hacker

1) Eric Raymond, compiler of The New Hacker's Dictionary, defines a hacker as a clever programmer. A "good hack" is a clever solution to a programming problem and "hacking" is the act of doing it. Raymond lists five possible characteristics that qualify one as a hacker, which we paraphrase here:

• A person who enjoys learning details of a programming language or system
• A person who enjoys actually doing the programming rather than just theorizing about it
• A person capable of appreciating someone else's hacking
• A person who picks up programming quickly
• A person who is an expert at a particular programming language or system, as in "Unix hacker"

2) The term hacker is used in popular media to describe someone who attempts to break into computer systems. Typically, this kind of hacker would be a proficient programmer or engineer with sufficient technical knowledge to understand the weak points in a security system. For more on this usage, see cracker.

Read more about hacker: - SearchStorage.com is a storage-specific portal with information about security issues.

Do you have something to add to this definition? Let us know. Send your comments to techterms@whatis.com

BROWSE BY TAG Hacker Tools and Techniques: Underground Sites and Hacking Groups,   Information Security Threats,   VIEW ALL TAGS

Digg This!     StumbleUpon     Del.icio.us

RELATED CONTENT Juniper pulls ATM hacking presentation from Black Hat Researcher planned to demonstrate a hacking technique targeting the underlying software of a new ATM. Botnet platform helps cybercriminals bid for zombie PCs Infected PCs are sold again and again on a new platform that enables cybercriminals to buy and sell victim's machines. Man pleads guilty in online banking hacking scam Defendant schemed with others to steal money from online bank accounts using credentials stolen with malware.

RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary black hat  (SearchSecurity.com) cracker  (SearchSecurity.com)