Hacker

Ahackeris someone who tries to get into another person's computer usingcomputer software.The computer software could beTrojan horseprograms,computer viruses,and worms. It used to mean someone who likes to do new things withcomputers.The correct name for a person doing these illegal things wascracker,but many news stories used the wordhackereven though it was in error.Another meaning ofhackeris someone who can change or program something, like how people can change or program aFurbyto say something insulting orhumorous.

A person doing something illegal with a computer belonging to someone else without asking for permission from the owner is also called a hacker.

In the recent years computers were becoming increasingly more complex. This also means that people with bad intentions have more opportunities to use them for criminal purposes. Computer engineers aren't always able to find vulnerable places in the computer code. Hackers find such places, and use them.

There are also hackers who use the same skills for good purposes. Such hackers are calledwhite hathackers. They help computer engineers to find vulnerable places and correct problems.

A lot of skills are often required to be a hacker. A hacker should be able to find problems or solutions that most other people cannot find.