Difference between revisions of "Hacker"
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
m (wikify) |
m (wikify) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | A '''hacker''' can be defined as | + | A '''hacker''' can be defined as a person who solves problems in clever ways, especially regarding [[computer]] [[programming]] and [[hardware]] [[engineering]].<ref>http://www.catb.org/jargon/html/meaning-of-hack.html</ref> The term is often used to denote "security cracker", since hackers most frequently appear in the news involving computer [[security breach]]es. |
'''Hacking''' may refer to a number of activities, including: | '''Hacking''' may refer to a number of activities, including: | ||
| − | * "Digital lock-picking", or breaking into computer systems; this is also called "cracking", and is the most well known form of hacking | + | * "Digital lock-picking", or (illegally) breaking into computer systems; this is also called "cracking", and is the most well known form of hacking |
* Modifying software or hardware for extra functionality or performance | * Modifying software or hardware for extra functionality or performance | ||
* Creating software or devices to solve problems | * Creating software or devices to solve problems | ||
| Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
* Staging pranks | * Staging pranks | ||
| − | Hackers act for a variety of reasons, ranging from curiosity and bragging rights to personal gain or vandalism. Hackers who act without malicious intent are termed "white hat hackers", and may act to counter the effects of criminal "black hat hackers". | + | Hackers act for a variety of reasons, ranging from curiosity and bragging rights to personal gain or [[vandalism]]. Hackers who act without malicious intent are termed "white hat hackers", and may act to counter the effects of criminal "black hat hackers". |
| − | + | ''Hackers'' is also the title of a 1995 film.<ref>http://imdb.com/title/tt0113243/</ref> | |
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| Line 19: | Line 19: | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
| − | [[category: | + | [[category:Computer Science]] |
Revision as of 20:59, October 19, 2008
A hacker can be defined as a person who solves problems in clever ways, especially regarding computer programming and hardware engineering.[1] The term is often used to denote "security cracker", since hackers most frequently appear in the news involving computer security breaches.
Hacking may refer to a number of activities, including:
- "Digital lock-picking", or (illegally) breaking into computer systems; this is also called "cracking", and is the most well known form of hacking
- Modifying software or hardware for extra functionality or performance
- Creating software or devices to solve problems
- Using an existing computer system in an unusual, clever way to solve a problem
- Staging pranks
Hackers act for a variety of reasons, ranging from curiosity and bragging rights to personal gain or vandalism. Hackers who act without malicious intent are termed "white hat hackers", and may act to counter the effects of criminal "black hat hackers".
Hackers is also the title of a 1995 film.[2]