Hacker
1. A term that first started being used in the 1960s and was used to describe a programmer or someone who hacked out computer code, later the term evolved to an individual who had an advanced understanding of computers, networking, programming, or hardware but did not have any malicious intents.
Today, a hacker is often associated with an individual who illegally breaks into other computer systems to damage or steal information. Some users today who consider themselves leet may refer to themselves as haxors or h4x0rs. However, often these users are nothing more than script kiddies.
Although the media and most people think of hackers as malicious or evil, the majority of hackers are people who are curious about how computer, networks, or programs work and are often exploring and learning.
2. In computer online gaming a hacker is a term often associated with a gamer who is cheating.
- How do I become a hacker?
- How can I hack someone or something?
- How can I protect myself while online?
- Computer Hope stance on hackers and related topics.
Also see: Black hat, Cheat, Computer crime, Cracker, Ethical hacking, Game definitions, Hack, Hacker Manifesto, Honey pot, Intruder, Phishing, Phreak, Script kiddies, Security definitions, White hat