hacker
hackers
A hacker is a skilled computer programmer who uses her abilities to break into the computer systems of companies or organizations.
While most people imagine a hacker as a bad guy who steals credit card information, destroys data, or is otherwise malicious and destructive, some hackers break into systems simply to test their security. There are so many hackers today that they've formed a true community and subculture. The earliest use of hacker is from 1983, from hack as "person hired to do routine work," although MIT students in the 1960's reportedly used the word hack to mean "creative prank."
Definitions of hacker
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a programmer who breaks into computer systems in order to steal or change or destroy information as a form of cyber-terrorism
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synonyms:
cyber-terrorist, cyberpunk
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type of:
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coder, computer programmer, programmer, software engineer
a person who designs and writes and tests computer programs
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terrorist
a radical who employs terror as a political weapon; usually organizes with other terrorists in small cells; often uses religion as a cover for terrorist activities
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coder, computer programmer, programmer, software engineer
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a programmer for whom computing is its own reward; may enjoy the challenge of breaking into other computers but does no harm“true hackers subscribe to a code of ethics and look down upon crackers”
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type of:
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coder, computer programmer, programmer, software engineer
a person who designs and writes and tests computer programs
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coder, computer programmer, programmer, software engineer
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someone who plays golf poorly
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type of:
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golf player, golfer, linksman
someone who plays the game of golf
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golf player, golfer, linksman
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one who works hard at boring tasks
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘hacker'.
Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
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