Hacker

A computer hacker is a computer expert who uses their technical knowledge to achieve a certain goal, or overcome a certain obstacle, within a computerized system. Whilst the term "hacker" can refer to any skilled computer programmer, it has become associated in popular culture with a "security hacker". This is someone who utilizes their technical know-how of bugs or exploits to break into computer systems and access data which would otherwise be unavailable to them. Law enforcement agencies sometimes use hacking techniques in order to collect evidence on criminals and other malicious actors. This could include using anonymity tools (such as a VPN, or the dark web) to mask their identities online, posing as criminals themselves. Hacking and cyber-attacks have also been used by State actors as a means of warfare.