, SEP2605 ASSIGNMENT 2 SEMESTER 2 2025 ANSWERS
DUE DATE: 25 SEPTEMBER 2025
QUESTION 1:
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HACKING AND CRACKING (8 MARKS)
Hacking and cracking are terms often used interchangeably in everyday discourse, but in the
field of information technology, they refer to distinct activities with differing intentions, methods,
and ethical implications. Hacking broadly refers to the exploration, manipulation, or use of
computer systems to identify vulnerabilities, improve system security, or achieve specific
technical outcomes, often without malicious intent. According to Himma (2007), hacking can
be ethical or unethical depending on the purpose, with ethical hacking being conducted to
strengthen cybersecurity defenses and prevent unauthorized access. Hackers typically
analyze systems to understand how they operate and may report security flaws to
organizations for corrective action (Cole, 2018).
In contrast, cracking is inherently malicious, involving the intentional bypassing of security
measures to gain unauthorized access to data, software, or computer systems. Crackers aim
to exploit vulnerabilities for personal gain, data theft, system disruption, or intellectual property
violation. As noted by Erickson (2008), cracking often involves techniques such as password
breaking, software key generation, or the deployment of malware to compromise systems.
Unlike ethical hacking, which emphasizes legal boundaries and responsible disclosure,
cracking is illegal and punishable under cybercrime legislation in most jurisdictions (Brenner,
2010).
Furthermore, the motivation behind these activities distinguishes the two practices. Hackers
may operate out of curiosity, professional necessity, or ethical responsibility to improve system
security, whereas crackers are driven by profit, malice, or the challenge of defeating security
controls (Denning, 1999). In essence, all cracking can be considered hacking, but not all
hacking qualifies as cracking. The distinction is therefore largely ethical and legal rather than
purely technical.
In summary, hacking is a broad term that encompasses both ethical and unethical activities
related to understanding and interacting with computer systems, while cracking is specifically
focused on illegal actions intended to exploit, damage, or steal information. Recognizing this
DUE DATE: 25 SEPTEMBER 2025
QUESTION 1:
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HACKING AND CRACKING (8 MARKS)
Hacking and cracking are terms often used interchangeably in everyday discourse, but in the
field of information technology, they refer to distinct activities with differing intentions, methods,
and ethical implications. Hacking broadly refers to the exploration, manipulation, or use of
computer systems to identify vulnerabilities, improve system security, or achieve specific
technical outcomes, often without malicious intent. According to Himma (2007), hacking can
be ethical or unethical depending on the purpose, with ethical hacking being conducted to
strengthen cybersecurity defenses and prevent unauthorized access. Hackers typically
analyze systems to understand how they operate and may report security flaws to
organizations for corrective action (Cole, 2018).
In contrast, cracking is inherently malicious, involving the intentional bypassing of security
measures to gain unauthorized access to data, software, or computer systems. Crackers aim
to exploit vulnerabilities for personal gain, data theft, system disruption, or intellectual property
violation. As noted by Erickson (2008), cracking often involves techniques such as password
breaking, software key generation, or the deployment of malware to compromise systems.
Unlike ethical hacking, which emphasizes legal boundaries and responsible disclosure,
cracking is illegal and punishable under cybercrime legislation in most jurisdictions (Brenner,
2010).
Furthermore, the motivation behind these activities distinguishes the two practices. Hackers
may operate out of curiosity, professional necessity, or ethical responsibility to improve system
security, whereas crackers are driven by profit, malice, or the challenge of defeating security
controls (Denning, 1999). In essence, all cracking can be considered hacking, but not all
hacking qualifies as cracking. The distinction is therefore largely ethical and legal rather than
purely technical.
In summary, hacking is a broad term that encompasses both ethical and unethical activities
related to understanding and interacting with computer systems, while cracking is specifically
focused on illegal actions intended to exploit, damage, or steal information. Recognizing this
