The public perception of "computer hacking" is often tinged with shades of youthful pranksterism, rakish criminality, and even occult magicks. Recently, however, it's taken on a darker hue of international espionage with serious financial, political, and even physical consequences. As a result, there are some off-color misconceptions of what actually goes into "hacking," and what the general public can do to defend themselves against online crime while understanding What's Really Going On.

[Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.]