Welcome to our community at Libera ##hackers.

Our community includes the following channels

##hackers on Libera.chat
Hackers on matrix.org
Hackers (encrypted) on matrix.org
Malware on matrix org
##hackers on Freenode.net (we are moving away from Freenode,please join the libera channel instead)

TL;DR - we try to be nice and we're the opposite of a "RTFM" channel/community.

We aim to provide a "newbie-friendly" atmosphere for all people interested in hacking and IT. There are many "hacker" and "security professional" communities on the internet. Our goal with ##hackers is not to displace any of them, but to provide what's missing -- an informal community for people who wish to learn any and all things IT and security related, where all questions are welcome (even the ones that don't suond very smart), and where we can foster a friendly atmosphere for beginners as well as for those who don't necessarily work with IT security but have to interact with the security community.

Over the years we've witnessed many people with great IT and security potential, giving up on their pursuit due to false perceptions of IT and the security community, lack of resources, help and encouragement in their pursuit, and emotional burnout. At ##hackers, we aim to combat that.

Channel Rules

Be polite: incivility or disrespect towards others will not be tolerated. (Really, this means you! No exceptions)
Ask anything (use your best judgement), but don't demand an answer.
Don't ask anyone in the room to hack anyone or anything for you: not for free; not for money; not for services
Abide by the Matrix.org Code of Conduct
Abide by the rules of Libera: https://libera.chat/policies
We believe in a free exchange of ideas: if you don't know then ask!
Hackers is a technical channel not a social channel. Socializing, while encouraged, must be on-topic for the most part, especially when any technical matter is brought up.
Off-topic is allowed as long as you're following the channel rules.
Do NOT feed trolls. Troll feeders are indiscernible from trolls themselves from an ops perspective. Ops are an exemption since they will take responsibility for kicking trolls.
Do not under any circumstance insult or attack someone for a question they asked regardless how silly it may be.
NO soliciting for commercial/for-profit purposes.
If a person asks a question you don't like, rather than answer with a passive-aggressive question or answer, it is better to not answer at all. You have the right to ignore them! You might meet someone smarter or dumber than you, but treat everyone with respect. If you don't have something nice to say, then don't say anything at all. Don't feed trolls. Inform the ops or talk to the person in PM if you must. A single person's behavior can adversely affect the atmosphere of the entire channel. Please help us maintain a good atmosphere!
Rule #9 does not apply to off topic discussion, only to technical topics.
List of topics not allowed under any circumstance:

Politics

Personal sexuality / topics of a sexual nature

Porn (any kind) / NSFW

hackers is a moderated channel. The list above means we are neither prepared nor willing to moderate these topics. With the choice of blacklisting the above or a complete ban on all off-topic discussion, we have chosen the former.