Hacker or Cracker?

I am a hacker! yeah,u read it right! "Hacker".

Scared! wait i am not going to do anything like hacking your bank accounts.

Its been like that because the first thing that comes into our mind with this word "hacker" is cyber crime. But, to increase your knowledge, the dictionary meaning of hacker is

HACKER = "Computer enthusiast"

So, everyone in your acquaintance who is having an interest in computers is a hacker.

Now, what we misunderstood is the word cracker with hacker.

CRACKER = "a person who breaks into a computer system, typically for an illegal purpose"

Let's say someone from your neighborhood helped you in setting up or installing software in your system. That person is a "hacker".

But if someone tries to compromise with your privacy lets say by cracking password of your system, this person is referred to as "cracker".

Basically, hacker uses his computer skills in a positive manner and cracker uses the same skill set for illegal activity.

So, from today if you are a non-cs guy/girl, then don't be scared from hackers but be careful from crackers, for sure!!

And if you are a computer enthusiast, then proudly say " Yes! I am a Hacker. " .

P.S. : Yes, I am a hacker too. :D