Editing Mesh (section)

== Hackers ==
Whether individuals who are genuinely interested in exploring new technologies and seeking ways to break them in order to make them better, hacktivists who utilize the mesh in order to undermine the power of authorities, or “black hats” who seek to circumvent network security for malicious or criminal intent, hackers are a permanent fixture of the mesh. Unauthorized network break-ins, infiltration of VPNs, muse subversion, cyberbrain hijacking, data theft, cyber-extortion, identity fraud, denial of service attacks, electronic warfare, spime hijacking, entoptic vandalism—these are all common occurrences on the mesh. Thanks to smart and adaptive exploit programs and assisting muses, even a moderately skilled hacker can be a threat.
In order to counter hacking attempts, most people, devices, and networks are protected by a mix of access control routines, automated software intrusion prevention systems, encryption, and layered firewalls, typically overseen by the user’s muse who plays the role of active defender. Extremely sensitive systems—such as space traffic control, life support, power systems, and hypercorporate research facilities—are usually limited to isolated, tightly-controlled, heavily-monitored, hard-wired networks to minimize the risk of intrusion from snoopers and saboteurs. Various countermeasures may be applied against such intruders, ranging from locking them out of the system to tracking them back and counterhacking.