What is Hacker?

Hacker

1. A hacker is a term that first started being used in the 1960s and described a programmer or someone who hacked computer code. Later the term evolved into an individual who had an advanced understanding of computers, networking, programming, or hardware, but did not have any malicious intents.

Today, a malicious hacker is usually referred to as a malicious user, black hat, or criminal hacker, which describes any individual who illegally breaks into computer systems to damage or steal information. Some people who consider themselves leet may refer to themselves as a leet haxors, h4x0rs, or HaXXorZ. However, often these users are nothing more than script kiddies.

Why do people hack?

Most computer hackers hack because of curiosity, for the lulz, to bypass restrictions, or to test their computer abilities. Other reasons can include hacking for profit, revenge, and destruction.

Are all hackers bad?

No. Although the media and most people think all hackers are malicious, most hackers are people who are curious about how computers, networks, or programs work and are often exploring and learning. It is only the malicious hackers (black hats) who are bad. White hat hackers are good and essential for today's computer security. Without white hat hackers, all computers would be much more vulnerable to attacks and when attacks did happen be much harder to find the who, when, and why the attack happened.

2. In online gaming, a hacker is a term associated with a gamer who is cheating.

• Computer Hope stance on hackers and related topics.

3. Hackers is a cult favorite movie first released on September 15, 1995, starring Angelina Jolie, Johnny Lee Miller, and Matthew Lillard.