Hacker Vocabulary


	Vocabulary of "Hackers"

With the increase in publicity given to those who are misusing the Internet and those who are working to prevent this, an update in terms used to describe these individuals is in order.

White-Hat Hacker - Individuals who are "turned on by the intellectual challenge of tearing apart computer systems to improve computer security." May be hired by an organization to test security in their system.

Black-Hat Hacker - Those who delight in stealing passwords, crashing systems, and creating as many problems as possible.

Crackers - Bad guys who are hired to break in to computer systems to steal commercial information for financial gain.

Script Bunnies - "Wannabe hackers with little technical savvy who download..." scripts (programs) designed to automate breaking into computers.

Insiders - Malcontents working alone or with others to compromise the computer systems of their employers. In health care, the primary source of problems.

Last Updated: March 19, 2003

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Vocabulary of "Hackers"