Date: Sat, 9 Jan 1999 21:14:23 -0800 (PST) From: "Jason C. Wells" <jcwells@u.washington.edu> To: FreeBSD-chat <freebsd-chat@FreeBSD.ORG> Subject: Confused on Hacker/Cracker Definition Message-ID: <Pine.BSF.4.05.9901092054590.18456-100000@s8-37-26.student.washington.edu>
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I have long held the understanding that in computing, a "hacker" fixes things and a "cracker" breaks them. As I continue to try to learn about information security I read many articles. It seems that the distinction between hacker and cracker is blurred in cyberpress. This blurring seems to occur even on computer savvy news sites like cnet, slashdot, and wired. TNHD still provides a negative view on "crackers". Some of these cracker groups seem to claim themsleves as hackers. Is this a bid for credibility akin to a terrorist claiming to be a politician? I am wondering if the meaning of words is shifting and the people that I continue to call cracker are gaining (perceived) credibility enough to be called hacker? Is my understanding outdated? Catchya Later, | UW Mechanical Engineering Jason Wells | http://weber.u.washington.edu/~jcwells/ To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-chat" in the body of the message
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