What is Hacking and Cracking?
Hacker and cracker are terms used to describe people who intentionally seek to access computer systems or networks with dishonest intentions.(1) A cracker may access a system with destructive or malicious intentions (eg to alter data or spread a virus) whereas a hacker is generally motivated by curiosity.(2) 3. Hacking and cracking – unauthorised access and computer trespass offences Hackers and crackers may be criminally liable if they access, or access and continue to examine certain data held on a computing system.(3) Cracking may also involve damage to data and fraud. Be aware of the following examples of unauthorised access: Asynchronous attack: operating system deliberately confused, tasks disoriented or isolated, allowing a window for misuse. Eavesdropping: collection of transmissions from computer including tapping, bugging, capture of signals from peripherals. Masquerading: authorised user is impersonated by stolen password or access device. Piggybacking: unauthorised terminal
