This paper is on computer hacking - a crime of today's world. Computer hacking and the crimes that define this type of criminal, make hacking difficult to define. According to Carter (2002), "Computer hacking always involves some degree of infringement on the privacy of others or damage to computer-based property such as files, web pages or software." Computer hacking can range from the placing of pornographic pictures on a website to cracking a code that puts the security of millions of Americans at risk. Sometimes it involves stolen identities; other times it's just the ripping off of DVD movies and other media. Hackers themselves also come in as many forms as their crimes do. Hackers are the criminals of today's technological world. This paper will attempt to illustrate just what a hacker is, what this criminal does, and how the laws need to become steeper in order to stop these types of computer crimes for causing the damage they do.