hack
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hack
As a noun, a hack is the source code of a program. For example, the phrase "it must be done through a hack" means someone has to write programming code to solve the problem because there is no...
Dictionary
Definition: hack
As a noun, a hack is the source code of a program. For example, the phrase "it must be done through a hack" means someone has to write programming code to solve the problem because there is no pre-written software that does the job.
As a verb, hack refers to writing a small program or adding code to an existing program to solve a problem in a hurry. A hack often implies writing in a low-level programming language rather than a high-level macro language or application generator that is oriented to the user. It may even mean writing and deploying a patch in machine language. See hacker, patch and machine language.
You're Not Supposed To!
A hack may refer to an enhancement made to a computer-based appliance that is not at all user programmable, such as a video game, music player, TV set-top box or cellphone. For example, a digital media hub (media extender) could be modified to play back additional audio or video formats not supported by the unit. This kind of hacking is done by the serious enthusiast, who first has to find a way to expose the software.
It may require opening the box to reach the chips, using tools such as a screwdriver, wire strippers and soldering iron. For example, to make the iPhone work in a non-AT&T network, the first step in 17-year-old George Hotz's hack required applying voltage to one line on its circuit board. It meant scraping the surface of a single wire trace without breaking the line and soldering a wire to it, a very delicate operation. Subsequently, far less extreme methods were found to successfully unlock the phone.
Geek Humor
From \"The Best of The Joy of Tech\" cartoon book by Nitrozac and Snaggy (O'Reilly Media, Inc., 2003, ISBN 0-596-00578-4). (Image courtesy of GeekCulture, www.geekculture.com)
Hack Everything!
The term is often used to refer to any tip or technique for improving performance or configuring hardware or software; witness these titles from O'Reilly Media, Inc. For information on all the titles in O'Reilly's excellent Hacks series, visit http://hacks.oreilly.com.
THIS DEFINITION IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY
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© 1981-2010 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved.
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US government pays $250,000 for iOS exploit
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Nascar driver plots revenge for Twitter account hack
What do you do when a hacker changes your name on Twitter to his own? You take his name and flaunt it. At least, that's what Nascar driver Mark Martin plans to do next weekend.
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Anonymous hacks U.S. government websites with anti-ACTA messages
Anonymous has defaced a number of U.S. trade-related websites, including the FTC, seemingly in protest over the country's signing to the controversial ACTA agreement.
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Great. Trivial hack gives any Lion user admin access
A security blog has posted a relatively simple way to crack Lion passwords - even from non-admin accounts.
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Anonymous hacks BART police website; publishes officers' info
Anonymous has struck back against BART again, but this time it's personal.
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Anonymous hack San Francisco subway website; Mass user data leaked
Anonymous -- the hacktivist group -- carried out its promise to attack San Francisco's BART website; retaliating after last weeks' protest.
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Quickly filter your online daily deals in Gmail (photos)
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Latest hack gives iPad 3G phone call, texting capabilities
The latest hack from iPhoneIslam brings phone calls and SMS text messaging to the iPad. But is this something that anyone wants?
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PlayStation Network Sign-in is down again due to new security loophole
PSN Sign-in is offline due to new security hole that can reset passwords using just the date of birth and email address -- information that was stolen in the first attack.
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Charlie Miller wins Pwn2Own again with iPhone 4 exploit
Charlie Miller kept his Pwn2Own winning streak intact with another successful hack of an Apple product.
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Hackruiter to sidestep Silicon Valley Tech recruiters
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7 killer feature hacks for Google Chrome
A series of easy to implement hacks to make Chrome work better for you, including cloud print and auto-incognito.
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iPhone 4 jailbroken
OK, first the good news - iPhone 4 owners can now jailbreak their handsets.The hack, called JailbreakMe 2.0 (alternative link), runs through the built-in Safari browser on the iPhone (4, 3GS, 3)...
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Hack lets anybody join the MySpace network on Facebook
My Facebook profile now says I work for MySpace, thanks to what appears to be a sneaky little flaw in MySpace's recently launched e-mail client.
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High-profile New Zealand websites hacked
Hackers appearing to hail from Turkey have struck a number of high-profile New Zealand sites belonging to companies such as Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Xerox and F-Secure.
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Kaspersky denies leaks after SQL hack
The U.S. website of the Russian antivirus vendor was hacked and the company's customer database exposed, but Kaspersky denies data was compromised.
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Crackers claim iPhone 3G hack
The iPhone Dev Team claims to have jailbroken the iPhone 3G, while a former member of the team claims the device has not been unlocked.
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Vista Loader - Working Vista SP1 activation hack
SP1 was supposed to make life tougher for pirates - it doesn't.
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More information on the Vista SP1 activation hack
My post on the Vista SP1 activation hack has generated a lot of feedback (especially in the form of questions) from both individuals and other media outlets. I've put together this post in order...
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