At what point did you become a 'hacker'?

[50]

It seems to me, that hacking activities tend to evolve from a certain mindset. It may be sparked by a curiosity in how things work, how things can be modified to work better . . . It also seems that people are getting involved in hacking activities from a pretty young age. This makes sense given who in today's world we are seeing devices in the hands of pretty young kids. The fascination with technology starts very early.

How old were you when you first became really interested in computers? What do you think led you to start hacking?

[189]

Nice try FBI, honeypot.

[50]

Nice try FBI, honeypot.

Discussion forum does not equal honeypot. I am a researcher.

[410]

Nice try FBI, honeypot.

Discussion forum does not equal honeypot. I am a researcher.

Most people who post this kind of question like to say "researcher" haha but anyway
To answer the title, I don't think you can call yourself a "hacker"
And as for me, nothing really pushed me to hack anything, I had some time, and it kind of came to me, so I'd say it was simply curiosity ;)

And researcher in what ?
And as a hobby or as a professional ?

Nothing actually.

[50]

Nice try FBI, honeypot.

Discussion forum does not equal honeypot. I am a researcher.

Most people who post this kind of question like to say "researcher" haha but anyway
To answer the title, I don't think you can call yourself a "hacker"
And as for me, nothing really pushed me to hack anything, I had some time, and it kind of came to me, so I'd say it was simply curiosity ;)

And researcher in what ?
And as a hobby or as a professional ?

I am currently doing my PhD in cyberpsychology. So I am an academic researcher. Thanks for your reply. I think curiosity is a driving force between people's interest in computers and what they can do. This feature of personality mixed with other contextual factors are likely influencing why some young people get involved in hacking.