Cracker/Hacker gains access to 2.2 million credit card numbers...

[LordMaul]

CNN.com link

Now, the question is...THINK ABOUT THIS BEFORE YOU ANSWER...this guy got past the security of these servers and achieved access to these numbers. HOWEVER, he has(so far, at least...let's assume he never will for the sake of this question) NOT used them for his own personal gain, and no damage was done.

Do you consider him a cracker or a hacker, for those who know the difference?

 

[Anubis]

Search Much????

 

[Spac3d]

This link was already posted. I refuse to answer your poll.

 

[LordMaul]

Well, I didn't see it, I admit...but the point of this thread was my cracker/hacker question, not just informing.

PAY ATTENTION!

 

[LordMaul]

It's not a repost, dammit! Answer my poll and discuss!

 

[CraigRT]

cracker.

 

[DigDug]

the distinction between the two sounds like something a geek would make.

A love these computer nerds. WhiteHat, BlackHat, what about I'mAFatNerdHat?

 

[LordMaul]

Originally posted by: BlipBlop
the distinction between the two sounds like something a geek would make.

A love these computer nerds. WhiteHat, BlackHat, what about I'mAFatNerdHat?

No, something that an informed person or hacker would make.

Hacker = someone in search of knowledge/does things for the fun or adventure aspect of it
Cracker = someone who breaks into things with the intent of doing harm or for own personal gain

 

[tk149]

I think you set up your hypothetical situation, so that by definition, he's a hacker, not a cracker.

 

[LordMaul]

Originally posted by: tk149
I think you set up your hypothetical situation, so that by definition, he's a hacker, not a cracker.

I didn't change anything exept assume nothing more is going to happen.

So far, since he hasn't done anything, he is, by definition, a hacker, yes? Das gut.

 

[DigDug]

I'm well aware of what it means, but what's the difference really? The "fun" of it is derived from the same situation that the theft comes from. In either case, the person is breaking the law. Why is there some nobility when it's done for "intellectual pursuit". Just a pat on the back for nerds who think they are doing something inherently noble/counter-establisment/progressive because they aren't seeking to steal.

 

[tcsenter]

Crackers must hack in order to crack, there is no clear distinction.

These are slang terms open to vast interpretation. Its like "are you a awesome dude?" or "are you a fly awesome dude?" or "are you fo shizzle my awesome dude?"

Street slang. Hack, crack, its all the same.

Is it "ice" or "meth", or is "ice" really just "crank", or maybe "ice" is neither "crank" nor "meth". The answer is....yes.

And you expect journalists who probably can't figure out how to stop getting viruses on their computers to know slang of a very small 'sub culture' of computer nerds?