Wiktionary:Word of the day/2023/October 4

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hacker n

Someone who hacks. One who cuts with heavy or rough blows. One who is inexperienced or unskilled at a particular activity, especially (sports, originally and chiefly golf), a sport such as golf or tennis. [...] [...] (computer security, telecommunications) One who uses a computer to gain unauthorized access to data stored in, or to carry out malicious attacks on, computer networks or computer systems. (by extension, computer security, telecommunications) Synonym of white hat (“a computer security professional who hacks computers for a good cause, or to aid a company, organization, or government without causing harm (for example, to identify security flaws)”) (by extension, video games, slang) Someone who cheats or gains an unfair advantage in a video game by means of a disallowed modification to the game. (computing, dated) One who is expert at programming and solving problems with a computer. (by extension) One who applies a novel method, shortcut, skill, or trick to something to increase ease, efficiency, or productivity. (obsolete) Synonym of hackster (“a violent bully or ruffian; also, an assassin, a murderer”) Something that hacks; a device or tool for hacking; specifically, an axe used for cutting tree branches or wood. (British, regional) A fork-shaped tool used to harvest root vegetables. [...] October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month in the United States.

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