Black hat (computer security)
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A black hat (black hat hacker or blackhat) is a computer hacker who disobeys laws or violates ethical standards for purposes such as civil disobedience, cybercrime, cyberwarfare, or malice. These acts can range from piracy to identity theft. A black hat is often referred to as a "cracker".
The term originates from 1950s westerns, with "bad guys" (criminals) typically depicted as having worn black hats and "good guys" (heroes) wearing white ones. In the same way, black hat hacking is contrasted with the more law-abiding white hat approach to hacking. Additionally, there exists a third category, called grey hat hacking, characterized by individuals who hack, usually with good intentions but by illegal means.