ISO27000 and Information Security: A Combined Glossary

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Hackers – hackers break into computer systems. Unlike crackers, they claim that they get permission first and will publish the results of their ‘research’. Hackers have four prime motivations: (1) challenge, to solve a security puzzle and outwit an identified security set-up; (2) mischief, wanting to inflict stress or damage on an individual or organisation; (3) working around, getting around bugs or other blocks in a software system; and (4) theft, stealing money or information. Hackers like to talk about ‘white hat’ and ‘black hat’ hackers; the argument is that the ‘black hat’ hackers are malicious and destructive (i.e. ‘crackers’) while the ‘white hat’ hackers simply enjoy the challenge and are really on the side of good, offering their ...