hacker
n. countablen. a person who uses computers to get into other people's systems or data without permission. Sometimes it also describes a very skilled programmer who enjoys finding clever solutions to technical problems. In computing, a hacker is someone who builds or modifies hardware or software for fun, often to make it do something it was not originally intended to do.
n. an individual who uses technical knowledge to gain unauthorised access to computer systems or data. In a broader technical context, refers to a skilled programmer who manipulates code for creative or non-standard purposes. In computing and electronics, this refers to the 'maker' culture of creative tinkering, where individuals modify existing systems or devices to improve them or add new features.
A hacker tried to steal passwords from the company website.
The bank hired a professional hacker to test their security systems and find any weak spots.
While the media often portrays the hacker as a malicious actor, the term originally described enthusiasts who pushed the boundaries of software to improve its efficiency and functionality.
English, Dutch, German and Jewish occupational surname, all from the noun hacker (“one who hacks”). The Jewish form probably arrives via Yiddish העקער (heker), from צעהאַקן (tsehakn) (see German hacken).
Commonly used with modifiers like 'ethical' or 'white-hat' to distinguish security professionals from criminals.