dumpster diving

dumpster diving
 /dump'.ster di:'.ving/, n.

   1. The practice of sifting refuse from an office or technical
   installation to extract confidential data, especially
   security-compromising information (`dumpster' is an Americanism for
   what is elsewhere called a skip). Back in AT&T's monopoly days, before
   paper shredders became common office equipment, phone phreaks (see
   {phreaking}) used to organize regular dumpster runs against phone
   company plants and offices. Discarded and damaged copies of AT&T
   internal manuals taught them much. The technique is still rumored to
   be a favorite of crackers operating against careless targets.

   2. The practice of raiding the dumpsters behind buildings where
   producers and/or consumers of high-tech equipment are located, with
   the expectation (usually justified) of finding discarded but
   still-valuable equipment to be nursed back to health in some hacker's
   den. Experienced dumpster-divers not infrequently accumulate basements
   full of moldering (but still potentially useful) {cruft}.
    

dumpster diving

   /dump'-ster di:'-ving/ 1. The practice of sifting refuse from
   an office or technical installation to extract confidential
   data, especially security-compromising information ("dumpster"
   is an Americanism for what is elsewhere called a "skip").
   Back in AT&T's monopoly days, before paper shredders became
   common office equipment, phone phreaks (see {phreaking}) used
   to organise regular dumpster runs against phone company plants
   and offices.  Discarded and damaged copies of AT&T internal
   manuals taught them much.  The technique is still rumored to
   be a favourite of crackers operating against careless targets.

   2. The practice of raiding the dumpsters behind buildings
   where producers and/or consumers of high-tech equipment are
   located, with the expectation (usually justified) of finding
   discarded but still-valuable equipment to be nursed back to
   health in some hacker's den.  Experienced dumpster-divers not
   infrequently accumulate basements full of moldering (but still
   potentially useful) {cruft}.

   [{Jargon File}]