Cracking, also known as breaking, refers to the process of creating a fracture or split in a material. This can occur in various substances, such as metals, glass, or ceramics, often due to stress, pressure, or temperature changes. Cracking can compromise the integrity of the material, leading to failure in structures or objects. In the context of computer security, cracking involves bypassing security measures to gain unauthorized access to systems or data. This can include breaking passwords or exploiting vulnerabilities in software. While some individuals may crack systems for malicious purposes, others may do so to identify weaknesses and improve security.