INTRODUCTION
Computer hackers are individuals who disrupt the operations of computer systems and software for anarchistic or other reasons. Hacking is an illegal activity, yet hacker activities become public knowledge online in virtual communities. Hackers seek to create a unique identity and compete with each other in their goal to disrupt computer networks but also hide their identities to avoid prosecution. Argued here is that hackers, using virtual community forums, create a private identity by disclosing illegal private activities in a public space in order to assert their identity and gain dominance over other hackers. This paper explores this issue with examples from hacker virtual communities that show how hackers create an environment where identities form and superiority of knowledge is used to dominant others.
