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cracker


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DEFINITION - A cracker is someone who breaks into someone else's computer system, often on a network; bypasses passwords or licenses in computer programs; or in other ways intentionally breaches computer security. A cracker can be doing this for profit, maliciously, for some altruistic purpose or cause, or because the challenge is there. Some breaking-and-entering has been done ostensibly to point out weaknesses in a site's security system.

The term "cracker" is not to be confused with "hacker". Hackers generally deplore cracking. However, as Eric Raymond, compiler of The New Hacker's Dictionary notes, some journalists ascribe break-ins to "hackers."

A classic story of the tracking down of a cracker on the Internet who was breaking into U.S. military and other computers is told in Clifford Stoll's The Cuckoo's Egg.

Learn more about Password Management and Policy
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Endpoint security protection: Policies for endpoint control: Guest instructor Ben Rothke, provides tactics for endpoint security, policies for controlling endpoints and insight as to where endpoint security technology is headed.
How to break into a computer that is right at your fingertips: Stressing the importance of physical security, Joel Dubin explains how a hacker can bypass a BIOS password and break into a computer.
Spy vs. Spy: Excerpt from Chapter 6 of Spies Among Us: How to Stop the Spies, Terrorists, Hackers, and Criminals You Don't Even Know You Encounter Every Day.
SAP Security Learning Guide: This guide pulls SAP security information from both SearchSecurity.com and its sister site, SearchSAP.com, to provide the most comprehensive resource around for all aspects of making your SAP system ...

CONTRIBUTORS: Hans Sjoholm
LAST UPDATED: 04 Jun 2007

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