What is the definition of hacking?

The definition of hacking, particularly in the context of computer systems and cybersecurity, is best described as unauthorized access to someone else's computer system. This definition captures the essence of hacking as it involves breaching security measures to gain entry to systems or data without permission. This activity can encompass a range of actions from merely exploring a system to attempting to steal sensitive data or cause damage.

The focus on "unauthorized access" is crucial because it distinguishes hacking from legitimate activities, such as system administration or troubleshooting, where access is permitted and typically under legal terms. Additionally, hacking can vary in its intent—some hackers may aim to expose vulnerabilities (often called ethical hackers or white hat hackers), while others may have malicious intentions (black hat hackers).

Other choices, while related to computing and software, do not align with the commonly understood definition of hacking. Creating software applications and producing security software refer to legitimate programming practices that do not inherently involve unauthorized access. Helping users in their computing tasks, meanwhile, describes a support role that also does not imply any unauthorized actions. Therefore, the first choice is clearly the most accurate definition of hacking.