A Parents Guide to leespeek from Microsoft:
While it has many nicknames, information-age slang is commonly referred to as leetspeek, or leet for short. Leet (a vernacular form of "elite") is a specific type of computer slang where a user replaces regular letters with other keyboard characters to form words phonetically
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It's important to remember that the leetspeek community encourages new forms and awards individual creativity, resulting in a dynamic written language that eludes conformity or consistency. However, there are a few standard terms. The following is a sample of key words that haven't changed fundamentally (although variations occur) since the invention of leetspeek. The first series is of particular concern, as their use could be an indicator that your teenager is involved in the theft of intellectual property, particularly licensed software.
Leet words of concern or indicating possible illegal activity:
| • | "warez" or "w4r3z": Illegally copied software available for download. |
| • | "h4x": Read as "hacks," or what a computer hacker does. |
| • | "pr0n": An anagram of "porn," possibly indicating the use of pornography. |
| • | "sploitz" (short for exploits): Vulnerabilities in computer software used by hackers. |
| • | "pwn": A typo-deliberate version of own, a slang term used to express superiority over others that can be used maliciously, depending on the situation. This could also be spelled "0\/\/n3d" or "pwn3d," among other variations. Online video game bullies or "griefers" often use this term. |
