Is hacking getting under control?

Hacking is not getting under control; instead, it is a persistent and growing problem. Historically, early hacking was often driven by curiosity and a desire to explore systems, as seen in the phone phreaking era described in sources like Phone phreaking: the telecommunications underground. However, hacking has evolved considerably, transitioning from a hobby to a significant criminal enterprise.

The reasons it is not under control include:

1. Growing Threat and Sophistication: Cybercrime continues to be a real and growing threat, as reported by the BBC in Cybercrime threat “real and growing”. Attacks are becoming more sophisticated, targeting individuals, corporations, and critical infrastructure, as detailed in texts like Guide to Computer Network Security by Joseph Migga Kizza.
2. Financial and Political Motivation: The primary motivation for hacking has shifted significantly from exploration to financial gain, industrial espionage, and even political objectives (hacktivism or cyberterrorism, discussed by Denning in Activism, Hacktivism, and Cyberterrorism). The potential for large financial rewards drives continuous innovation in attack methods.
3. Global Reach and Anonymity: The internet's global nature makes it challenging to attribute attacks and prosecute perpetrators, many of whom operate across borders. The anonymity offered by the internet further complicates law enforcement efforts, as noted in various FBI reports, such as the FBI Congressional Report on Cybercrime by Louis J. Freeh.
4. Constant Evolution of Techniques: There is a continuous 'cat and mouse' game between attackers developing new vulnerabilities and defenders patching them. New attack vectors emerge regularly, exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities or social engineering techniques, which requires constant vigilance and adaptation by security professionals.

Overall, while security measures improve, the threat landscape expands, making it difficult to claim that hacking is under control.