What is the Difference Between Cracker and Hacker?

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The main difference between a cracker and a hacker lies in their intentions and the nature of their activities. Here are the key differences between the two:

  1. Intentions: Hackers are individuals who hack devices and systems with good intentions, often for a specified purpose or to obtain more knowledge. They never intend to harm, compromise, or damage any system data. In contrast, crackers are people who hack a system by breaking into it and violating it with some bad intentions, often for personal, financial, or other gains without the knowledge or permission of the system owners.
  2. Ethics: Hackers are considered ethical professionals, while crackers are unethical and engage in illegal activities. Hackers are also known as "white hats" who break into networks to discover loopholes and restore security, while crackers are often referred to as "black hats" due to their malicious intentions.
  3. Skills: Hackers possess advanced knowledge of computer frameworks, operating systems, and programming languages. They create programs and software tools and are skilled in multiple codes and languages. Crackers, on the other hand, may or may not have the same level of skill or knowledge as hackers.
  4. Activities: Hackers generally find loopholes in a given system and help cover them to improve security. They are programmers who gather extensive knowledge regarding programming languages. Crackers, however, destroy data by gaining unauthorized access to networks, bypassing passwords of computers and social media websites, and stealing bank details to transfer money from banks.

In summary, hackers are individuals with good intentions who use their skills to improve security and gain knowledge, while crackers are unethical individuals with malicious intentions who engage in illegal activities and violate systems for personal gain.

Comparative Table: Cracker vs Hacker

Here is a table highlighting the differences between a cracker and a hacker:

Parameter Hacker Cracker
Definition Hackers are skilled professionals who hack devices legally with good intentions. Crackers are people who hack a system by breaking into it and violating it with malicious intentions.
Purpose Hackers hack for knowledge purposes or to check the security of a system. Crackers hack to steal data, damage data, or delete vital information for personal or financial benefits.
Skills and Knowledge Hackers have advanced knowledge of programming languages and computer operating systems. Crackers may or may not have advanced skills, but they engage in unauthorized actions.
Ethical vs. Unethical Hackers are ethical professionals who never damage data and work to protect organizations. Crackers are unethical and engage in illegal activities for personal benefit.

In summary, hackers are skilled professionals who hack devices legally with good intentions, while crackers are individuals who break into systems illegally with malicious intentions.