Difference between Hackers and Crackers

                               Hackers and Crackers

 

 "Hacker" and "cracker" may be similar words, but have quite opposite meanings in the technology world. In general, hackers are individuals who develop and modify computer software and hardware, either by developing new features or by adapting older ones. However, the term cracker is used to designate who practices breaking (or cracking) a security system.

  In practice, the two terms serve to connote people who have computer skills, but each of the "groups" uses these skills in very different ways. Hackers use all their knowledge to improve software legally and never invade a system in order to cause damage. However, crackers have the practice of breaking the security of software and use their knowledge illegally, so they are seen as criminals.

  The denominations were created so that laymen and, especially the media, didn't confuse the two groups. The term "cracker" was born in 1985, and it was the hackers themselves who spread the name in their own defense. The idea was that they were no longer confused with people who practiced theft or vandalism on the internet.

  Although the terms are known worldwide, calling some "good" and others "bad" don't please everyone. There are those who believe that both the hacker and the cracker are skilled and can do the same things, like the programmer Vinicius Camacho. "A person can break software, like crackers do, but don't use the information in an unethical way. The opposite can also happen: a hacker uses his skill maliciously, "he concludes.

  What does that mean? This means that, for him, the term cracker, created to denote an "evil hacker", is quite subjective. For him the most correct terms are those used within the hacker ethic: "White Hat," "Black Hat," and "Gray Hat." "White Hat" hackers are people interested in security and, most of the times, use their skills in favor of companies, being 100% ethical in their actions. It is they who hold the positions of system analyst, IT specialist or other computer jobs.
  Meanwhile, "Black Hat" hackers are criminals and usually specialize in malicious web site intrusions. The "Gray Hat" hackers have the intentions of a White Hat, but their actions are ethically questionable.
  Despite this contradiction within the security professional's own scenario, many programmers still accept the terms hacker and cracker as correct definitions. Several forums about programming, technology blogs, sites like Wikipedia and even dictionaries conceptualize hackers as good professionals and crackers as criminals.

  Source: https://olhardigital.com.br/

Autores: Lucas Santana Martos

               Thiago Corá

2º Ano de Mecatrônica