The hacker has evolved. The illicit storming of Microsoft's Hotmail service is the latest example of a more mischievous form of computer code breaking. Contrary to popular belief, most hackers are not malicious. Once completed, a hacker will report the problem to the makers letting them know the system is open to attack.
Some hackers even turn legitimate and are paid by companies to find weaknesses in their systems.
Crackers, however, have no time for this type of softly-softly approach. Its definition has widened and there are now several interpretations. Crackers have often hit the front pages. Earlier this month, a group of crackers calling itself the United Loan Gunmen broke into the Website of ABC television and replaced the home page with a screed of anti-corporate statements. In broken English, the crackers left a message urging individuals to seize control of the media.