The Hacker aesthetic is based around computer hacking, a term for utilizing computers through non-standard means, and the corresponding subculture of Hacker culture built around it. Hacker culture abides by a philosophy known as "Hacker ethic", based around the idea of freedom of information. Hacker aesthetic is closely related to Webcore , with hackers idealizing the freedom of the old internet and rejecting the corporatization of it.

The term "Hacker" originated in the 1960s in technology academia. Hacker culture developed parallel at campuses such as the the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Carnegie Mellon University. With the invention of the internet, hacker culture was able to become much more widespread as computer hobbyists could meet online from across the country. Hacker culture can be considered to be the first internet aesthetic.

Computer setups often in dimly lit rooms, filled with electronics such as keyboards, monitors, CDs. An example is Neo's apartment from The Matrix . Elements of Glitch Art are often seen.

Green terminal screens filled with falling computer code (referred to as "Digital Rain") originated from The Matrix and have become a popular visual of the aesthetic.

The anonymous mask is a symbol of anonymity and resistance commonly associated with hackers and the loose hacker collective labeled Anonymous. It originated from the Guy Fawkes mask from the graphic novel and movie V for Vendetta . The mask soared in popularity as it was handed out in a marketing stunt for the movie , and then became a symbol for Anonymous after its members decided to adopt the mask for a protest against the Church of Scientology called "Project Chanology".

More information: Wikipedia:ASCII Art

Art created using ASCII characters and symbols, similar to the way words are written in Leetspeak. There are many techniques and styles of ASCII art. Crackers are known for using ASCII art logos in the nfo files of their releases.