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Hacker

From Tony Bradley, CISSP-ISSAP, for About.com

Definition: Commonly used to refer to any individual who uses their knowledge of networks and computer systems to gain unauthorized access to computer systems. While often used interchangeably, the term hacker typically applies to those who break in out of curiosity or for the challenge itself rather than those who actually intend to steal or damage data. Hacker purists claim that true hacking is benign and that the term is misused.

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