Cracker vs Hacker

Computer cracker

A computer cracker is an outdated term to describe someone who broke into computer systems, bypassed passwords or licenses in computer programs, or intentionally breached computer security. Computer crackers were motivated by malicious intent, for-profit, or just because the challenge was there.

Cracker vs Hacker

The antiquated phrase computer cracker is not used anymore. It was originally proposed as an antonym, or the opposite, of the term hacker. Hackers initially applied to only those who used their computing skills without malicious intent -- they broke into systems to identify or solve technical issues. Skillful technologists with altruistic motives were called hackers; those with bad intent were called computer crackers. This distinction never gained much traction, however.

In 1993, the Internet Users' Glossary defined a hacker as "a person who delights in having an intimate understanding of the internal workings of a system, computers and computer networks in particular. The term is often misused in a pejorative context, where 'cracker' would be the correct term." The Glossary defined a computer cracker as "an individual who attempts to access computer systems without authorization. These individuals are often malicious, as opposed to hackers, and have many means at their disposal for breaking into a system."

The term computer cracker was subsequently subsumed by the term black hat, another outdated term for the threat actor. It should be noted, however, that people today rarely distinguish between ethical hackers and malicious hackers. Although hackers, by definition, do not have malicious intent, some people assume malicious intent when the word is used in an everyday context.

Types of computer crackers

A computer cracker has also referred to users who break into copyrighted software or devices. Jailbreaking is a common example of cracking. Jailbreaking removes restrictions a manufacturer sets in the phone's software. By bypassing the restrictions, the user can perform more advanced functions on the phone or use it on a different network.