Hackers? Crackers? There are so many various buzzwords floating around these days. Many of these ’buzzwords’ have been in use for many years, however, the meaning has been lost or corrupted throughout the years.
What is a hacker? The media quite frequently associates hackers or hacking with illegal activities, fraud, and various other modalities that in some way involve computers but in essence are not truly hacking.
What is a cracker? Well, this is a fun one. Cracking used to be the subversion of the copy protection used with software. At one point, this was generally done to legitimately purchased software due to annoying copy protection systems implemented (making the software largely less functional), or to explore the way the software worked. (Or maybe not so legitimately.) Now, this form of cracking is generally associated with software piracy.
Many ’hackers’ like to use or suggest the terminology ’cracker’ as an alternative to the improper usage of the word hacker. So much terminology, so much misuse. Much terminology has totally lost its meaning due to its regular mis-use. What is the solution to this? There really is none.
Hackers? Crackers? Is there that much of a difference? No, not really. Cracking was originally the exploration of the way software worked to expand your knowledge. Hacking is along the same lines, although specifically applicable to programming, computer security, or just about anything in these areas. Give this some thought next time you find yourself overlapping the use of word onto another.