one when i was in 11th... was so into it for a year had abt 50k hits..then the phase passed....

Dont make any goals that you feel you cannot achieve...its imp.. just make a realistic approach to things... you can achieve what u dream.... ... i know... coz if u just keep dreaming may be you feel like you cant get to do stuff...

Your 14...so lot of time to get all you want...

all the best

[achutes]

Its gr8 top see a 14yr old Kid having sound knowledge of computer tricks
I think u should go for computer security as tht more paying job. As there r system security & network security ,
Then have sound knowledge on Windows & Linux Administration(as windows is restricted to personal use only rather than in cooperate world.). Pursue ur Bachelors degree in Computer Engg. & if ur interested & if possible u can pursue Mater's degree in IIIT-Allahabad where they provide mater's course in Cyber law & information security. You can have a look at the web link : http://msclis.iiita.ac.in/33/admissions.html . See if you want to earn bog bucks in a good comp., try to have a best & higher degree along with a sound knowledge. Having a higher degree will help u to grow fast. I hope this would be helpful to u....

Thanks . :-P

dipesh8thgrade - hey ppl im also 14 and now consideribly a lot abt entertainment comp hardware<cpus,gpus,thier architecture,motherboard support,ram standrd>mostly consumer things.like u can ask me configs for a new pc in a fixed rate,recommendation of laptops,graphic cards and lil bit hard ware problems too.pls tell what should i become when i grow up?
dad says bieng an engineer will give v.v.v.less pay.
i plan to pass iit.
what say?

I think you should do comp engineering.

krates - when you tell your friends that you have a website it feels good really good...

Yep.

i suggest you to do freelancing....

I will be looking forward for it.

MetalheadGautham - was 15 and used Linux, people were like WTH IS THAT ?
When I turned 17, people were like ZOMG! you use LINUX ?
My cousin is 24 and when he was in collage at 20, people were like ZOMG! you never used LINUX ?

Its just because at school, people of similar interests are hard to find. But as you move up in the educational ladder, you will end up narrowing down your choice of courses to those things that interest you and your peerage found there would also be similar.

absolutely true.

milano -
However my suggestion is to focus on your studies, Your technical skills will not fetch you a job if your Academic records are not good while your Academic records will fetch you a job when you are noob of Hacking.

Your minimum targets should be:-
Over 80% in Class X th.
Over 80% in Class XII th.
Over 80% in BCA/BSc(IT).
Over 75% in MCA.

Thanks for the targets .

m-jeri - Dont make any goals that you feel you cannot achieve...its imp.. just make a realistic approach to things... you can achieve what u dream.... ... i know... coz if u just keep dreaming may be you feel like you cant get to do stuff...

Your 14...so lot of time to get all you want...

all the best

max_demon -
i am also 16 and i kinda loosing intrest in computers , i am more intrested in creativity and photography nowdays . i was like u when i was 15 . my internet connection is rarely working . so i am keeping out of it ,
also homebrewing and Wireless Cracking has becoming my intrest

i have found a person just like me. with the same internet problem

[Phantom Lancer]

Well i am currently doing my Third year Engineering in IT and so i dare say i am in a very good position to comment on this topic ......

Firstly i would like to pick out some of the posts here with very good advice that is 100% accurate

Post # 3
BSODs advice about getting used to Linux's Command Line interface is a very good one ... 'Practice makes perfect' and there is no better way to practice your programming skills [Especially for the case sensitive kinds]

But i would like to point out that there are in fact some colleges where you can study Computer security related stuff ..... You can approach them in 2 ways

->Do your computer enggineering [BE or BTech].... its the basic for many professions in the field of computers ...
->A better way would be to think about pursuing a BS degree in computer science [US] , specialising in Computer security [hopefully in a prestigious Univ like stanford].....
The second method applies to you even if you self study in this area


Post #4
Great advice , i have nothing more to say rather i will highlight the last paragraph about getting your mathematics right ...... Start practicing your Math aptitude right from now .... [its fun and really basic]
Doing well in your Math aptitude will serve your interests in the future , whether its writing your 12th Enterence Exams or applying for Oversees courses [BS] or a job at any company or if you plan to pursue your MBA [GMAT , CAT ,MAT , XAT etc etc ]

Post #14
point highlighted in Blue ... very good one

One more think i would like to point out
In the computer Industry its
"Age no bar ..... Knowledge is power"
i have a friend who works in a company as a project manager ....... One of his sub-ordinate employee's experience in the industry is more than that of my Friend's age


Keep yourself motivated ...its very common to find ace programmers who have got bored with the industry and moved on to pursue MBA and completely change fields [Finance , Human resource etc] .... Bcuz it provides a better salary [Twice or thrice over] and ppl are really attracted to the Lifestyle associated with it .....

[achutes]

Phantom Lancer - i would like to point out that there are in fact some colleges where you can study Computer security related stuff ..... You can approach them in 2 ways

->Do your computer enggineering [BE or BTech].... its the basic for many professions in the field of computers ...
->A better way would be to think about pursuing a BS degree in computer science [US] , specialising in Computer security [hopefully in a prestigious Univ like stanford].....
The second method applies to you even if you self study in this area

Thanks i will be gathering info for bs and be and b tech. DO you know any difference in between them? Thank in advance .

And will be practising maths from now . And thanks again . for the informations .

[Ramja saroj]

plz Dont mine this is only for test

[Phantom Lancer]

Originally Posted by achutes

Thanks i will be gathering info for bs and be and b tech. DO you know any difference in between them? Thank in advance .

And will be practising maths from now . And thanks again . for the information .

Bachelor Of Science [BS] is the American Equivalent of India's Bachelor of Engineering [BE] .... both of them are four year Engineering courses ......
The difference between B.S and B.E is the fact that in B.E most of the subjects you study will be general which covers a wide field ...... While in B.S you will be asked to choose specialist subjects much earlier ......

B.Technology is very similar to B.E .... it too is a 4 year Engineering course ...... You can do B.Tech in Information technology , Fashion technology , textile technology etc etc

For example when you consider the syllabus in my University .... 90% of the subjects in B.E Computer science and B.Tech Information technology is similar ......


PS : Dont confuse American B.S with India's B.Sc [also Bachelor of Science , But its not an Engineering stream]

[achutes]

B.Technology is very similar to B.E .... it too is a 4 year Engineering course ...... You can do B.Tech in Information technology , Fashion technology , textile technology etc etc

For example when you consider the syllabus in my University .... 90% of the subjects in B.E Computer science and B.Tech Information technology is similar ......

Thanks, does Thant mean i can persue b.tech in india rather than B.E in usa. I don't want to leave my country .

[MetalheadGautham]

Yes you can. A huge majority of subjects are available in ALL major countries.

And BE and B.Tech are the exact same things, and BE Computer Science and B.Tech Computer Science will have same syllabus. But B.Tech is not available in all universities and is present only in "cool" places like IIT, NIT, etc so it sounds cooler than BE to many people

[achutes]

Thanks MetalheadGautham . I will take b.tech.

[Phantom Lancer]

As you have earlier in your post shown interest in Network security , B.Tech is a good very good decision ......

I myself am planning to pursue my 4th year project in the 'Cryptography and Network security' field

[achutes]

thanks i will take b.tech

I myself am planning to pursue my 4th year project in the 'Cryptography and Network security' field

what do we (you) realy have to do.

[Phantom Lancer]

Well if you are talking about Cryptography and Network security ...

- Good knowledge about the basic subjects for that particular field is required
[Maths (I warned you ) , Computer Networks , Cryptography , Socket programming etc etc ] which you will study in your first 3 years in college

- Next i need to read up on some IEEE papers published periodically .... These papers generally contain Technical information about recent discoveries in the field along with information about the discoverers .... This is the challenging part as some of them are quiet (Technically) complicated and difficult to understand .

- After going thru these papers i can

-> Try and discover something new
or
-> Try and solve some known problems

Basically i ll be working in a 2 or 3 man team ..... and will be provided with a guide ( A professor who is experienced in that area)


PS : i ll try to make an intro thread on basic cryptographic techniques .... it ll def kindle your interest in that subject i believe .... and its very simple (the basics,i mean)

[dheeraj_kumar]

Hey phantom, which college are you in? I'm working on a firewall at the moment, for my 4th year project, now at the third year of B.E CSE. PM me your yahoo/google/msn id.

[achutes]

PS : i ll try to make an intro thread on basic cryptographic techniques .... it ll def kindle your interest in that subject i believe .... and its very simple (the basics,i mean)

Please do make that introduction. It is better to know .. then .. not to know..

[Phantom Lancer]

Originally Posted by dheeraj_kumar

Hey phantom, which college are you in? I'm working on a firewall at the moment, for my 4th year project, now at the third year of B.E CSE. PM me your yahoo/google/msn id.

Oh , thats nice .... i have nt started my project yet ......

i and some of my friends started doing a project in a different field ... speech recognition software used to control a wheelchair .... We even managed to go as far as making the Algorithm
... but our luck ran out .... A team from the 4 th year managed to complete it before us and theirs was more polished than ours ......... so aborted it half-way ......