Patrick [ASE]
Administrator
Posts: 94
Website: http://safetynet.proboards.com
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Post by Patrick [ASE] on Aug 30, 2004 13:19:42 GMT
I asked Peter for this one, and he didn't want credit for it, but i decided it would be best, otherwise i would be spammed with people saying i nicked it.
So thanks to Peter (SSD)
EDIT: Just to metion that Peter didn't write this, here is his explanation
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Patrick [ASE]
Administrator
Posts: 94
Website: http://safetynet.proboards.com
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Post by Patrick [ASE] on Aug 30, 2004 13:20:24 GMT
Hackers and crackers........
a.k.a. a hacker -or- hacking
A computer enthusiast who enjoys learning everything about a computer system and, through clever programming, pushes the system to its highest possible level of performance. Often confused with crackers, these hobbyists are skilled programmers with the reputation of having a mischievous bent for breaking into secured systems. In one sense, a hacker is a person who enjoys programming rather than just theorizing about it. In another sense, the term "hacker" tends to connote membership within a global community defined by computer networks; it implies that the person subscribes to some version of the hacker ethic. Hacking has been going on since computers were invented, and sometimes there have been extremely damaging consequences. A variety of old-time hackers have now "gone commercial" and taken hacking to the business level (they are now referred to as "ethical hackers").
For example, they use their hacking skills to develop penetration tools, and then they go out and analyze a customer's networks for security vulnerabilities, in order to report the findings back to the customer. Hacker wannabes take note: It is better to be described as a hacker by others than to describe oneself that way. Most hackers consider themselves something of an elite (a meritocracy based on ability), although new members are said to be gladly welcome.
Cracker
hacker jargon used to describe one who breaks security on a system. This term was coined circa 1985 by hackers in defense against journalistic misuse of the word "hacker." While it is expected that hackers will have done some playful cracking, most outgrow the desire to break security (except perhaps to get some work done). Crackers tend to gather in small, secretive groups that have little overlap with hacker culture. They like to describe themselves as hackers (but hackers consider them lame). A cracker is also one who can crack a software program.
Peter
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