What is the essential difference between an 'Ethical Hacker' and a 'Cracker'?

What is the essential difference between an 'Ethical Hacker' and a 'Cracker'?

A. The ethical hacker does not use the same techniques or skills as a cracker. 

B. The ethical hacker does it strictly for financial motives unlike a cracker. 

C. The ethical hacker has authorization from the owner of the target.

D. The ethical hacker is just a cracker who is getting paid.

Answer: C

Explanation: The ethical hacker uses the same techniques and skills as a cracker and the motive is to find the security breaches before a cracker does. There is nothing that says that a cracker does not get paid for the work he does, a ethical hacker has the owners authorization and will get paid even if he does not succeed to penetrate the target.