hacker

/hækə(ɹ)/ • orig. "hack" + "-er"

1 A person educated or especially self-taught in the use of computer hardware, software and networking, as well as other electronic and/or telecommunications devices, information technology and computer science.

2 a polymath specializing in technology, especially that dealing with computers and communications. A (computer) geek.

3 Someone with the skills to crack (i.e., gain electronic access to) another computer or node on a computer network, but chooses not to use them, unless in the capacity of a penetration testing technician for the purpose of informing the system's owner/administrator of a security hole.

4 Synonym for white hat or grey hat. (a black hat would be a cracker).

5 Often used incorrectly to mean a cracker (i.e., a hacker who uses his skills for mailicious and/or usu. illegal purposes or monetary gain. An Internet cowboy.

6 Someone who hacks. A hacktivist.

Hackers have become incensed by the media's incorrect and inflammatory use of the word hacking to refer to cracking.