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Showerthoughts_Mod t1_j6fdar4 wrote

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Mental_Painting_ t1_j6fdmn0 wrote

Well, I guess they prefer to use a keyboard instead to type in those wickedly long codes and commands. Or maybe it's just for the dramatic effect!

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Usually_mistaken t1_j6ff4k3 wrote

I'll admit I don't k ow shit about real hacking, but that seems reasonable almost. I think Most real hacking just involves going through lines and lines of code looking for weaknesses which can usually be done witha keyboard.

You'd probably need a mouse at some point but a keyboard would suit you most of the time

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shaqrock t1_j6fg7i5 wrote

Does anyone remember being taught in school to use a computer without a mouse? Or was that just me. This was back in like 2001

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ThatGuyGetsIt t1_j6fn58y wrote

Anyone who cares about speed won't really use a mouse unless it's the only option to do something. Mice are slow. Keyboard shortcuts are fast.

If you want a real-world example, I bet there are YouTube videos of blind people using a computer with only their keyboard and a screen reader. That'll probably give you a sense of what's possible with only a keyboard without silly movie hacker shit.

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DoppelFrog t1_j6g2grh wrote

How do you think the programming was done for the first mouse?

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ManchurianPandaDate t1_j6g3auf wrote

That would be dumb. Why would they use a mouse instead of a computer ? Duhhhhhhh

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Groogity t1_j6ge33l wrote

As I’m sure most people understand, hacking in movies/TV shows is rarely accurate. However, in real life you most definitely would use a mouse although many commands and shortcuts can be and are generally executed using a keyboard. The more technical side of “hacking” is mostly done within a terminal. Most professionals that work in relevant tech fields you will find use their mouse much less then your average user.

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Unkindlake t1_j6gol3y wrote

I want a real hacker to record themselves actually hacking even though it will probably be boring as fuck

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Scuka1 t1_j6gvhj9 wrote

Hacking in movies is usually portrayed terribly, but not using a mouse actually somewhat accurate.

Many beginner programming courses will start by teaching you how to use the console to navigate Windows as a basic skill that helps your programming efficiency.

Once you get used to the console, and also learn the relevant keyboard shortcuts, certain things can be much faster than using a mouse, especially considering the fact that you're typing code and both your hands are on the keyboard anyway so you might just as well leave them there for other tasks instead of switching your right hand back and forth.

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Aganihm1 t1_j6h2qsu wrote

Not using the mouse is something I can relate to, the skill that allows a hacker to never have to use the space bar is something I have not been able to master though.

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ammonium_bot t1_j6h38vf wrote

Replying to Groogity (#1,601,436)

> much less then your

Did you mean to say "less than"?
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Total mistakes found: 1232
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SchrodingerMil t1_j6h4ptl wrote

As a lot of others have said while movie hacking is inaccurate, in the real world mice are inefficient. I don’t do a TON of it, but even in my limited time using Excel I don’t touch my mouse.

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nslenders t1_j6h4q1d wrote

Replying to Unkindlake (#1,603,535)

Phonecall: Hello Jessica, this is John from IT. There seems to be a problem with your computer making it run slower than it should. I'm going to send u a link to reset your password, that should fix it on the backend.

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the_colonelclink t1_j6h5a07 wrote

Replying to ThatGuyGetsIt (#1,595,829)

Bingo. Before there was beautiful Graphical User Interfaces there was completely text-based operating systems. Most, if not all of the shortcuts used back in the day still remain. It is much, much quicker to use shortcuts and run commands then the time it takes to use a mouse to point and click on something. For e.g. you could click the address bar, typed your website, then click go. Or in the browser you can press Alt+D, type your website, then hit enter or shift enter (browser dependent), and your hand doesn’t even need to touch the mouse.

Not to mention, a lot of hacking is done on Linux-based operating systems. Which once again, don’t have much of a focus on a GUI.

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theDudeWhoPosts t1_j6h7ac4 wrote

Replying to Yasutsuna96 (#1,604,467)

I worked in a small space and wasn't a fan of the trackpad. Then I discovered the trackball mouse. It saves space by the fact you don't move the mouse around, but rather you use your thumb to move the trackball around. It was weird at first, but now it feels natural and I prefer it over a regular mouse.

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Bedlemkrd t1_j6h7yja wrote

Using Linux is mostly command line but in real life every 5 key strokes should be the sound of them slamming the tab key to auto complete.

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SilveredUndead t1_j6hez29 wrote

Replying to Scuka1 (#1,604,903)

I work in finance, I know basically nothing about programming. 90% of my work is currently in SAP, Excel or Outlook, and I barely touch my mouse. Considering most "super elite hackers" in movies are supposed to be the absolute top of their field, I'd be very disappointed if they did use a mouse, honestly.

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johnsgrove t1_j6hgd60 wrote

I never use a computer mouse. Too slow. Does this mean I’m a hacker?

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genzo1 t1_j6hm53w wrote

My old dos box I played doom 2 on in early 2000s didn't even have a mouse or speakers.

1

Superspudmonkey t1_j6hmleq wrote

Do we all remember that NCIS episode where two people were typing on the same keyboard at the same time?

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_monsieurnieht t1_j6hoe2z wrote

I see that all of you are commenting about how fast you are without mouse. Well, I guess that you are either at god level or just programmer wannabe because during my 5 years working as a programmer, I don’t think I can do anything withkeyboard as fast as just using a mouse. Shortcuts sure are the fastest, but try select 500 lines of code without a mouse, I can do it in 2 seconds and then write this comment while you are scrolling with upper arrow. Idk, prove me wrong.

Edit: Also, if you’re unlucky, your program doesn’t allow tab to select, the tab indexes are a mess, and there isn’t shortcut for everything, good luck Alt your way to the menu.

Edit 2: This thread remind me of Linux superiors, lol, because it’s free doesn’t mean it’s better.

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El_Bradbury t1_j6hog43 wrote

But why would they need mouse, really? They know all the linux commands and bash the command line 300 cps :)

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martinborgen t1_j6hqeou wrote

Terminal is fast, as many pointed out already.

Also, terminal is the most basic user interface. No one will make a graphic user interface with icons and labeled buttons for some obscure setting that tha hacker will use as a backdoor.

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_b1ack0ut t1_j6hs98q wrote

Of all the things to rag on Hollywood hacking for, this ain’t it. If you know your way around terminal, a mouse will only slow you down

Go talk about cybernukes or 2 techs one keyboard lol

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chocki305 t1_j6ht97w wrote

This is something I feel is accurate.

I have yet to find a reason to use the mouse when dealing with text in a windows based environment.

If you know the keyboard shortcuts, it takes longer to reach over and grab the mouse thn it does to hit. Alt f x

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_b1ack0ut t1_j6hu5u9 wrote

Replying to _monsieurnieht (#1,610,169)

Here’s a starting tip for scrolling. If you’re using only the arrow keys, you’re probably goofing it. Keep in mind that T scrolls to the top of a document , B will bring you to the bottom, and space bar should move you about one page worth down, using control in conjunction with the arrow keys will jump between the beginning or end of paragraphs, or between them, home and insert will move the cursor around around it’s current line, and when combined with ctl, will do the same with a text box.

If you wanna select a paragraph quickly, just use shift+ctl+ up or down, to just jump up and down selecting (or deselecting) paragraphs at a time.

1

ashrocklynn t1_j6hvu0x wrote

Replying to Scuka1 (#1,604,903)

Still use mouse to grab sections of code and copy them, double click a variable to select it: now then you can do things like jump to its declaration, or object data, or anywhere it's called. Coding uses the mouse plenty, just not constantly

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RanCestor t1_j6hwtx7 wrote

I learned to use blind typing on QWERTY keyboard by playing "Typing of the Dead". Zombies made me do it.

Curiously you could buy this game on PS2 console too, it shipped with USB keyboard.

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abiessu t1_j6i1fnq wrote

Replying to ashrocklynn (#1,611,835)

And all of this can be done at least as quickly with a keyboard (in, e.g., Emacs, vi, etc.), it's only that modern programs have tried to make the mouse more useful for those who insist on using it...

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_b1ack0ut t1_j6i2yov wrote

Replying to _monsieurnieht (#1,612,695)

Ok, so you already know how to do it and choose not to. That’s your choice, but that doesn’t mean it is impossible to perform on keyboard just because you personally prefer it another way.

That’s why multiple forms of input is great anyways, what works for one person might not be great for another, like i personally find I can just enter the keystroke combination or two in the time it would have taken me just to reach for my mouse, not even inputting anything.

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zaqwert6 t1_j6i660v wrote

I know crazy right? When all they had to do was click on the Hack icon right there on the desktop.

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Ruadhan2300 t1_j6i8vp6 wrote

Replying to abiessu (#1,613,131)

Sure. In an obfuscated manner using keyboard shortcuts that relies on you knowing there's even a command, let alone remembering what four buttons you need to press at the same time to make it do it.

Right click, see the list of common tasks, choose the thing you're doing.

Trivial.

I'd rather use a mouse than waste brain-cycles on learning keyboard shortcuts that are unique to the IDE.

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Torewin t1_j6i9isf wrote

When you’re hacking, there’s usually no user interface so a mouse would be useless.

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Joshew90 t1_j6ibih8 wrote

As a high school teacher, “kids these days” don’t know how to type correctly, and just chicken peck on the keyboard.

So I’m a short amount of time I assume movies will start showing hackers pecking at the keyboard also.

Or they’ll just type on their phones.

1

DaitoAnonymous t1_j6id1yr wrote

Hacking in movies also looks nothing like it does in real life. Although, as an ethical hacker myself, I rarely use my mouse. The only thing I actually use the mouse for is opening the terminal

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ashrocklynn t1_j6ifpi9 wrote

Replying to Ruadhan2300 (#1,614,847)

I mean, that and I'm dealing with literally dozens of objects and variables at a time, how the ide know which I meant? Some are named similarly, making getting to the specific one through typing non trivial...

0

ashrocklynn t1_j6ig6p3 wrote

Replying to abiessu (#1,613,131)

I mean, it has its power to where you can do certain things with it faster; you can't discount it as an input mechanism entirely. Now, should people rely on it yes? Absolutely, 100 percent yes. But for quick selection of a specific word or words clumped on a screen at once, mouse can be quite useful...

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crispy1989 t1_j6im132 wrote

Replying to Sunblast1andOnly (#1,614,804)

  • Shell = The "command line". (More specifically, the part of the command-line interface that prompts you for commands, runs commands, and interfaces with the underlying OS.)
  • TUI = Terminal User Interface, a basic text-based interface that typically uses a text terminal as a grid of characters
  • Reverse Shell = A way of getting a terminal/command line on a remote system, especially when that remote system is not directly accessible on the Internet
  • Flimsy Reverse Shell = A reverse shell heavily limited by bandwidth, latency, reliability, or other restrictions. Makes using it a pain.
  • ^C = Abbreviation for Ctrl-C. Usually used to kill the currently running command in a terminal.
  • netcat = A command that is able to connect and receive connections and perform basic data transmission. Can be used to establish a rudimentary reverse shell.

Explanation:

Most work using commands on terminals is very low-bandwidth, so is particularly well-suited to slow or unreliable connections. However, programs that offer a terminal-based UI often use far more bandwidth (and other resources) in sending UI updates over a terminal. Sometimes, an overly aggressive terminal UI can send so many updates over a slow connection that the connection just gets "frozen" waiting for all that data. If one accidentally does this, the usual response is to try to kill the program sending data ASAP to limit the amount of time spent waiting to receive it; typically by smashing Ctrl-C repeatedly until it stops. However, the netcat program itself (unlike proper remote terminal commands like SSH and telnet) will intercept the Ctrl-C and will exit itself; in this example, ending the remote shell.

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Yummucummy t1_j6imkm6 wrote

Here, have some dun pretending to "hack the mainframe" or something.

1

Gemn1002 t1_j6italo wrote

Replying to Scuka1 (#1,604,903)

Second this, half the time my mouse is either not connected (I only use the laptop trackpad if I really need it) or the mouse is connected but shoved out the way.

1

Agitated-Feeling-734 t1_j6iv0mv wrote

Replying to shaqrock (#1,594,519)

What computers? I was the last of grade 12s(matriculants) to do maths using a log book,1985. It was forbidden to use calculators in exams. And typing was for girls only. At the time the Commodore was awesome and would’ve been so great to learn and use in school. And it had no mouse. That was reserved for Apple Macintosh owners

1

_b1ack0ut t1_j6iv2ve wrote

Replying to _monsieurnieht (#1,619,233)

Fair. But again, impossible doesn’t need to be part of the equation. Just efficiency I guess, in the way you find it easier to use a mouse, I find It easier to just press keys that my hands are already on, than move to a new Input, unless I’m already using the mouse, such as while multitasking while also playing games.

I suppose it comes down to if you only know keyboard commands, mouse commands will be easy enough to intuit if you have to use a gui, but if you only know mouse inputs for everything, you’re fucked when the gui is gone.

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Agitated-Feeling-734 t1_j6iwzk5 wrote

Then there are those Command centre Tech geeks in movies with those dreaded vector base single colour neon animations running on a black or transparent background and you rarely see their hands. They must be good with shortcuts cause those animations can’t repeat themselves you know.

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sunnie_d15 t1_j6jgnw3 wrote

You really don't need a mouse. If you're a good hacker you know all you need to do is enter up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A then return.

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SKS_but_Who t1_j6jkvb2 wrote

Mouse just slows you down. When I was in school to be an IT tech, many years ago, instructors would pull your mouse or pull your keyboard and make you solve a problem without it.

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abiessu t1_j6jvg3j wrote

Replying to Ruadhan2300 (#1,614,847)

A similar argument can be made that touch-typing isn't really necessary to get good use out of a computer. This doesn't negate the fact that someone who learns it (and by extension might take the time to learn keyboard combinations) has a good chance of out-performing someone else who hasn't learned one or both in terms of "raw speed to do a task" in text-editing environments.

In "visual logic" or "block" programming, there's obviously no comparison since the mouse is actually required...

But going back to the shower thought that hacker-types in movies don't appear to use the mouse often, this is appropriate because the tools such a person typically uses are much more suited for keyboard-only interaction, even in their programming environments.

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DWright_5 t1_j6kbwe3 wrote

Replying to kennbr (#1,632,204)

It’s just hard to believe there’s such a thing as electric current and a billion other things, on this hunk of rock that’s spinning endlessly in the middle of nowhere.

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kennbr t1_j6kdka8 wrote

Programmers on Reddit talking about programming: I know all the vim and emacs commands

Programmers in real life actually programming: copies and pastes from Stack Overflow

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