Until very recently you had to have some know-how to crash a kernel. Not anymore. Any fresh-faced newbie can download a kiddie-script, fire off a vulnerability scan and, in no time come up with a nice juicy target list. Along with breathtaking advances in computer technology has come a vast proliferation of easy to use computer hacking programs, freely available on the Internet, and a boon to greenhorn hackers. They use programs called 'exploits', 'tools', or 'attacks' --- with names like Smurf, Teardrop, and John the Ripper.

The Pentagon, traditionally the most assailed hacking target on the Earth, undergoes 80 to 100 attacks every day.

The free tools below can assist in finding your current vulnerabilites and susceptibility to such attacks. You may require at least some limited computer skills, limited of knowledge IP networks and limited knowledge of operating systems to utilize these tools effectively.

Hackers, crackers and Trojan horses: A primer This an article on CNN's web site that explains the basics of hacking and the types of attacks.

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