phacker

phacker

   <communications, security> A telephone system {cracker}.  A
   phacker may attempt to gain unauthorised access to a phone
   system in order to make free or untraceable calls or he may
   disrupt, alter or illegally tap phone systems via computer.

   The disruptions may include causing a phone line to be engaged
   so no calls go in or out, redirecting outgoing or incoming
   calls, as well as listening to actual calls made.

   Phackers are frequently confidence tricksters or phone freaks
   (nuisance callers who can only relate to other people by
   phone).  Phackers are sometimes employed by illegal
   enterprises to conduct business using untraceable calls, or to
   disrupt, or follow legal authorities' investigations.
   Phackers interventions may be lethal to the person being
   phacked.

   A phacker may be a phone company employee, or usually,
   ex-employee who specialises in illegal phone system
   disruption, alteration or tapping via physically altering
   installations.  A phacker is generally considered to be a
   socially and intellectually retarded cracker.

   See {Captain Crunch}.

   (1998-08-09)