note cjf <blockquote><i>However, isn't 'cracker' = 'malicious hacker'?</i></blockquote> <p>The exact definition of a [http://www.tuxedo.org/~esr/jargon/html/entry/cracker.html|cracker] as provided by the jargon file is "One who breaks security on a system." However it also notes that a [http://www.tuxedo.org/~esr/jargon/html/entry/hacker.html|hacker] is, among other things, "A person who enjoys exploring the details of programmable systems and how to stretch their capabilities."</p> <p>It's easy to see how the two definitions can overlap. If I break the security of a system which I am authorized to perform a security audit on, which am I? This isn't a very important difference, the main distinction is more or less based on legality (although there are several exceptions).</p> <p>This may all sound very trivial, it's just a word right? Consider if in a year the major media outlets started using the term "programmer" to refer to computer criminals. Why change the meaning of a word because some reporters don't know what they're talking about?</p> 174523 174554